Feminism.

ROLCAM · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:42 am Post subject: Feminism.

Feminism.

Feminism, is the belief that women should have economic, political, and social equality with men. The term feminism also refers to a political movement that works to gain such equality. This movement is sometimes called the women's liberation movement or women's rights movement.
Feminist beliefs have existed throughout history, but feminism did not become widespread in Europe and the United States until the mid-1800's. At that time, many people regarded women as inferior and less important than men. Such people believed a woman's proper place was in the home. The law reflected this opinion. For example, women were barred by law from voting in elections or serving on juries. Most institutions of higher education and most professional careers were also closed to women. Despite strong opposition, feminism grew in power during the 1800's and 1900's and won a number of new rights for women. Many people regard the feminist movement--and the resulting changes in the status of women--as a turning point in the history of society.
One of the first feminist books was A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) by the British writer Mary Wollstonecraft. In this book, Wollstonecraft described the state of ignorance in which society kept women. She also pleaded for better educational opportunities. Another early feminist writer was the American antislavery leader Sarah M. Grimke. She wrote a pamphlet called Letters on the Equality of the Sexes and the Condition of Woman (1838). Grimke presented a powerful argument against religious leaders who claimed to find support in the Bible for the inferior position of women.
At first, the feminist movement concentrated on gaining legal equality--especially the right to vote, called suffrage. Women in the United States and many European nations finally obtained the vote during the early 1900's.
The feminist movement nearly disappeared after women received the right to vote. During the mid-1900's, however, increasing numbers of women entered the labor force. They found that many high-paying jobs were closed to them. A new concern with economic and social equality helped create a revival of the feminist movement in the 1960's. The National Organization for Women (NOW) and other feminist groups fought to end educational and job discrimination against women. Large numbers of women entered law, medicine, politics, business, and other traditionally male fields. Feminists worked for wider availability of birth control information and legalized abortion. They also called for men and women to share child care and other family responsibilities.
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Roland Camilleri

Moderator

Sydney , Australia.