The Changing Face of Feminism

Throughout history, women have been victims of many stereotypes laid out by the long-lived societal traditions. The definition of feminism is often described as “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” However, feminism doesn’t just refer to the equal treatment of women, and that ideology desperately needs to be spread across the globe.

We live in a so called “modern world” where things around us are changing and there are all sorts of developments taking place. However, even today when we talk about ‘equality’ the first thought that comes to our minds is about empowering women. But what we fail to understand is that men too, deserve to be treated ‘equal’ and fall in that category.

Imagine a world where every man is dreaming of becoming the ‘first male leader’ of their country. Where men are sick and tired of females making more money than them for doing the same exact job. Even though these men have the power and ability to fight against the unfair treatment, they are perceived ‘weak’ to a majority of the world. Now, imagine the world where these same things happen, but to women. Well, that’s the world we’re currently living in.

I come from a background where I have always been encouraged to do what makes me happy, and fortunately have never been made to feel inferior because I am a girl. I think it is good that my parents didn’t necessarily enrol me in singing or dancing lessons since I was two. They let me choose my own hobbies and interests. Although, even today more than 85% of girls face these problems and are a target to the dominance laid by society in defining gender-based attitudes and behaviors. They consider it to be a privilege knowing deep down that it is a basic human right. More than 30% face issues like domestic violence while more than 18 million girls are married off as minors every year.

Likewise, matters are not any different for boys/men. When a baby boy is born his room is often painted blue. He is often enrolled in some sports activity from a very young age, “only boys play video games”, “boys are good at math”, “men do not do household chores” and “boys cannot be good at art, singing, crafts” etc are some of the common notions we hear around us with each passing day. When a boy does not adhere to or fulfil this so called “checklist” he is tagged and made fun of for being “feminine”. A research states that more than 75% of parents have admitted to not teaching their sons to do household chores like laundry and washing the dishes.

When I hit my adolescent years, I started questioning these notions - I started questioning these notions because in a way it started to impact me. I started to worry if I had dressed like a “tomboy”, I often would try to be like someone I was not. Luckily, I stopped worrying so much as I realised that these notions shouldn’t make me feel captive, I shouldn’t be the one made to feel submissive and definitely not the one expected to change. But, for many these fixed gender roles cage people, while one tries to constantly break free. Many girls fall prey to eating disorders in order to achieve the idealistic body of girl, which causes fatal mental scars lasting forever. These notions that society has moulded over the years has not only caused an increase in the violence against women, but also hindered people’s ability to fulfil what they are capable of.

We often think that men have the benefit of gender inequality, as they get to be the one in charge; but these men too have equal amounts of disadvantages as any other female in the 21st century. They are made to think that they have to conform to the idealistic way of being a “man”. They are made to think that their feelings are not important. Contrary to the popular belief, they too are imprisoned behind the bars of gender discrimination. It is their issue, too. “If men don’t have to control, women won’t have to be controlled.” We must join forces with open-minds rather than further distancing ourselves. We must choose unity over disarray.

Feminism isn’t about men and women being ‘equal’, it is about respecting them in a way where ‘unequal’ is not misinterpreted as ‘unfair’. Boys and girls should feel free to be vulnerable, they can both be strong and live a life without the burden of society. Let’s not get influenced by gender based stereotypes, and stop restricting gender equality only to it being a cause to empower women.

---

Written by Anshika Malhotra for the Literary Club at PSG

Edited by Urjashi Laha

Sources: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women

https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2018/feb/17/dirty-secret-why-housework-gender-gap

https://blog.ted.com/i-am-a-bad-feminist-and-a-good-woman-roxane-gay-lights-up-tedwomen-2015/

https://geekfeminism.org