Is feminism in need of a revamp?

Question

I see four main reasons for this. 1) A lot has been achieved. Possibly new goals should be discussed. There's even some reverse oppression, like divorce/custody laws. 2) Too many (usually young) women are behaving badly and claiming this is just one more "freedom" that they share with men. 3) Women are manifesting too much feminism in their relationship/home with their men. Your romantic relationship should not be a place of political action, and if it is, why are you with this guy? 4) In some (rare, but not negligible) cases, feminist rhetoric is a threat to healthy family structure.
If all you're into is gaining power, then don't revamp it. If you're interested in gaining respect, then I think you'll find a revamp to be very helpful.

Answer 1

A revamp is necessary for respect AND long-term stability. Any movement based upon hatred is never cohesive or long-lasting. Not to say that feminism itself is based upon hatred, but many of the vocal minorities that constituent present feminist thought certainly are misandrous. Your points are certainly valid and more important than some of the more petty concerns about feminism, and should certainly be addressed for long-term benefit and reasonable equality, such as in the eyes of the law and the workplace assuming that a truly equivalent amount of work is performed.

Answer 2

Portwine, you ask consistently valid questions. You are right in saying a lot has been achieved. One thing 1st and 2nd wave feminism has missed the mark on is bringing ALL women together. The first movements were really segregated by race and class.

I am less than inspired by "3rd Wave" - it is similar to the WCTU's "do everything" motto 100 + years ago and needs to have some new goals of feminism established. Women should not behave like men and they have been trying. A revamp is needed to bring respect (finally) into being a woman, a mother, a wife, a teacher, a provider . . . we are an important part of society. We don't need to act like men and many women are trying! We have our own set of strengths that really should be seen with respect, even through our own eyes.

I see your point, and while I don't agree with all of your reasons, I do agree that feminism needs a revamp.

Answer 3

I've never really given feminism much serious thought. On the subject of avoiding pregnancy and death from overstimulation from male 'strength' it may be interesting to think about.

My first thought would be that in general I don't trust the female of the human species. I have experienced very little positive or beneficial from my friendships of the past. To find harmony would or will be difficult. There are so many different desired lifestyles among females. Some prefer complete solitude, others receive enjoyment in being a mother, monogomous marriage, celibate marriage ...I don't see feminism as an active force in society. Should it be? I prefer the feeling of being protected by a man or group of men but men never have been the stereotypical strength, at least not in any obvious, and so, honest, way.

For me the idea of women in the military is ridiculous but then who would be in the military if men are not this sterotypical strength? To create harmony women must have what they need within the spiritual ideal. But who will provide it for them, when the existence of male strength is a detriment to female health?

Answer 4

In case you are not aware there is such a thing as third wave feminism which encompasses the inequality and oppression that is experienced by all woman and doesn't focus specifically on white middle class females. There is also ecofeminism the primary purpose is to fight the mounting problems that are causing this earth to fail because of the humans who continue to ruin the natural environement. Womanism focuses on the experience of women of colour. There are many different kinds of feminism and they are all looking to change oppression, end marginalization, and help to end discrimation.

Estelle Freedman: "Feminism is a belief that women and men are inherently of equal worth. Because most societies privilege men as a group, social movements are necessary to achieve equality between women and men, with the understanding that gender always intersects with other social hierarchies."

Answer 5

I have some issues with what you are saying- your four reasons are not well thought out necessarily
1) Divorce and custody law - you didn't explain what you mean by that 2) If young women behave badly that's their problem/choice and their behavior is not associated with mine 3) Where is your data to back up this assumption? 4) How exactly is feminism a threat? Again no evidence to support your statement

Before you say changes need to happen you need to have evidence, not just ideas.

Answer 6

Yes, you gals should get together and actually define what feminism really is. I mean, are there really any meeting going on or is this just an idea going on in the air. I think a lot of women have taken this word out of content from being something for the betterment of females and converting it to meaning I hate men because they don't do things the way I like them done.

Answer 7

Why don't you work on revamping humanism then? Social movements take a lot of time and energy, and rarely do the people who work in them or teach about them agree on what a movement is, since it's a moving target. Usually the people who write about social movements the most are not the people working on social issues but are the people most upset by the premise or their stereotypes about the social movement...people working on social issues usually don't have the time to define "the movement".

Answer 8

Feminism doesn't need a revamp, feminism needs to stop.

Look at all the rights the original feminists fought for, every single one has been acheived. Why does feminism still exist??

The whole movement is sexist to be honest. How can a woman call herself a feminist and say she is for men and women. That would be a humanist, the 'fem' suffix says it all.

Women can do whatever they want!! why do they need pushy pressure groups telling them that because the president is a man, the whole of society is corrupt and hates women. aka, the patriarchy.

Wow that was quite a rant. Thanks :P

TO BABAYAGA: Everyone uses this place to argue their own opinions, including yourself. It's more of a forum than an answer site, who cares?? It's good to hear other people's views, it broadens your mind. Something which we could all be well to do.

Answer 9

It is in definite need of a revamp. Too many women use feminism as an excuse to model a swimsuit and pose naked. While in one regard, feminism has allowed women more sexual freedom like abortion and birth control rights, many women as well as men are using this freedom as a lame excuse to degrade women.

The foundation of a new feminist movement should be a strong effort to gain respect and later to gain power i.e. women executives, machinist, auto mechanics, politicians etc.

To me feminism should gear itself and its followers to not accept mainstream and/or acceptable acts degrading women.

For example:
Find women who are excelling with out degrading other women and use them as examples
Reject media that depicts women as sexual objects and/or lesser human beings.
Men who objectify women should be considered socially unacceptable, instead of getting their own radio shows.

Often when people go in and buy a magazine or listen to a radio show that degrades women, they may laugh or think that a women is attractive etc. and their basic thought is : at least that is not my mother/sister/daughter/aunt etc.
What modern feminism needs to emphasize is that the woman you are drooling over or laughing at is someones mother/sister/daughter/aunt etc.
There is no difference, and if you feel violated by someone doing the same things to a woman you care about maybe your actions are out of line also.

Answer 10

superb question. First, you are able to settle for that females and adult males are by skill of start distinctive, not unequal, yet distinctive. working example, you suggested training. considering that boys and girls learn optimally by skill of distinctive procedures, do away with coed training. the two genders will pass to a similar college and could socialize at recess and social events, yet all training would be divided by skill of gender.