Essay, Research Paper: Feminism
Feminism
Free Feminism essays posted on this site were donated by users and are provided for informational use only. The free essay on this page was not written by our writers and should not be viewed as a sample of our writing service. We are neither affiliated with the author of this essay nor responsible for its content. If you need high quality, fresh and competent research / writing done on the subject of Feminism, use the professional writing service offered by our company.
The word "feminism" has many connotations. Some include lesbian, feminazi, man-hater, and baby killer. It is interesting to note that all these words convey a negative feeling. It is rare to hear feminism described as female empowerment or as an organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests, which is how it is defined in the dictionary. Why has feminism taken on such a negative meaning?
In this course, feminism has been defined as female empowerment, the recognition of oppression, and the advocation of equality. The syllabus clearly states that academic feminism is not about "male bashing...it is about challenging racist, sexist, classist, and homophobic ideologies in order to theorize about a more equitable society, and it is about transforming some of the existing patriarchal and racist paradigms in order to eliminate oppression." In my opinion, any strong and independent woman would want to be labeled as a feminist. Yet many women are cautious, afraid even, of aligning themselves with the word feminist. "Fear is part of the equation...the justifiable fear of what lies ahead for any woman boldly proclaiming her commitment to empowerment"(Morgan, 55).
Is it because in order to be a feminist, a woman must deal with false assumptions about her sexual preference, cultural beliefs, and general outlook on life? "I dreaded the long, tedious conversations spent exorcising others of the stereotypes that tend to haunt the collective consciousness....when we think of the f-word...male basher, crew cut dyke.."(Morgan, 56). What woman would want to deal with this constant barrage of insults in order to proclaim herself a feminist?
Feminism is often identified with the radical and extreme definition associated with one of its subcategories, Radical Feminism. Radical Feminism emphasized the relationship of women to each other, even going so far as to advocate separatism (women only communes, withholding sex) in order to change the system. Unfortunately, this theory promoted the idea of feminists as lesbians, as man haters who wished to separate themselves from an unjust patriarchal society.
Contemporary mass media has also contributed to the negative attitude surrounding feminism. The term "feminazi", coined by television and radio personality Rush Limbaugh, is defined by anti-feminists as a feminist who is trying to produce as many abortions as possible, hence the term "nazi." Limbaugh is obviously under the misconception that all feminists are pro-choice, which coincides with the whole lesbian/man-hating feeling towards feminism.
Word Count: 395
1
0
GOOD or BAD? How would you rate this essay?
Help other users to find the good and worthy free term papers and trash the bad ones.
Help other users to find the good and worthy free term papers and trash the bad ones.
Need a Custom Written Essay on Feminism: Feminism
Free papers will not meet the guidelines of your specific project. If you need a custom essay on Feminism: Feminism , we can write you a high quality authentic essay. While free essays can be traced by Turnitin (plagiarism detection program), our custom written papers will pass any plagiarism test, guaranteed. Our writing service will save you time and grade.
Related essays:
1
6
Ahmed B. Karim
Antigone Essay (Is Antigone a Feminist/Anti-Feminist Play)
Sunday, Oct. 31, 2000
I think Antigone was a feminist play because of three main facts. Antigone was in all t...
0
3
Feminism /
Feminism 2
What is feminism? By general definition, feminism is a philosophy in which women and their contributions are valued. It is based on social, political and economical equality for women. Feminists c...
3
4
Feminism / A Doll's House: Feminism
Is Feminism really a theme in Ibsen’s, A Doll’s House ?
In Ibsen’s A Doll’s House someone reading the book might say that feminism is a large theme in the story. But is it? I would have to...
0
0
Feminism / Feminism
What is feminism? By general definition, feminism is a philosophy in which women and their contributions are valued. It is based on social, political and economical equality for women. Femi...
1
3
Feminism /
Feminists 2
Final Composition-"Feminism"
Women have a disease, a disease that will prevent them from ever achieving political, social or economic greatness. This "disease" is the need for independancy and sel...

