Final Essay #1

Feminism can be defined many ways and means different things to different people. The definition has also changed throughout the three waves. A quote from the F-Word defines feminism as “the radical notion that women are human beings”- Cheris Kramarae. This definition makes sense to me in some respects but I do not like the fact that it only includes the female gender. Merriam Webster gives two definitions: “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes,” and “organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.” I hate to admit that I, myself, was one of those individuals who thought of most feminists as bitchy, man-hating, obnoxious, lesbians. After taking this class however, I realize that feminism is, for the most part, not like that. Just like there are different types of Democrats, Republicans, Muslims, and Catholics, there are all different kinds of feminists. I think that a good basic definition is that feminism is the idea that women and men should be treated as equals and be given the same respect and consideration as human beings. Like I mentioned before however, there are an endless supply of definitions and one of the things I have learned from this class is that there is not just one right definition. In order to define and better understand what feminism is, it is imperative to discuss the history of the movement. The first wave of feminism in the United States began in the 1880’s. The famous first women’s rights convention was held in Seneca Falls in 1848. This convention fueled the beginning of this newly forming movement. A Declaration of Sentiments was prepared, demanding women receive equal treatment. Everyone knows now however, that it would not prove to be that easy. During this time period slavery was also a hot button issue and several famous abolitionists such as Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth spoke publicly in support of women’s rights. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were on the forefront of this fight. The right to vote was obviously their main focus during this first wave but they were also concerned about other issues such as independent citizenship and the right to work outside the home. Marches, protests, and hunger strikes ensued. Many women were jailed and fined during these frequent demonstrations but this certainly did not stop these courageous women. In 1913 there was the famous demonstration of 10,000 people at President Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration. Alice Paul, the suffragist leading the group was arrested and put in jail with several of the other demonstrators that night. As soon as they were set free, they were at it again. The HBO movie “Iron Jawed Angels” that we watched in class showed just how much courage and resilience women from the first wave had. A light seemed to appear at the end of the tunnel when an amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote, was introduced in 1878. Sadly it was shot down and proceeded to be defeated every year for the next forty years. The 19^th amendment was finally passed and ratified in 1920, giving women the right to vote. Along with the right to vote women had also gained something greater: a voice for themselves. The second wave of feminism, from roughly 1960 to the 1980’s, was all about women getting involved in politics, reproductive rights, gender equality in the workplace, and gaining their independence from men. Not all women were equally included in the first or second wave however. Especially starting in the 2^nd wave, women of color and poor women got very little representation in the movement. Along with racial and class tension came age tensions as well. Older women and younger women, although perhaps agreeing somewhat on what they wanted the end result to be, had very different views about how to go about it. Despite the many tensions however, many important legal battles were won and more and more options were becoming available to many women as a result of the second wave. Although perhaps not as monumental as the gains made in the first movement, the second wave was essential. With the third wave has come the radical idea that there are many different ways to be a woman. If you want to stay at home with your children and be a traditional housewife then that is fine and no woman should be ridiculed for that. If you would like to juggle a career and children then that should be your prerogative. Balancing work and family was mentioned in many of the readings this semester. Belkins article “Opt Out” deals with the concept of having a career and children at the same time and the F-Word has entire chapter devoted to the current state of motherhood. The third wave is often referred to as being post-feminism but I do not think this is the case. I think women are starting to take for granted the rights that we have today because we were not the ones who had to fight to get them. My generation and several before me have always had the right to vote. I also think that women are not banding together as much as they should. Young women especially are not making themselves heard, giving the impression young women simply do not care. We have made much progress but as Rowe-Finkbeiner states in the F-Word, women are still not getting equal pay, motherhood is undervalued, marriage and relationships are being threatened, and women of color have a long ways to go before they reach equality even to white women. Women’s Studies is closely related to feminism for so many reasons. As hooks talks about in FIFE, the introduction of women’s studies courses to campuses has exposed young women to important information about themselves and the women that came before them and provides them with a self haven to share their ideas. I think it is a great thing that people, especially young women (who are still forming ideas about themselves and the world around them) can come together and learn about issues women struggle with. Whether one considers themselves a feminist or not, I think it is important that everyone be aware of the history of women and the many other important things included in the Women’s Studies curriculum. The history of women is a rich and extensive one and is an extremely important part to both the feminist movement and to Women’s Studies. I do not claim to have all the answers and I certainly do not wish to bash those who do consider themselves feminists. In thinking about writing this paper and deciding whether or not I considered myself a feminist or not I realized that there were not many readings this semester that I could use to back up my claims. The chapter in the F-Word about motherhood briefly touched on the fact that women should be able to choose what kind of feminist they were, traditional or not, which I found refreshing but most of the other articles all included ideas that I simply do not agree with. Despite the fact that I have a more positive view of feminism after taking this course I still do not consider myself a feminist. Although I have learned that just because I do not agree with all the feminist “issues” does not mean I cannot be a feminist I personally do not wished to be labeled as such. I am extremely pro-choice because of my religion and with reproductive rights being central to so many feminist ideas I do not feel comfortable wearing the feminist label. Another issue I have with feminism is that I feel that by simply labeling the movement “feminism,” women themselves are going against the very ideals they so vehemently try to uphold. Why call it feminism if women and men are to be treated equal? Why not include both of the genders instead of just women?

Sources:

The F-Word: Feminism in Jeopardy by Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner

Iron Jawed Angels, HBO

“Feminist Education for Critical Consciousness” (a chapter in Feminism is For Everybody by bell hooks)

“The Opt Out Revolution” by Lisa Belkin