Mary Wollstonecraft, an early feminist thinker emphasises the problems of gender inequality – she clearly states that it is not about women being above men, but rather being on the same level as men. This kind of thinking is the message this article aims to achieve. However, I hope to focus on how feminism has evolved since Wollstonecraft, and how it now aims to focus more on intersectionality and empowering men to get involved in the movement.
THE MOTHER OF FEMINISM
Mary Wollstonecraft: “I do not wish them [women] to have power over men; but over themselves” (A Vindication of the Rights of Women)
Whilst the first wave of Feminism began in 1848, it is important to note that French Revolution played a crucial part in feminist thinking. Feminism became an important sub-plot of the revolution, highlighting the concerns of a society built on patriarchy. Mary Wollstonecraft, a hugely influential women’s rights activist fought back against revolutionary ideals of a hierarchal and unequal society.
Wollstonecraft thus published A Vindication of the Right of Women, a ground-breaking piece of feminist literature that states women have been treated as inferior beings for too long.
However, this is because women have not been educated in the same way men have.
She argues that women would also be able to contribute important visionaries of the Revolution too if they were given the same level of education. This in turn, would create a functioning, logical social order founded on reason.
Her writings therefore became a catalyst for the feminist movements to come.
HOW CAN WE DEFINE FEMINISM?
TO PUT IT SIMPLY, FEMINISM IS ABOUT EQUALity AND EQUITY FOR ALL.
Throughout the Feminist movements, what it means to be a Feminist and what Feminism aims to achieve has changed overtime. In the early movements, race and class were not taken into consideration. However, in the 21st century, the feminist movement has strongly progressed in its foundations on intersectionality and inclusivity.
DEMISTIFYING THE MISCONCEPTIONS:
Misandry: A misandrist is a person who hates men. It is true, that some ‘feminists’ are misandrists. However, it is a very small percentage. This matriarchal structure is NOT what feminism stands for. It stands for equality and more importantly, equity.
The Merriam Webster dictionary very importantly highlights that “the best example of why not all feminists are misandrists is the fact that men can be feminists”.
‘IT’S ALL MEN’: When Sarah Everard was sadly murdered by a male officer from the Metropolitan Police, women’s safety became even more compromised and became a growing concern. However, some people decided to begin a hashtag that it is ‘not all men’. This hashtag emphasised a huge misconception of feminism. The original hashtag [Sarah Everard] was meant to stress that inequality and misogyny still exists. More importantly, it was meant to spread awareness. Jameela Jamil captured the essence of this misconception:
YOU HAVE TO BE A WOMAN TO BE A FEMINIST: This is untrue. If you believe that men and women should have equal rights, you are a feminist!
IT’S TIME FOR EVERYONE TO ADDRESS THE OPPRESSION.
If Feminism is also about removing the idea of traditional gender roles, this does not simply just benefit women, but also men. For a long time, there has been pressure on ‘being a man’. This stereotype includes repressing emotions and not being able to be vulnerable.
This has a significant effect on men’s mental health. Vulnerability is not ‘a girl thing’.
Feminism thus strives for a world where we can remove ideas about ‘acting like a man’ and ‘acting like a girl’ and instead focus on being a kind, empowering society.
Sources:
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-feminism
https://wgs.eku.edu/what-feminism-0
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misandrist
An article on the history of women’s rights: https://www.vox.com/2018/3/20/16955588/feminism-waves-explained-first-second-third-fourth.
How to be an ally: https://www.hercampus.com/school/nottingham/dear-men-how-to-be-an-ally-to-women/