Feminism Essay: Theoretical Analysis of Gender, Sexuality, and Society

This essay delves into the multifaceted concept of feminism, examining its evolution and contemporary relevance within societal and academic discourse. The introduction establishes feminism as a movement advocating for gender equality and women's empowerment, highlighting its historical significance and ongoing struggles against patriarchal systems and societal stereotypes. The main body critically analyzes the challenges to feminism, particularly those arising from patriarchal structures and societal norms, and the financial dependence of women on men, leading to social inequalities. The essay explores the evolution of feminist theories, including Marxist perspectives on class and gender, and the sex-positivity movement, evaluating their strengths and limitations. It also examines functionalist perspectives, highlighting how these theories often overlook the suppression of women. The essay then applies these theories to real-world experiences, such as the impact of pregnancy on women's lives and the challenges related to sexual freedom, drawing insights from academic literature and everyday observations. The conclusion summarizes the key findings, emphasizing the importance of continued efforts towards achieving gender equality and addressing the complex issues surrounding feminism.

FEMINISM

Contents
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..............................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION...........................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Feminism is purely a movement, which is meant to bring enlightenment among people towards
gender equality and strengthening of stature of women in society. It is an engagement towards
creating and recognizing need for education and work, along with other care facilities such as
health and nutrition for women.
In this report, an attempt made to develop a good understanding about the issue of
Feminism, which has been widely prevailing in many socio-political debates since 19th century,
but still no concrete solution have been developed yet, to resolve this age old issue and improve
position of women in society. The need for this change is obvious and very appropriate for
collective development of all, social assumptions and stereotypes related to physical strength of
women as well as system of patriarchy, has made acceptance towards this change very gradual.
Therefore, fights and struggles are involved in each step towards progress. The report is in essay
format, covering range of issues related to feminism. Every result and opinion in this essay is
made after an extensive research from different sources. Firstly, report start developing
understanding through current debates on feminism. Secondly, understanding of different
scholars and theories related to feminism are mentioned followed by evaluation of these theories
and their relevance with present scenario. Thirdly, a critical evaluation of role played by
academia is made, as how far academics are helpful in bringing this important social change.
MAIN BODY
One of the main issues related with Feminism in the modern world is the issues or harms to this
spirit by the Men, or in terms of Sociology it can be referred to as Issues due to Men Dominated
Society. Also, the behavior that people do not want to let go of this social behavior of Patriarchy
and they just aspire to continue it in the families as well as at the workplaces. The debates in the
modern time just revolve around these issues, and therefore there is no point of hiding such
negative words like Patriarchy. Many feminists in the earlier time, after tough and long fights for
which history is evident, had succeeded in bringing women beyond the kitchens and households
works. But the statistics suggests that, still 8 out of every 10 women spend much time in
household works, than their male counterparts. Also, there is a problem that for this work, those

women does in households, they generate no income and according to social perceptions their
work attracts no value from anyone. Our society believes that, work is the sources of income
generation and if there is no incomes from any work that could not be valued. Now, since most
of women in society does household works more, for which they generate no income, this
increases their financial dependence on their male counterparts. Financial strength is essential for
survival. And, for this essential strength if anyone is dependant over other person, than this
dependence poses other person eventually in a dominant position. These issues when goes on
and establish their position in minds of people, than they also give rise to other issues as well,
this increases social inequalities. For example, as women are the one mostly looking forward to
household related works; this has created a perception that women are well efficient in doing
such works only. They have perceived capabilities in doing such works; as a result most of the
caring works and kitchen related works are also imparted to women, even when they go out for
looking other works and try to increase their income sources. These are the works related to
Babysitting, caring, nursing etc. People forecast the capabilities of women, and this establishes
stereotypes against women. As a result doors of progress for women in future are hindered and
sometimes even get seen to be stopped. Many other contemporary issues of Education, Nutrition
and Healthcare for girl child are also seen worsened. Somewhere, role played by Media outlets
and channels are also increasingly deteriorating the position of women in society. This is because
of their depiction and representation they make for this gender. For example, many media outlets
are seen casting white women frequently for advertising and other purposes. This creates a
notion in society that white women are superior to black women. Also, widely increasing
depiction of sexual contents over OTT platforms, in movies and in magazines, somewhere
presents men in a dominated position over women. These presentation and depiction are easily
striking over minds of people, especially children who are seen more engaged with these
mediums. Also, many new waves on social media and digital platforms are very seriously
degrading position of women in society, from the content that they post on their social media
pages, which are seen by men and women both. This hits minds of not only men but also women,
where they are seen accepting many negative acts towards them as normalcy (The Five Main
Issues Facing Modern Feminism, 2013).
A good start of the theoretical debates on the issue of Feminism is the start from the Marxist
perspective on Feminism. The theory developed by Marx sees the issues of feminism in

intersection between women oppression in society by the men and the contemporary going
political changes, work related movements and movements of women through trade unions.
These issues were at the hotbed of political and social developments going in the Britain, in the
era of 19th and 20th century. These developments shaped position of women in British society for
next generations. At this time, most important political and social thinker emerged was Karl
Marx (Feminists Perspective on Class and Work, 2016). Among many sociologists and
anthropologists that believes inn Marxist opinion towards feminism, they also tends to analyze
and evaluate many aspects regarded to kinship and role of sexual and gender based division of
labor. Marx had opined that Capitalism have triggered the issue of feminism more. It had been
emphasized in his theories that earlier when means of income were concentrated in the family
businesses, men and women had equal say and share in those means. But now, with the rise of
capitalism in the world, sources of production and income generation are consolidated outside
the control families. Therefore, the responsibility has come over man of house. In this manner,
Marx pointed out the dependence women over men have increased because of this wave of
modernization. There is another theory that talks about freedom of movement in sexual affairs.
This was basically a movement that started in the years of 1980s. This movement have pointed
out pornography at the centre of debates and represented it as the figure of women oppression
and considered it as the mean of stealing sexual freedom of a woman (Sex Positivity, 2018).
Further as the movement progressed, positive feminists and anti-pornographic feminists bought
the fact that sexual freedom is an essential part of freedom of women. They pointed that there
should not be any legal or social force, binding women to control their sexual activities and it
shall totally at the will of women. This is another progressive step towards raising social status of
women in society, as it is mostly seen that many social stigmas and forces are related with
women only, and not men. In case of men, such norms are cherished and considered as an act of
masculinity. However, this theory, no matter how progressive it seems is not debarred of
criticism. The main arguments of critiques of sex positivists feminists is that such kind of theory
only rationalizes men as the oppressor of sexual freedom and modesty of women. Other works in
the field of theoretical aspects of feminism includes Functionalism theory, the theory is more a
perspective, called functionalist perspective. This perspective describes that each gender has
certain role and functions to play in society and therefore, responsible to increase social
efficiency. The functionalist perspective sees society as the complex system and mentions that

there are many parts of it that together forms solidarity and stability in society, and different
genders are such parts of society. And, differences or inequalities, like division of labor, that
exists in society are simply in order to increase this efficiency, where a particular section of
society is responsible for labor related acts and other section is responsible for other acts. This
perspective justifies these inequalities (Sociological Perspectives on Gender Stratification,
2019). Feminists, clearly argues that this perspective ignores suppression of women because of
this division that is stated to increase social efficiency. This division presents women as a section
of society which is weak and vulnerable, a section that is dependent over others for survival and
even basic needs of life. Due to this dependence, women have to face all what other or dominant
section, male population, desires them to do. This causes suppression of women.
These divisions that are marked in many theories and explanations of philosophers and thinkers
of feminism are relevant in current experiences of daily life. For example, talking about the
Marxist theory where he related social and economic oppression of women as two different
branches of same tree. As it was pointed out that absence of economic freedom increases chances
of degradation of status. Many researches and studies revealed that, even in case of pregnancy,
more than 90% of women are unable to go to bed early. They have to give full time to household
works as they give in routine days. And, for the same purpose they are needed to wake up early
as well. Pregnancy is such time where a woman is required utmost care and attention, her
comfort zone is needed to be paid due respect. But the social forces and responsibilities attached
only with woman have neglected such important part of health issues. The care in this context
becomes more important in modern time. Social norms maintain the position that outside works
are levied with men and women are meant for inside jobs. But, so far with lots of struggles and
fights, women have somewhere been able to raise their social status, now they do both works,
inside and outside the house. Under consideration of this fact, caring for women becomes more
important. Also, it has been noted that, as a result of these affairs women are not able to devote
time for self care. Another, problem that comes often seen as part of social differences and
inequalities towards women was described through the Sex-positivism theory. The theory
demanded that sexual freedom of women is also a part of the freedom that they need for their
social upliftment. There should be no social or legal force attached with woman and they should
be free to make their own choices in sexual context. But today as well, especially in the
underdeveloped and illiterate societies many stigmas are attached with woman for their sexual

rights. They are forced to behave in a particular manner and establish physical relations with
person to whom they tie their knot. No matter how brutal and undesirable that person is for that
woman. Women are forced to continue that relation, this is the social force. But, when it comes
in context of Man, maintaining multiple relations is seen as part of masculinity. Also, this social
force gets more empowered when laws like Adultery and Obscenity are strictly prevailing in
administration and strictly against the women section only (Gender Inequality and Everyday
Practices: Problems and Challenges, 2015).
Many academic literatures revealed the idea that is a fallacy in the case of feminism. One of the
most commonly presented argument is that Feminism itself is an illusion and the equality has
been achieved. The pedagogic presents evidences in the form of classroom studies and co-
education. Also, they ideologically presents that rules are same for everyone everywhere. But the
harsh reality is much different. Girl students finds that the equality which is being taught in
books and propagandized in schools is far away from reality and that ends within walls of
schools. Therefore, schools are required to present real facts before students, where they can
clearly understand social norms and practices, imparted enough wisdom of righteousness and
then should be left to develop their own ways to fight opposite and unfavorable circumstances.
The basic has towards making sufficient understanding should be started with increasing
competence of students in such matters through different meanings and understandings. Also,
many facts can be helpful, like the report of United Nations, mentioning that at least one in every
three women is beaten or some sort of coercive measures are used against them. The report has
significantly emphasized over coercive measures for sexual relations as well (Feminism and its
impact on society, 2015). However, such information must be imparted at higher levels, when
mind is fully developed to make an understanding, but the matter is it should not be left hidden.
Many academics focuses on ideologies and theories that had prevailed as propounded by
different authors and philosophers. But these theories were providing justifications of different
time. They could be very helpful in gathering understanding of different perspectives and also to
make an alignment with the history of feminism. But, requirements of present time are pragmatic
understanding as well. Students should not be only revolving around ideological world. They
must be made aware of the practical understandings and facts. Another argument that comes
strongly highlighted in Academia is that Feminism is always seen as matter of gender equality
but it is far beyond then that. Feminism is not bringing everything at equal parity between men

and women, but it is about raising social, economical and political standards of women. It is
meant for providing favorable opportunities, environment and circumstances to women, which
can be utilized by them to seek and achieve what they want. Therefore, Feminism is not just a
concept but a revolution. If everything will be bought at just parity, than only powerful and fittest
will be progressing, evidently at this position male society is more dominated. Therefore, equity
is much needed that quality. Improvements in this regard are also required in academic
literatures worldwide.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion it can be concluded that, feminism in the current world of 21st century
needs a different understanding and rationalization. There has to be not just a social and holistic
understanding but personal understandings are more required. Every women, seen as a separate
individual must be handled in her own capacity as an individual, where her mindset and
understanding and maturity levels could be totally different. And thus attention is also required
in that same manner. To develop this trend or value, women from all across the globe, debarring
their national, regional and cultural differences, must unite their voices. Every single matter of
range of importance should be clubbed together, bringing solution for once and for all. Also, not
just social perceptions have to be changed, but a demand for legal enforcement and strict
adherences have to be present along. Engagements are also required from side of every section of
society, including politics, civil society, administration, academia and many others. Awareness
among women has to increased towards their social, legal, human and natural rights. Knowledge
is something that brings tremendous confidence, an individual becomes more audible. Hence, not
just change but a revolution is required.

REFERENCES
The Five Main Issues Facing Modern Feminism. 2013. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.newstatesman.com/v-spot/2013/05/five-main-issues-facing-modern-
feminism>
Feminists Perspective on Class and Work. 2016. [Online]. Available through:
<https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/feminism-class/>
Sex Positivity. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<https://wgac.colostate.edu/education/bodyimage/sex-positivity/>
Sociological Perspectives on Gender Stratification. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/sociological-
perspectives-on-gender-stratification/#:~:text=The%20functionalist%20perspective
%20sees%20society,to%20promote%20solidarity%20and%20stability.&text=The
%20feminist%20movement%20takes%20the,women%20within%20the%20family
%20structure.>
Gender Inequality and Everyday Practices: Problems and Challenges. 2015. [Online]. Available
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Everyday-Practices-eng.pdf>
Feminism and its impact on society. 2015. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.ukessays.com/essays/sociology/feminism-and-its-impact-on-society-
sociology-essay.php>