Sociology Essay: Feminism, Glass Barriers, and the Homemaker's Role

This essay critically examines the evolving landscape of feminism, contrasting the narratives of breaking glass barriers in professional settings with the often-unacknowledged contributions of homemakers. It begins by acknowledging the advancements made in women's rights, such as female CEOs and same-sex marriage acceptance, while also referencing the perspectives of Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards to highlight the persistence of unresolved issues from the 1970s. The essay questions whether feminism's focus is solely on integrating women into mainstream professions or if it should also encompass a broader social reform that values the role of homemakers and their economic contributions. The author references Baumgardner's statements to argue that post-feminism remains a distant dream due to the lack of societal respect for homemakers and their uncounted economic value. This comparison raises the core question of the essay: What constitutes real feminism in the contemporary world, and how should its goals be redefined to address these critical issues?

Removal of the Glass barrier versus Glorification of the homemakers? What is real
feminism?
It is true that many media houses are claiming that societies in the western world have already
touched upon the milestones of “Post Feminism” and they have conquered the taboos, stigmas
and glass barriers that were haunting the females in the ’70s. It might sound true for many
individuals while presenting Mary T Barra as the female CEO, qualifying for fortune 500 club,
many individuals can also pin-point lesbian couples kissing in public while protesting in an
LGBT parade.
A reading of the article written by “ Jennifer Baumgardner” and “Amy Richards” under the title
“ A Day Without Feminism” can convince a reader about the improved condition of the women
in the present society. This article says that during the ’70s the representation of the women at
the workplace was a victim of gender stereotyping. It was also the time when the search for a
sexual partner to express the lesbian sexual orientation was confined to some dingy clubs owned
by the mafia lords and underworld barons (Jennifer Baumagardner, 2000). Indeed the things are
better in the year 2020 when countries like Canada are ready to accept same-sex marriages and
Australia has a clear cut reservation policy to ensure a justified presence of females in the top
ranks. However, these factoids and the postcards of 21st-century females only presents a blocked
picture of the reality in front of us.
The above-mentioned statement can be corroborated with the help of a statement made by the
same author. “ Jennifer Baumgardner” while answering a question in the Rollin College in the
year 2011, we find that post-feminism is a distant dream because the problems of the ’70s are

still unresolved. In her answer to a question, Jeniffer clearly stated that the structure of the
society doesn’t command a respect for homemakers, they are not considered as the breadwinners
for the family and their contribution to the economy of a house is uncounted (Amy Richards and
Jennifer Baumgardner at Rollins College, 2011).
This comparison made by the author raises a pertinent question in front of us.
Does the role of feminism is confined to the emancipation of selected few brave females to join
the mainstream with the males in terms of job profiles and pursuits of pleasure or we need to re-
launch the spirit of feminism with a new avatar of social reform related to bringing in a change in
the perspective of society?

References
Amy Richards and Jennifer Baumgardner at Rollins College. (2011). Syed Means Happy,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzZSmgKe1Jg.
Jennifer Baumagardner, A. R. (2000). A day Without Feminism. A& E ,
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/533b171fe4b0c551757d9ba3/t/
5378fc7ae4b07d0c6bf661af/1400437882246/2000_day-without-feminism.pdf.