Modern Feminism

Essay by Alessia December 2004

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I would like to start with the fact that many people fear and oppose feminism. The word "feminism" has many connotations. Some include lesbians, feminazis, man-haters, and baby-killers. It is interesting to note that all these words convey some negative feeling. It has become rare to describe feminism as female empowerment or as an organised activity on behalf of women's rights and interests. Why has feminism taken on such a negative meaning? It is a very difficult and disputable issue. In my opinion, any strong and independent woman is labelled as a feminist. Very often a concept "feminist-woman" deals with false assumptions about her sexual preference, cultural beliefs, and general outlook on life. It's not at all easy to describe a feminists, because all of them have their own ideas and beliefs. And in order to point out what feminism actually is we should apply to some traditional view of this concept.

Feminism is traditionally considered to be a social and intellectual movement that seeks to transform individuals and society. Its goal is to create a society that is equitable for all women and man by eliminating discrimination based on gender, race, race, ethnicity, class, age, religion beliefs, sexuality and other negative biases. Many feminists believe that these types of oppression intersect with and intensify each other.

The USA model of feminism describes it as "the gender ideology of society". It is everywhere - in politics, the law, the schools, the universities, the churches, the business world and the family.

I think it is necessary to point out that the term feminism originated in France and is usually associated with British and American women. The so-called first-wave-feminists appeared in 1880s when they advocated for their right to vote. They believed that the emancipation of women hinged on changing relations between...