The Progression of Feminism- by Benedictine University blogger Karly

When I was growing up I always thought that  being a feminist was a negative thing. I thought that if you were a feminist, you hated all men and you only talked to women. That if you were a feminist you only were a part of things that women did. That was when I was younger, probably around ten or so. As the years went by I slowly realized what feminism truly is. It not a negative thing at all, actually it is the total opposite. Unfortunately, some people still think of feminism like my ten-year-old self did. Some people view the world of feminism in all the wrong ways. Being a feminist isn’t something that you should be afraid of. Just because you have a certain outlook on life doesn’t make you any different from anyone else. Now is a better time than ever for the world to shine a positive light on feminism. The movement has helped so many women feel strong, respected, and justified. I feel that most of the people that dislike the idea of feminism are men. I feel that men believe this movement is belittling them and taking away the idea of a “man’s role” in society. But one is no better than the other. Feminism is not taking anything away it is actually adding a positive outlook on today’s culture.

I think that being a feminist is cool. When you are a part of the feminist movement you want for men and women to have equal rights. However, there are extreme feminist that s
ometimes go a little overboard with their thoughts and that might be why feminism is looked at negatively sometimes. Those people that go a little too far with feminism just need to remember the initial reason and purpose, which is to create equality between men and women all over the world. There is not just one type of feminist. You become one with a reason behind it. If you feel strongly about a small portion or the whole idea of feminism, you will be different from the feminist next to you. You don’t have to be a woman to be a feminist. I feel that is a misperception that a lot of people have today.

The “He For She” movement, that actress Emma Watson brought a lot of attention to, is a perfect example of what feminism should be focusing on. We need to stray people away from the confusions of feminism and show them that now in the 21st century, men and women are coming together to create equality.

Women’s Rights Have Made A Difference by Benedictine University blogger Karly Sacco

We Can Do It

It is hard to believe how far we have come. All the battles we have fought to get to where we are. Women have always been looked at as the less dominate ones. It is unfortunate that the evolution took this long. But finally, women have the majority of the same rights that men do. It was not easy getting here, the journey has been a long and hard one but looking back women have truly shaped the way people treat them not only just in the work place, but also on college campuses. The role that women’s rights play is extremely important today to encourage, shape and educate young women in schools so that they can continue the growth of equality. 

When most people think of women’s rights they think of the important women in history, the events that have shaped what women stand for today, and women in the work place. But rarely people think of how women’s rights affect college life. It is not thought to be abnormal that men and women go to school together today and it shouldn’t be. On college campus’s women have the same, maybe even more active rolls than men. Their dominance in school life shows not to treat them differently just because they are girls. Women on college campuses are the ones truly living out the dream that history has made possible today.

Today women are stronger than ever. Just think if women in America did not come as far as they have today. What if Rosa Parks never stood her ground for women that are still living her message today? Or if Amelia Earhart never took the risks and adventures to show that women are just as strong as men. Over the years, there have been riots because of many intense topics but the one that continues to be changing over time is the fact that women are still making a difference in this world. Some men are still not too fond of this idea. But those men have to face the facts and realize that women are not going anywhere, and it is only up from here. Whether you are a male or female, beginning in elementary school the importance of women’s rights has been implanted in our brains so it has only been natural for society to shift its views on what women are capable of achieving. Although we have come a long way, there are other parts of the world that are still less fortunate than America. Women’s rights are still an everyday battle for a lot of women in struggling countries where men still see themselves as more powerful of the two sexes. Hopefully one day the whole world will see how important the impact women’s ideas and thoughts can have on society.

Can women progress in a male dominated society? by blogger Shaleen

The belief that women are living creatures, who are able to make rational decisions on their own baffle so many people, so one can assume women are viewed as the lesser human. New feminism is a new concept that many people don’t understand because many believe the definition of feminism is the superiority of females over males. Before this philosophy can be known for what it actually is, people need to understand that not every feminist hates men. It supports the idea that men, and women are indeed different but both sexes deserve equal worth and dignity.  Even though women are living in a so called “man’s world,” we have made a lot of progress since the start of the feminist movement. Equality between the genders is a difficult thing to accomplish with so many different viewpoints and cultures around the world.  

            

Unless life was started over again, there is no way women will ever feel safe in a male dominated society. There are set stereotypes that women have, as there is for men, and women will always be seen like the lesser of the two because of that stereotype, as much as it saddens me to say. Many people grew up learning that tradition is the route to live by, which the new feminism points out saying its fine to stick with the stereotypical roles for both men and women. The difference between the two is the treatment of one another. The traditional role of a women would be one where she submits herself to her husband, while staying at home and being the the homemaker or caregiver of the family. New feminism wants a woman to feel comfortable being about to be a woman who stays at home with the children or the woman who goes out into the workforce.

    

We can all join together and fight the inequality in many ways. We just have to be willing to stand up for what we think is right and how we think others should be treated. Both men and women have opinions and voices to speak them with. No gender is lesser than the other because of a tradition that is no longer being used in other aspects.

I was, I’m and shall continue to be – 'A woman of Substance' - by Blogger Snehal

A Sanskrit (a prominent, ancient language) verse states – “Yatra naryastu Pujyante ramante tatra devatah yatraitaastu na pujyante sarvaastrafalaah kriyaah” :- Divinity rejoices where women are honoured and respected; where they are not, even sacred acts are fruitless. This verse gives us a glimpse of the social stature of women in the ancient time that boasts of social equality.

 Myriad significant changes suppressed the status of women across the globe over the centuries. There was an emergence of patriarchal structure of the society that perpetuated oppression of women, mainly through sexual violence. “Masculinity” was defined through power, violence, aggression and dominance whereas “Imposed Femininity” was defined as weak, inferior, powerless, oppressed, exploited sex who had no choice but to surrender as a victim or a prey to these male predators. The tyranny continued in the form of rape, sexual assault, violence, oppression, fear of death, apprehension of grievous hurt that pushed womanhood into the dark, unbearable abyss of humiliation and self pity for centuries to come.

An honest, deep introspection then led women to stand up for their right, their right to live with dignity, right to breathe freely. A flash! Then was an emergence of a feminist era that not only revolutionized but refined the status of women. Women now can walk shoulder to shoulder with men and voice their choices too. Feminism is a strength that changed the face of victims into survivors and opened the doors of competitive world for them. Today, women are not mere sex objects; women are a symbol of power, equality, strength and much more. All that a woman needs is to be loved, to be heard and to be respected. Simple!

The question that arises is, are women really safe in this male dominated world? The answer is yes, provided men use their strength for creating cultures free of violence and have a positive influence on womanhood.

It is always said that the apprehension of rape limits the potential of a woman. I believe that encouragement coupled with support and love can help them expand the boundaries of their potential and proudly say “I’m worth it”.  

Too Many Expectations by blogger Kendra

Jay-Z is not the only one with 99 problems. Women have to deal with a number of things like their jobs, families, and household chores, and it does not stop there, nor does it begin there. From an early age girls are told they have to look, think, and behave a certain way in order to gain respectability from society and to appease boys. There is an unfair advantage that comes with being a man, and that's that the expectations for them are significantly lower than women.


Many of today's feminists say there are just too many expectations for women and they are working together to close the gap. When walking down the street minding their own business, women are expected to be flattered and grateful for the men shouting sexual puns at them; women are expected to wear clothes that are sexy, but not too sexy because when they do “they're asking for it”; women are also expected to be independent but not too independent, and submissive but not too passive. Women often find themselves asking, “What is it exactly that you want from me?”


There are some expectations that are unavoidable which are determined by where you work and/or go to school, but most of them can be stopped. Men will have to get on board and get involved in making changes to how women are viewed and treated. This is a progression that many feminists are hoping to move towards as soon as possible.