define feminism essay

Essay on Feminism

500 words essay on feminism.

Feminism is a social and political movement that advocates for the rights of women on the grounds of equality of sexes. It does not deny the biological differences between the sexes but demands equality in opportunities. It covers everything from social and political to economic arenas. In fact, feminist campaigns have been a crucial part of history in women empowerment. The feminist campaigns of the twentieth century made the right to vote, public property, work and education possible. Thus, an essay on feminism will discuss its importance and impact.

Importance of Feminism

Feminism is not just important for women but for every sex, gender, caste, creed and more. It empowers the people and society as a whole. A very common misconception is that only women can be feminists.

It is absolutely wrong but feminism does not just benefit women. It strives for equality of the sexes, not the superiority of women. Feminism takes the gender roles which have been around for many years and tries to deconstruct them.

This allows people to live freely and empower lives without getting tied down by traditional restrictions. In other words, it benefits women as well as men. For instance, while it advocates that women must be free to earn it also advocates that why should men be the sole breadwinner of the family? It tries to give freedom to all.

Most importantly, it is essential for young people to get involved in the feminist movement. This way, we can achieve faster results. It is no less than a dream to live in a world full of equality.

Thus, we must all look at our own cultures and communities for making this dream a reality. We have not yet reached the result but we are on the journey, so we must continue on this mission to achieve successful results.

Impact of Feminism

Feminism has had a life-changing impact on everyone, especially women. If we look at history, we see that it is what gave women the right to vote. It was no small feat but was achieved successfully by women.

Further, if we look at modern feminism, we see how feminism involves in life-altering campaigns. For instance, campaigns that support the abortion of unwanted pregnancy and reproductive rights allow women to have freedom of choice.

Moreover, feminism constantly questions patriarchy and strives to renounce gender roles. It allows men to be whoever they wish to be without getting judged. It is not taboo for men to cry anymore because they must be allowed to express themselves freely.

Similarly, it also helps the LGBTQ community greatly as it advocates for their right too. Feminism gives a place for everyone and it is best to practice intersectional feminism to understand everyone’s struggle.

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Conclusion of the Essay on Feminism

The key message of feminism must be to highlight the choice in bringing personal meaning to feminism. It is to recognize other’s right for doing the same thing. The sad part is that despite feminism being a strong movement, there are still parts of the world where inequality and exploitation of women take places. Thus, we must all try to practice intersectional feminism.

FAQ of Essay on Feminism

Question 1: What are feminist beliefs?

Answer 1: Feminist beliefs are the desire for equality between the sexes. It is the belief that men and women must have equal rights and opportunities. Thus, it covers everything from social and political to economic equality.

Question 2: What started feminism?

Answer 2: The first wave of feminism occurred in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It emerged out of an environment of urban industrialism and liberal, socialist politics. This wave aimed to open up new doors for women with a focus on suffrage.

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Feminism 101: Definition, Facts, and Ways to Take Action

Feminism refers to a range of ideas and socio-political movements centered on the belief that women face unequal treatment because of their gender, and that society must establish equality of the sexes.

Feminism believes all sexes and genders deserve equal economic, social, and political rights and freedoms. For centuries, feminist movements have sought to improve the status of women and girls in society through campaigns such as the right to vote, the pro-choice and reproductive freedom movements, and the right to equal pay. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the basics of feminism , including its definition, important facts, and how people can take action.

What’s the definition of feminism?

At its core, feminism is about equality of the sexes. However, because feminism refers to the full range of ideas and socio-political movements that have developed over the years, a more accurate definition is more complex. To get a clearer view, let’s consider the phases (often known as “waves”) of feminism.

The first wave

There have always been people fighting for women’s rights, but the term “feminism” or “feminisme” in the original French, wasn’t coined until 1837. Utopian Socialist Charles Fourier was the first to associate the term with women’s rights . By the 1890s, the term was popular in America and Great Britain, but the first wave of feminism had already begun. In America, Great Britain, and New Zealand, activists were pushing for voting rights for women. In 1893, New Zealand gave some women the vote in national elections. In 1920, America followed, and then Great Britain in 1928.

The second wave

Feminism always included diverse groups of women, but white women had gotten the most attention as feminism’s figureheads. In the 1960s and 70s, that started to shift with the Civil Rights movement, the fight for reproductive rights, the fight for equal pay, and the establishment of more women’s studies departments at universities. In 1965, the Voting Rights Act in the US finally gave all Black Americans the full right to vote, while in 1973, the Supreme Court ruled that abortion was a constitutional right. While the first wave of feminism focused on voting rights for a select group of women, the second wave expanded the definition of feminism to include economic rights for all women.

The third wave

Rebecca Walker, daughter of Alice Walker, coined the phrase “third wave ” after watching the 1991 Anita Hill hearings, where Hill, a lawyer, testified that Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas had sexually harassed her. The hearings drew attention to the lack of protection still facing women in the workplace and society at large. After Clarence Thomas was confirmed, a record number of women entered politics. The “riot grrl movement” was also vital to third-wave feminism. Feminist musicians began exploring topics like sexism, abuse, racism, sexuality, and more through their music.

While the third wave was less cohesive than the first and second waves, it built on what came before and emphasized the work still to be done.

Feminism today

The waves of feminism are very Western-focused, so they don’t represent a perfect encapsulation of feminism. In many places, women and girls still lack the basic rights others take for granted, such as the right to an education and full voting rights. Globally, women are also facing increased threats to reproductive freedom, even in places where progress has been won. In response to these worldwide threats and with the help of new technologies and literature, the feminism of today is intersectional, inclusive, anti-racist, and multicultural.

What five facts should everyone know about feminism?

People have been writing books and articles about feminism and feminist ideas since the 1800s, but here are the five most important facts everyone should know:

#1. Feminism is not about hating men

Feminism as it’s represented in mainstream media can seem like it’s about hating men. There are countless jokes and memes making fun of men and claiming everything would be better if women were in charge. While this type of commentary is often an ironic response to the centuries of hatred and harm women have endured, it can muddy the definition of feminism. Feminism is not about switching the power hierarchy so women are in charge and men are beneath them. It’s about equal rights and freedoms. When men have been prioritized for so long, any change can feel like an attack, but the reality is, feminism wants to make things equal and fair.

#2. Feminism has racism in its history

Feminism is about equality, but certain branches of feminism have not always taken that seriously. During the suffrage era, wealthy white feminists were only interested in the rights of other wealthy white women. They did not consider Black women equals. This trend has continued today, leading to critiques of “white feminism.” This is a type of feminism that centers the needs and goals of white women while ignoring the multi-faceted oppression faced by women of color. Since the 1990s, intersectional feminism (a term coined in 1989) has sought to explain and address the layers of oppression women of color and other minoritized communities deal with.

#3. Feminism wants to make systemic changes

Feminism wants to address the cultural worldviews and everyday interactions that amplify and sustain sexist attitudes, but systemic change is just as important. That includes changing workplace policies, economic legislation, and other structural institutions that prioritize men, limit women’s rights, and reinforce heteronormative, restrictive gender roles. As an example, a feminist approach to childcare and maternity leave must include paternity leave. Only providing maternity leave reinforces the false belief that mothers alone are responsible for caregiving and child-rearing, while fathers don’t play a significant role. Systemic changes tackle gender inequality and discrimination at the root.

#4. Anyone can be a feminist

Feminism isn’t a worldview only women can hold and promote. Anyone who believes in equality of the sexes and women’s liberation is a feminist. While not everyone identifies with the term “feminist” (“womanist” is the preferred term for many Black feminists and other feminists of color), the sentiment remains true. People of all genders can be feminists and fight for equal rights and freedoms. Why would someone not consider themselves a feminist? It’s often because they have a specific definition in mind. Some people believe feminism promotes a victim complex, a hatred of men, or a hatred for women who chose to be wives and mothers. If everyone understood the true definition of feminism, very few people would find fault with it.

#5. The world still needs feminism

After the victories of the second-wave feminist movement, many people believed we didn’t need feminism anymore. The third wave was a direct response to this belief, but even today, some still question the need for a strong feminist movement. You only need to glance around the world to see why it’s still vital. Reproductive rights are under attack, COVID-19 set back gender equality significantly, women are leaving the workforce, and women perform 2.5 times more unpaid labor than men. According to the Global Gender Gap Index, there are still major gaps in political empowerment, as well as economic participation and opportunity. No country has reached total gender equality, while some are experiencing declines. As long as there’s still work to be done, the world needs feminism.

Do you feel feminist organizations address the threats and challenges facing women and girls today?

• Yes, they’re doing a great job
• Yes, but there are many areas where they can improve
• No, they fail to address the threats and challenges

View Results

How can you take action to support feminism?

If you believe in gender equality, what can you do to support feminist values? Here are five ways to take action:

#1. Donate to gender equality organizations

There are hundreds if not thousands of organizations committed to gender equality. Some focus exclusively on the rights of women and girls, while others prioritize gender equality among other goals. You can donate to organizations supporting education, healthcare, water and sanitation, food security, employment, legal protections, and much more. Websites like Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, and GuideStar can help you find organizations that align with your values.

#2. Educate yourself

Education alone doesn’t change the status quo, but if you want to get more involved in feminist movements, you should understand its history, its major figures, its ideas, and so on. You can find books by searching for curated lists online and by typing “feminism” into online retailers like Bookshop.org. There are also great essays , videos, courses and other feminist content available online.

#3. Focus on local feminist issues

While technology lets you give money to just about any organization in the world, you can have the most direct impact by focusing on local issues. No matter where you live, there will be something you can do to help improve the state of gender equality in your community. Check for local organizations and grassroots groups. They’ll run a variety of campaigns throughout the year but will accept money at any time.

#4. Volunteer or work for a feminist organization

Organizations need money for their operations, but they need people, too. Employees and volunteers are the lifeblood of feminist organizations; without them, progress is impossible. Connect with local organizations if you’re able to do in-person work, and if you can’t, look for organizations that use remote volunteers or employees. Even if you’re only able to volunteer during a limited timeframe or for a specific campaign, it makes a difference.

#5. Support women in politics

Despite some progress in many countries, women are underrepresented in politics. You can take action by supporting organizations dedicated to empowering women in politics, voting for candidates with good track records on gender equality, and donating to female candidates who reflect your values. Remember, not every female politician will support policies that advocate for gender equality and feminism. You should always research a candidate before supporting them.

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Literary Theory and Criticism

Home › Feminism: An Essay

Feminism: An Essay

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on April 27, 2016 • ( 6 )

Feminism as a movement gained potential in the twentieth century, marking the culmination of two centuries’ struggle for cultural roles and socio-political rights — a struggle which first found its expression in Mary Wollstonecraft ‘s Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792). The movement gained increasing prominence across three phases/waves — the first wave (political), the second wave (cultural) and the third wave (academic). Incidentally Toril Moi also classifies the feminist movement into three phases — the female (biological), the feminist (political) and the feminine (cultural).

The first wave of feminism, in the 19th and 20th centuries, began in the US and the UK as a struggle for equality and property rights for women, by suffrage groups and activist organisations. These feminists fought against chattel marriages and for polit ical and economic equality. An important text of the first wave is Virginia Woolf ‘s A Room of One’s Own (1929), which asserted the importance of woman’s independence, and through the character Judith (Shakespeare’s fictional sister), explicated how the patriarchal society prevented women from realising their creative potential. Woolf also inaugurated the debate of language being gendered — an issue which was later dealt by Dale Spender who wrote Man Made Language (1981), Helene Cixous , who introduced ecriture feminine (in The Laugh of the Medusa ) and Julia Kristeva , who distinguished between the symbolic and the semiotic language.

The second wave of feminism in the 1960s and ’70s, was characterized by a critique of patriarchy in constructing the cultural identity of woman. Simone de Beauvoir in The Second Sex (1949) famously stated, “One is not born, but rather becomes a woman” – a statement that highlights the fact that women have always been defined as the “Other”, the lacking, the negative, on whom Freud attributed “ penis-envy .” A prominent motto of this phase, “The Personal is the political” was the result of the awareness .of the false distinction between women’s domestic and men’s public spheres. Transcending their domestic and personal spaces, women began to venture into the hitherto male dominated terrains of career and public life. Marking its entry into the academic realm, the presence of feminism was reflected in journals, publishing houses and academic disciplines.

Mary Ellmann ‘s Thinking about Women (1968), Kate Millett ‘s Sexual Politics (1969), Betty Friedan ‘s The Feminine Mystique (1963) and so on mark the major works of the phase. Millett’s work specifically depicts how western social institutions work as covert ways of manipulating power, and how this permeates into literature, philosophy etc. She undertakes a thorough critical understanding of the portrayal of women in the works of male authors like DH Lawrence, Norman Mailer, Henry Miller and Jean Genet.

In the third wave (post 1980), Feminism has been actively involved in academics with its interdisciplinary associations with Marxism , Psychoanalysis and Poststructuralism , dealing with issues such as language, writing, sexuality, representation etc. It also has associations with alternate sexualities, postcolonialism ( Linda Hutcheon and Spivak ) and Ecological Studies ( Vandana Shiva )

Elaine Showalter , in her “ Towards a Feminist Poetics ” introduces the concept of gynocriticism , a criticism of gynotexts, by women who are not passive consumers but active producers of meaning. The gynocritics construct a female framework for the analysis of women’s literature, and focus on female subjectivity, language and literary career. Patricia Spacks ‘ The Female Imagination , Showalter’s A Literature of their Own , Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar ‘s The Mad Woman in the Attic are major gynocritical texts.

The present day feminism in its diverse and various forms, such as liberal feminism, cultural/ radical feminism, black feminism/womanism, materialist/neo-marxist feminism, continues its struggle for a better world for women. Beyond literature and literary theory, Feminism also found radical expression in arts, painting ( Kiki Smith , Barbara Kruger ), architecture( Sophia Hayden the architect of Woman’s Building ) and sculpture (Kate Mllett’s Naked Lady).

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The Core Ideas and Beliefs of Feminism

The ongoing struggle to achieve gender equality

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• Important Figures
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Feminism   is a complex set of ideologies and theories, that at its core seeks to achieve equal social, political, and economic rights for women. Although feminism benefits everyone, its aim is to achieve equality for women, because prioritizing those who are most oppressed means freeing everyone else. Since men's rights are already secured and institutionally protected, feminism does not aim to help men.

The Origin of the Word "Feminism"

While it is common to see the word "feminist" used for figures such as Mary Wollstonecraft  (1759–1797), the terms feminist and feminism were not used in the modern sense until a century after her 1792 book " A Vindication of the Rights of Women " was published.

The term first appeared during the 1870s in France as féminisme —although there has been some speculation that it may have been used before then. At the time, the word referred to women's freedom or emancipation.

In 1882, Hubertine Auclert, a leading French feminist and a campaigner for women's suffrage, used the term féministe to describe herself and others working for women's freedom. In 1892, a congress in Paris was described as "feminist." This launched a more widespread adoption of the term in the 1890s, with its use appearing in Great Britain and then America beginning about 1894.

Feminism and Society

Almost all modern societal structures are patriarchal and are constructed in such a way that men are the dominant force in making the majority of political, economic, and cultural decisions. In large part, this is the case due to colonization and imperialism by Europeans. Part of the cultural erasures perpetrated by imperialism involved eliminating the many existing matrilineal societies across the world and instituting Western patriarchy instead. Feminism focuses on the idea that since women comprise one-half of the world population, true social progress can never be achieved without the complete and spontaneous participation of women.

Feminist ideals focus on what culture is like for women as compared to what the world is like for men. Feminist scholars study the ways in which women are not treated equally to men.

Feminist ideology considers in which ways culture can and should be different across genders: Do different genders have different goals, ideals, and visions? There's a great deal of value placed on the importance of moving from point A (the status quo) to point B (female equality) through a statement of commitment to behavior and action to produce that change.

Feminism is not only about protecting the lives and rights of cisgender, heterosexual women, but also queer, transgender, and gender-expansive people. Feminism also considers the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, class, and other factors, particularly since, in many cases, those who live at those intersections (trans women or women of color, for instance) are the most vulnerable. Scholars and activists have considered these intersections and developed frameworks for what feminism means through this lens. One such foundational statement is the 1977 Combahee River Collective Statement . Developed by a collective of Black feminists, the statement delves into the complexities and challenges of feminism as it intersects with the politics and identities of race, sexuality, and class, and provides a fuller idea of what feminism means for those who are not cisgender, heterosexual, and White.

Feminism and Sexuality

One arena in which women have long been oppressed is with regard to sexuality, which includes behavior, sexual interactions, posture, and exposure of the body. In patriarchal societies, men are expected to be the commanders, standing tall and allowing their physical presence to represent their role in society, while women are expected to be quieter and more subservient. Under such societal conventions, women are not supposed to take up much space at the table, and most certainly, they should not be seen as a distraction to the men around them.

Feminism seeks to embrace female sexuality and celebrate it, as opposed to so many societal conventions that condemn women who are sexually aware and empowered. The practice of elevating sexually active men while denigrating sexually women creates a double standard across genders.

Women have long been subjected to sexual objectification by men. Many cultures still cling to the notion that women must dress so as to not arouse men, and in many societies, women are required to fully cover their bodies.

On the other hand, in some so-called enlightened societies, female sexuality is routinely exploited in the mass media. Scantily clad women in advertising and full nudity in movies and television are commonplace—and yet, many women are shamed for breastfeeding in public. Sex workers—the majority of whom are women and queer folks—are institutionally disadvantaged and among the most vulnerable, while also being excluded even from some so-called feminist circles. These conflicting views on female sexuality create a confusing landscape of expectations that women and men must navigate on a daily basis.

Feminism in the Workforce

There are many differences within the constellation of feminist ideals, groups, and movements related to workplace unfairness, discrimination, and oppression that result from the real disadvantages women experience. Feminism assumes that  sexism , which disadvantages and/or oppresses those identified as women, is not desirable and should be eliminated, however, it continues to be an issue in the workplace.

Unequal salaries are still pervasive in the workforce. Despite the Equal Pay Act of 1963, on average, a woman (on average) still earns only 80.5 cents for every dollar a man earns. This varies significantly when race is factored in, however. As of 2018, White women earned about 79 cents for each dollar a man earned, while Asian women earned 90 cents—but Black women earned only 62 cents, Latinx or Hispanic women earned only 54 cents, and Indigenous women earned only 57 cents. According to  data from the U.S. Census Bureau , women's median annual earnings in 2017 were $14,910 less than that of their male counterparts.

What Feminism Is and What it Isn't

There is a common misconception that feminists are reverse sexists, however, unlike male sexists who oppress women, feminists do not seek to oppress men. Rather, they seek equal compensation, opportunities, and treatment across genders.

Feminism seeks to achieve equal treatment and opportunity for women in order to achieve similar opportunities across different fields of work and culture and equal respect in a variety of roles. Feminists theorists often explore the concepts with regard to which of women's experiences are taken as normative, as well as the ways in which inequality is compounded by the intersection of multiple factors and identities.

The goal of feminism is to create equity, which is essential for leveling the playing field to ensure that no one's rights are violated due to factors such as race, gender, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, political or other beliefs, nationality, social origin, class, or wealth status.

Further Study

At the end of the day, "feminism" is an umbrella term that covers a number of different beliefs. The following list provides examples of a variety of feminist and ideologies and practices.

• Social Feminism
• Liberal Feminism
• Socialist Feminism
• Radical Feminism
• Cultural Feminism
• Third-Wave Feminism
• Intersectional Feminism
• The Women's Liberation Movement
• 10 Important Feminist Beliefs
• An Overview of Third-Wave Feminism
• What Is Radical Feminism?
• Socialist Feminism vs. Other Types of Feminism
• Feminist Philosophy
• The Feminist Movement in Art
• Socialist Feminism Definition and Comparisons
• Top 20 Influential Modern Feminist Theorists
• Womanist: Definition and Examples
• The Golden Notebook
• Feminist Poetry Movement of the 1960s
• Redstockings Radical Feminist Group
• Feminism in the United States