New Definition of Feminism

Previously, my definition of feminism was, “Believing that men and women have the same economic, political, and social rights and also acknowledging that women are and have been oppressed throughout history. However, not every woman is oppressed in the same way and society should understand how each woman is oppressed at her own intersection.”

I do not think I would change much of my previous definition. However, I would add that legal steps should be taken to make economic, political, and social equality the norm. As Thomson says, “Both the female and the disabled body are cast as deviant and inferior; both are excluded from full participation in public as well as economic life; both are defined in opposition to norm that is assumed to possess natural physical superiority.” (19). Since there are no legal barriers for employers to pay a woman less for the same job as a man, women will still be cast as deviant and inferior. Therefore, I believe steps are taken to make women the equals, legally, and then the social acceptance of women in the public sphere will follow. For instance, if a law were put into place today that granted women equal pay for equal jobs, then most of the children who are born today will grow up thinking it is normal because that is how it has always been.

Thankfully, some legal steps have been taken to ensure rights for marginalized groups; Washington State recently legalized gay marriage. Maryland and Illinois are on track to legalize it as well. These small victories give me hope for all marginalized groups in America. Since homophobia is deeply rooted in our Christian culture, “Much of the discrimination against homosexual persons is justified by a common misreading of the Bible.” (Pharr 24) I have hope for other women’s rights that are not (that I know of) shot down by Biblical passages.

My new definition of feminism is, “Believing that men and women have the same economic, political, and social rights and also acknowledging that women are and have been oppressed throughout history. However, not every woman is oppressed in the same way and society should understand how each woman is oppressed at her own intersection. To remedy this problem, legal action should be fought for and granted to the marginalized groups of America.”