Feminism
A well known social figure once said "In my heart, I think a woman has two choices: either she's a feminist or a masochist." This person was Gloria Steinem. Gloria Steinem, born on March 25th 1934, is a US journalist and has been a spokeswoman for women's rights for many years. Steinem is a feminist. Steinem is regarded as a 'mother' figure to many young women who recognize the role she played in changing the outcome of their lives. Steinem is a feminist. To be a feminist is to be involved with, or associated to feminist theory, movement or belief. Curthoys (1988) describes feminism as a social theory and political movement primarily informed and motivated by the experience of women. While generally providing a critique of social relations, many proponents of feminism also focus on analyzing gender inequality and the promotion of women's rights, interests, and issues. Feminists and feminism itself has been an issue for many years, originating in the early 1860s, not only in Australia, but in all areas of the world where there are women crying out to be heard. In this essay I will explore the three waves of feminism throughout history: the Liberal Feminists of the 1860s, the traditional "bra-burners" of the 1960-1980s and the third wave, from the 1980s to the present day. Through this exploration, I will define what it means to be a feminist, the kinds of social changes feminists set out to achieve, and finally, various achievements that have been made by feminist activists. I will then end the essay with a brief overlook of some of the issues concerning feminists today.
Defining feminism can come as quite a tumultuous task, as it is essentially what each person makes of it in general, it is a movement working to ensure that each woman involved in it can make informed choices about their lives regardless of what choice they make. Feminism is about changing society, not the actual person it's about structural change, not individual change, but...
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