Feminism: definition, history, and contemporary examples

Feminism

The concept of feminism is not new, although it is often associated with the latter half of the twentieth century. However, assuming this is correct is an error. The aim of this paper is to look at the concept of feminism, first defining what it is, and then looking at how it is developed and how it may be seen today.

Feminism refers to an ideology in which the position of women is advanced with the aim of gaining equality; meaning that they are able to gain the same rights as men (Offen, 1988). The concept of equality refers to political, economic, and legal rights (Offen, 1988). The underlying concept is that women also need to have equal access to resources, such as education and health care, as well as equal opportunities in the workplace (Freedman, 2003; Offen, 1988).

While the movement and progress of the ideas may be associated with the second half of the 20th century, there are many examples of early theorists supporting the idea of equal rights. In some books these may be referred to as 'proto-feminists'(Freedman, 2003). By looking at some of the history, the long road to the current status of feminism may be appreciated.

One of the first records of calls for equal rights for women is seen in the work of Plato (Baruch, 1988). Plato argued for both sexual and political equality for women, believing they could play important roles both in rolling and fighting (Baruch, 1988). Moving forward to the 14th century, Christine de Pizan wrote specifically denouncing misogyny, and calling for equality in a book originally written in French, the title translated reads "Epistle to the God of Love" (de Beauvoir, 1988). Through the ages there have been numerous examples of individuals, both male and female, arguing for female equality.

The potential of equal rights to women became more prominent during the Enlightenment, when many philosophers examined influences on society, and the role of women in society. The philosopher Jeremy Bentham, and the well-known novelist Mary Wollstonecraft both expressed views that today would be classified as feminist (Freedman, 2003). Jeremy Bentham stated that his decision to become a reformist was stimulated at the age of 11 years, when he realized that women had an inferior position under the law (Williford, 1975). He argued that there should be a total equality between the genders, including the right of women to vote, as well as take part in government (Williford, 1975). Bentham also argued against dual moral standards, which were different for men and women (Williford, 1975). Furthermore, he introduced a number of arguments in his book "Principles of Morals and Legislation," published in 1781, undermining the argument that women had inferior intellect (Williford, 1975).

In the context of feminism, it maybe argued that the author Mary Wollstonecraft could be classified as the first feminist philosopher. In 1792 she published "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman," which may be argued as the first clearly feminist publication (Brody, 1983). In a publication Wollstonecraft wrote about social factors that held women back and created inequality. She argued that the different treatment given to female children, including a less comprehensive education, as well as different expectations, continued to perpetuate inequality (Brody, 1983). Interestingly, she noted that the inferior position of women in society was not just the fault of men, but also the fault of women which accepted their position as inferior, and allowed the inequality to continue (Brody, 1983).

In the 19th century, despite opposition from society, and even Queen Victoria, more outspoken feminist views began to be expressed. In 1843, Marion Reid, a Scottish woman published "A Plea for Woman" which not only identified inequality, it also called more openly for women's rights, specifically the right for women to vote (Crawford, 2006).

During the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century the move towards feminism gains pace. The period that historians refer to as the 'first wave' is seen at this time, with one of the best well-known historical feminist movements (Freedman, 2003). It was at the end of the 19th century, the beginning of the 20th century that the foundations were laid for the suffragettes, women who were fighting to win women the right to vote (Freedman, 2003). In the United States the leaders of the feminist movement started out as activist female groups seeking to increase social equality, starting by calling for slavery to be abolished, as well as temperance (Freedman, 2003). They then called for equal rights for women. The first wave of feminism is generally classified as ending in 1920, when the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed (Freedman, 2003). It is notable, that similar social movements were occurring elsewhere, as seen with family Emmline Pankhurst and has suffragettes in London who formed the Women's Social and Political Union in 1903 (Freedman, 2003).

The feminist movement continued, although attention was diverted with two world wars, and a major depression. The period referred to as the second wave feminism refers to the period starting at the beginning of the 1960s, and continues through until the end of the 1980s. During this period feminism becomes more of a political issue, and it is during this period that in a number of countries equality legislation was introduced, the started to help create a greater level of equality in the workplace, including the Equal Rights Amendment in the United States, which itself faced opposition prior to ratification (Freedman, 2003). The 1960s and 1970s had seen a movement towards a greater level of equality, with more women enrolling in post compulsory education, and the subject of feminism being taken up by academia, which probably helped to support the movement (Freedman, 2003). One of the most well-known books of this time was "The Female Eunuch," written by Germaine Greer. Issues dealt with by the feminist during this time also included gender expectations, and female views on pornography and gender wars (Freedman, 2003).

The third wave of feminism begins during the beginning of the 1990s, and was a response to the second wave, and the way in which many women of the 1990s felt that previous feminist actions have failed (Freedman, 2003). The third wave feminists challenge the assumptions made by their predecessors, and incorporated a greater level of inclusion for women of different ethnic origins, rather than focusing on the experience of white females, and emphasized female empowerment (Freedman, 2003).