Is Feminism obsolete? What do you think?

Answer 1

I think first we must define feminism. It is important to understand that feminism is NOT man-hating. Please please please don't be one of those people who think all feminists are egotistical, man-hating, anti-religion, narcissistic jerks. We're just people who hold the feminist idea, which is:

Women are equal to men and, therefore, should be treated equally by the law and by society.

That's not such a radical idea. It's about fairness. Yes, women should register for the draft; I did. Yes, women should receive equal pay for equal work. Women should be protected from violence under the law just as men should be. Many people just hate the word feminist.

Feminism is NOT about violence and hate. It's about tolerance and equality.

Feminism will be obsolete when women get equal pay for equal work, when women have their reproductive rights protected by law, when a woman doesn't have to fear walking home in the dark, when women have equal chances at getting jobs and promotions as men, when a woman can report being raped without fearing being called a liar and a whore, when a woman's value is not based upon how she looks, when women in third world countries are no longer being burned with acid or having their genitals sliced and stitched together, when either everyone or no one has to register for the draft, when men have an equal chance in child custody hearings, when domestic violence and rape are no longer considered "special interest" cases, and when a woman does not have to choose between a career and a family.

Hope I've helped.

Answer 2

If feminism and all it's practices ended today, men and women just might become equal in society, the workplace and even the courts. Instead of women enjoying more rights and far less responsibility, they might be treated equally, so no, feminism is not obsolete. It has gained for women, specific rights that have harmed society as a whole and will continue to do so until society collapses under the weight of favoritism and privilege.

EDIT: It is not only women who need and deserve basic human rights. Men and children do as well. The worn-out phrase "women and children hit hardest" is not only usually untrue, it denigrates men and their effort to insure for their families.
To make the world a better place, it is time for feminism to end it's entitlement mentality and strive for real equality, which must include the rest of society.

EDIT: I'm a little dissappointed to see so few "thumbs down". I was almost certain that the line about equality including the rest of society in being treated equally to women would garner at least 10 of them. I guess no one reads my posts.

Answer 3

What do I think?

I think feminism is an excellent concept. Communism is also an excellent concept, however, and some pretty specific parallels exist between them. (I.e., they were both influenced by Marxism, they both preach a certain kind of equality...)

Think about it. "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." Isn't that great?! EVERYBODY gets what they need!

The problem is that humans don't work that way. "Equality" between men and women (or dogs and cats, red and blue, etc.) can only go so far. Different people are going to have different attitudes about different things. The only way one can changes that is if we make all our genes the same, undergo exactly similar brainwashing, and the like.

With that out of the way, is feminism obsolete? That depends. What is one taking into account? The definition purports to be for "social, political, and other types of equality" between men and women.

It is my belief that this is impossible for the reasons above, although they can be pretty damn close (as they are today). If women can run for office and vote, and if we have women in high positions (like Speaker of the House, senator, running for president...), I ASSUME that we have some semblance of political equality.

If a woman can become an engineer, get an education, and buy a house, I'm pretty sure we have some semblance of equality in the social sphere too.

Can it get any better than that without harming society? I don't think so. Excessive laws are detrimental to a society. Social movements also have repercussions. So is feminism obsolete? I don't think feminism as a political/social movement can really do any more. Teenagers are influenced by music, television, and the internet (popular culture) more than they are by direct rhetoric. We already see women and men in games, shows, and the like. Sexism and racism is always looked down upon in that media, and diversity is celebrated.

Looking at it from that perspective, feminism is probably obsolete. If they are campaigning to try and stop rape, domestic violence, or the "wage gap," and use legislation to do so, they are wasting their time. INSTEAD, they could start donating their funds to eliminating poverty, which helps result in rape/violence to begin with. They could start donating to police offices. Anything but trying to institute more laws, more "agencies," and more propaganda programs. The mentality of society is ALREADY turned over to the side of "equality." If they want to help institute changes, they should start using their funds to produce USEFUL programs.

Maybe even change the movement to "humanism" and acknowledge some discrimination against males.

Answer 4

As long as there are world issues that need to be addressed as far as oppression and inequality feminism will be needed. There is lobbying right now to stop human trafficking (this includes children being sold into sexual slavery). Poverty. Ecology and environemntal issues. Education and research. Up until twenty years ago women were not even included in medical research it was just assumed that they were the same as men as far as signs and symptoms.
New feminism recognizes and supports certain ideas regarding the strengths, perspectives, and roles of women, while advocating the equal worth and dignity of both sexes.
Advocates for furthering the rights of working women and extending parental leave so both parents can be a part of the most important job which is raising a child.

Answer 5

Nothing is obsolete if it keeps changing. Every feminist has her view of what feminism is. However, feminism is changing from women being equal to men to women being superior to men.

Answer 6

If feminism was obsolete, this forum wouldn't exist. It's that simple.

Answer 7

The very nature of mother- daughter relations is 180 degree opposites. This creates a layered effect where grandmother and grand child bond.

(Level 1)We see the great-grand ma's who love banking, driving, and shopping, but miss traditional values.

(Level 2) Next we have the grand-ma's who fought hard for feminism, but kinda came out as "Armed and Dangerous" (metaphorically speaking).

(Level 3) Next we have the mom's who are embarrassed about their mom's and cling to their grand - ma's traditional way.

(Level 4) Last, we have the kids who are "Armed and Dangerous", ah but this is less metaphorical and more tangible. Quick, run 4 the hills!!!

So, feminism is alive in Level 2 & 4, and dormant in Levels 1 & 3. However, with birth control, ages ranges (marketing purposes) cannot be determined as some had childreen early - middle - & late. So this makes the layers messy and harder to quantify.

Answer 8

Pretty much.. unless you're speaking in terms of winding men up.. So much fun!

Answer 9

not sure. sounds like a social catagory... I.E: feminan, masculane, gay/homosexual, liberal, black, white, democrate, republican, conservatist tree hugger. take your pick... someone else may name more.

Answer 10

If its not it should be.