Feminism and legal theory

Essay by jamilUniversity, Bachelor'sB-, August 2004

download word file, 5 pages 3.4

Feminism

Definition:

Feminism comprises a range of philosophical, political, social and literary projects and attitudes united only by the commitment to take seriously the distinctive experiences of women.

It aims to challenge patriarchy: the traditional idea of feminism's engagement with male oppression in a patriarchal society.

Also to link women's experiences in the private sphere with recognition in the public sphere

Feminism can also be defined as the self conscious creation and vindication of representations of the feminine and the position of women in social reality by women themselves - in contrast to the accepted common sense notion which are imbued by male conceptions - aimed at the emancipation of women.

History

Of all the cultural revolutions of the 20th century, feminism seems destined to have the greatest impact. Women throughout generations have been considered second rate to men, they were not considered in the social structure aswell as the legal structure, i.e.

women could get raped by their husbands in marriages, this is not justifiable, although this was later made illegal, issues like this made the roots of feminism develop. In the UK, feminist groups such as the suffragettes and suffragists were campaigning to give women the right to vote. The suffragettes a pressure group that was based on the motto, 'by any means necessary' used violent methods and as a result many women were arrested and some were even killed campaigning their rights, they were considered to be martyr's. The suffragists were a non-violent group, however both groups did pressure the government in to letting women vote; although there were restrictions at first, the two pressure groups did get women the vote. Feminists believe that history was written from a male point of view and does not reflect women's role in making history and structuring society. Male written...