Feminism, like many political ideologies, is impossible to exactly define. It means something different for each individual. It’s been in the news and social media a lot recently, thanks to celebrities (especially female celebrities) speaking up and highlighting injustices that even the rich and famous face, because of their gender. The basic idea of feminism seeks to advance the cause of women’s rights, including tackling the pay gap between men and women (in the UK, men get paid up to 20% more than women for the same work). It also promotes change in how women are viewed by men – and that women should be the total social, political, and economic equals of men.
Depending on what media you use, feminism is portrayed in vastly differing lights. Much of the left wing, online-based press like Buzzfeed portrays feminism as a positive movement that will benefit everyone. Theoretically, it will – if women are allowed to become the total equivalents of men, it takes the pressure off, which could reduce anxiety and depression in men caused by the stress of being the “breadwinner”. However, if you consult the more right-wing press, you’ll find it’s depicted far less favourably. This kind of press are keen to show feminists doing disruptive things, behaving like extremists/terrorists, and they’ve even been given the nickname “feminazi”. In this case, it’s likely feminists will be shown as men-hating lesbians, which is doubly insulting for women and the LGBT community.
The broadest definition of feminism relates to equality – that’s social equality (being able to do the same things without being judged, as men are), political equality (equal representation, and an equal voice in the community) and economic equality (being able to possess or acquire the same amount of money for doing the same thing as a man). In truth, this is what feminism is about, and what most feminists agree is the end goal. By advancing the status of women, and by focusing upon that solely, society will benefit. Men will reap the rewards of feminism alongside the women, but only if they help by taking a step back, and not trying to lead the feminist movement.
Feminism has a very long history, and the struggle for women’s rights is a very long one. It probably goes back to before ancient times in Greece, and one can find lots of examples in Ancient Egypt. For instance, people were worried about Nefertiti’s political power. In the Middle Ages, nothing much had really changed, as women were still confined to the home and the role of homemakers. Feminism and women’s rights have only really advanced in the last 2 centuries – women have had the vote on an equal basis with men for less than 100 years, in the UK. Even nowadays, we’ve still got a long way to go. Women are still seen as unequal to men, even if it’s only subconscious. They struggle to get their voices heard, or to be taken seriously, in both education and the workplace. Plus, there’s the gender pay gap, and social stereotypes of women that slow down their progress through society. That’s exactly what feminism seeks to prevent.
Image from: http://www.sparksummit.com/2012/11/14/feminism-what-it-is-and-why-it%E2%80%99s-still-important/
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