Has the meaning of ‘feminism’ been lost to
modern western society?
The term
feminism has been around since the 1800’s; however issues that feminism has
been created to combat has been around for a much greater period of time. The
term itself arose from French word feminism later translated and used in the late 19th
century where equality between men and women was the
objective. Women of past dates weren’t considered necessary to have the same
treatment and opportunities as men and a collective few initiated methods of
fighting against this view. As steps closer to an equal existence was seen as a
near impossible outcome, extreme measures were taken to trigger a movement to
create a widespread recognition of the worth of women. However modern society
tends to have mixed definitions of the term. Has what this word represents and
stands for gone backwards in western worlds?
Acts of
official feminism rose from the suffragettes started from Great Britain. As
women unhappy with the situations they were living in stood up and formed groups,
one of which was the WSPU (women’s social and political union). The WSPU originally
came from a small group of women, initially not very aggressive in their
actions. They started petitions and organised social events to reinforce their
course, 1966, “by June they had collected 1,499 signatures” (Kent, 1987). However these events weren’t
attracting the attention and authority it would take to make a difference. Hence
the history of more aggressive means, such as hunger strikes. The hunger
strikes themselves weren’t acts that quickly aided their cause itself, the
outcome was an influx of empathy and notice the women gained from putting
themselves in harms way, to show the need for change. The nature of the
treatment thrown upon the women for taking said hunger strikes was much beyond
brutal. The women were subjected to acts such as being force fed and abused
including rape. Force-feeding was soon recognised as a form of abuse as it
impacts another person’s physical being without their permission.
The acts
started something that has gradually turned into closer equality, more than
ever recorded in further history. However there were still very obvious
differences in the two defined genders, and even more so to those who don’t
identify with one fixed gender. Some cultures are more disrespectful to the
idea of women being equal to men, and others the opposite. this difference in a
collective opinion will further influence the strength and need of feminist
acts. cultures where there is a larger gap will most likely contain more
radical acts and therefor shifting the opinion of the term feminism. However to
contrast this theory, there are cultures that it is deemed natural for the
women to be classed at a lower form of living. Therefor feminist needs have not
been recorded.
The way that
females are portrayed in society also reflects the expectations and pressures
that women have to live up to, ranging from video games to movies and magazines
to toys. Barbie is one influence showing an ideal for the female body, “Above
all, it seems, Barbie is an icon of the femininity associated with the middle
reaches of contemporary western societies.” (Rogers, 1999), showing the
importance society places on girls to have a perfect image. These pressures
influence how the ideal woman should look and act, resulting in rebellious
opinions from women that don’t identify themselves as these impossible figures,
this is most profound in 1st worlds cultures. Therefor leading to more aggressive
opinions of media, as there is a dehumanisation/objectification of women. Fig
example... in rebellion to these expectations some women have shown opposite
efforts to contradict what is expected of them. For example not shaving bodily
hair. Although smooth legs should not be an imperative aspect of peoples lives
it has escalated to the point where to appear lady like, women have to have
smooth, hairless legs to be accepted into societal expectations. Such an act
has turned into a figure of modern feminism. In the eye of a non-feminist this
appears as an act against hygiene, therefor reinforcing negative views on those
who identify as a feminist. There is then the question, could the individual,
say, not shave their legs, what’s to say that they are doing it because they
themselves want to? In some cases it could possibly be from an act to be
accepted into an accumulating number of people who call themselves feminists.
Giving said individuals a rebellious feminist title. Do they not shave because
it oppresses them, or because they want to fit in to a social party?
The decrease
in the progression of feminism could also be linked to the state of the current
western society. As technologies and medical methods advance there is less time
and effort needed for the obtainment of essential needs. Leaving time and new
needs for less essential and more luxury things. Progression leads to what’s
viewed as least profitable aspects of western cultures plummet, as well as the
increase in the more appealing features. One of the main thing been sex. Sex
has and will most probably remain one of the most popular forms of luxury. Due
to this the image of a perfect woman has evolved and is currently widespread.
An image that causes an aggressive nature in many who don’t believe they match
the requirements. This relates to the advancement of technology as it is now
possible to edit and change a chosen image to digitally increase its
aesthetical appeal, and because it sells it will continue indefinitely.
Celebrity
influence also has a negative effect on public opinion. “I used to think of it
as my job: making myself appealing”(Macdonald, 1995), says an actress of which
played black widow in 1987. Shows the feeling of responsibility to meet
standards put forward in films, where the viewers will see what they believe is
attractive. Some of the strong female figures deny being a feminist as they
don’t wish to be viewed as one, suggestively because of the bad press towards
self proclaimed feminists. People are pushed into denying their opinion on
feminism, even if they do believe in the outcome it originally stood for. In
the 21st century, articles as well as online polls have shown how
the standing of the term feminism have plummeted as people associate feminist
acts as a basic hatred of men, including the idea that all men are dangerous
and are only looking for sexual experiences. True or not these opinions have
lead to the concealing of individual standings on the subject, furthermore
declining the women and men that would stand under the term feminist. In
contradiction, although there isn’t as many noticeably accomplishments in
making women closer to the same social standing as men, there are increasingly
large sums of men and women that are outwardly fighting. However there are
seemingly less important leaps forward, as modern society is much more fixed in
its ways and companies can deny accusations on sexism.
Art in
response to feminism is a very varied area of creative imagery, as the pieces
heavily portray the artist’s opinion. The techniques tend to be very expressive
as well and striking because it needs to show the passion involved whilst in
the process of creating the final image. Many art pieces on this subject are
made to show the anger and disappointment of society. Therefor the materials
used as well as colour and texture, even composition need to pull the viewer in
and show just how serious a subject this is. Where as on the opposite side of
the spectrum, many image-makers in this field of feminism show a much different
approach. As opinions don’t always look at feminism as a severe issue, creative
responses are much more varied in modern western society. Many people even turn
to mocking how it is viewed, sharing humour on the subject. However such takes
on such an issue can be deemed offensive, and in turn obtain negative responses,
humour doesn’t necessarily mean a negative view, some artists also represent
strong women but mock the context of which they are in, emphasising the some
opinions of feminists, the extremists few that get remembered over the meaning
of the term (Fig 1).
This
particular piece (fig 1) by Kate Beaton’s strongly shows her own opinion on
sexism, and how she views the taboo subject, as the style and presentation of
the females seems to be a very natural way of portraying women in her case.
This is shown throughout a lot of her work involving the female sex, as the
sexualised parts of the body are very prominent with no attempt to hide or
restrict said features.
Most
of her works are set out in this minimalistic, monochrome style; this forces
the viewer to interpret what colours the characters would be wearing,
subconsciously. When looking at this particular image it can be assumed that
they are wearing dark leathers clothing, with hints of colour, which shows
their strength, this allows an audience to establish their own view on the
subject. As the image is monochrome is avoiding being more stereotypically
feminine, however this may or may not be intentional, perhaps its merely a preferred
to work this way. Which yet again enforce power to the characters, and a
representation of their strength. The lack of colour doesn’t necessarily make
it less feminine, but it prevents a feminine feature been added to the artwork.
Feminism and the on-going fight to eradicate sexism are very strong in today’s
culture throughout most parts of the world. This mocking objectification of
women with revealing clothing has become popular in its views of one ideal of
sexism; the view that seemingly mocks how feminism is seen, but at the same
time portrays strong semi-naked ladies it doesn’t objectify them which is
usually the reason to reduce clothing on female images.
There is
also a mocking aspect to her view of strong women. In modern society, strong
women in fictional stories, be it comics or video games, are commonly heavily
stereotypically sexualised with their features and personalities. Such as the
common concept art of video games following a pattern of less and less clothing
to attract the male audience. Kate Beaton seems to have used this in her
visualization in her versions of female protagonists, and managed to twist this
to benefit her view on sexism, which intentionally or unintentionally makes her
work seem to mock perceptions of females. The characters are also wearing
clothing associated with a tough exterior, such as a biker like jackets and boots. Whilst she gave them a tough exterior,
she also gave them weapons. These guns then ads the impression that they aren’t
messing around and they should be feared. The fact that they are minimal
weapons gives the impression that the comics going to be particularly funny.
Backed up by the unrealistic bullets been fired in a scenario with no targets.
As this is one take on modern views it shows what feminism has evolved into an
unserious mock of a once strong influence for equality.
The fight
for equal rights has frequently been ridiculed and dismissed over the years.
Artwork made in the 19-20th century often made fun of the suffragettes,
the fact that ladies wanted the same treatment as men triggered cruel humour in
order to demoralise the women they were trying to keep out of the male side of
life. Some illustrations were then used by the suffragettes in rebellion to
motivate and drive those who wanted change. (Fig 2) shows how defenceless and
weak the men believed the women to be, attempting to shift the opinions of them
into little girls who don’t know what they would do with change. Many aspects
of the image are taken from childhood experiences. Such as the orderly line the
young girls make across the page, subtly representing a playground. Furthering
the theory that the men opposing the women viewed them as immature and
unreliable to take on the men’s tasks. The expressions further this even
further. Sweet smiles across every face, which portrays a lack of knowledge
about what life would have in store for them should they succeed. Making out
that all women do not understand what is outside the front door, what work
would do to such supposedly weak, delicate creatures?
The term ten
little suffragettes can be taken a few ways, most prominent theory is that the
little girls will be picked off one by one, until there were none. All of the
features of the image points to the immaturity of women, showing that the men
in charge see them as out of their place.
Although
overall men statistically are more likely to initiate domestic violence or
abuse, the negative side of feminism has formed the impression that all men are
a part of this. And by doing so this has enforced the view of ‘boys will be
boys’ and allowing boys to have a protection against their actions as it is
seemed as a natural building of a males life. So although feminism didn’t
create the violent and sexist views of a portion of the male population, it has
contributed to the view of normality of the disrespect some males have shown.
In doing so these ladies have fuelled their own anger, creating a cycle where
they may get angrier the longer it continues.
How positive
or negative feminism is perceived all depends on what people believe it stands
for. The meaning of feminism has shifted over the years to form a society of misinformed
followers, of what the true meaning of has gradually changed. Changed to being
viewed as a more powerful gender than men. When in actuality feminism was
formed to fight for equality.
It appears
that it is another case of people only recalling bad things and radical
extremes in the name of feminism than the focus of what it is meant to
represent. “Feminists
spend more effort claiming that feminism is somehow ‘mainstream’ than they do
on the cause of improving the lives of women” (Atkinson, 2011). The meaning and
responsibility of being named a feminist has indeed plummeted. Western society
slowly forgets the worth of the original accomplishments that allowed women to
vote, work, and right to education as well as many more, changing the opinion
of great accomplishments and hardships, to something people, including women,
mock and disrespect.
Atkinson, K (2011) ‘Feminism is an arrogant philosophy that has lost its way’[internet]
Daily Mail, available from< http://atkinsonsmallblog.dailymail.co.uk/2011/10/feminism-is-an-arrogant-philosphy-that-has-lost-its-way.html>
[Accessed 4/2/15]
Rogers,
M (1999) Barbie Culture, London, SAGE Publications Ltd.
Page
11
KENT,
S. (1987) SEX AND SUFFERAGE IN BRITAIN 1860 – 1914, London, Princeton
University Press. Page 185
Macdonald, M (1995) Representing
Women, London, Bloomsbury Academic
Page 124
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