Why Feminism Today? By: Andrew Carvajal

Feminism: what often comes to mind

Feminism and Gender Studies Why speak about feminism when studying gender? Is it necessary? Feminist theories offer many explanations about the origins of gender differences and how they matter? Feminist movement  putting gender theory into practice

Why Feminism Today? Some Very Few Examples

Work Doubleday of labour “Equal access to jobs outside the home, while one of the preconditions for women’s liberation, will not in itself be sufficient to give equality for women; as long as work in the home remains a matter of private production” Margaret Benston Childcare and eldercare Women “opting-out” of work experience and tenure to start a family Sweatshop labour Different pay for sometimes equal work 38% of the wage gap is not explained by differences in job/experience

Work Job segregation and job polarization

Violence Rape Domestic violence “The home is the most dangerous place for women and the safest for men” War Women are often the most affected by war according to the UN

Beauty and Health Different beauty standards “Thinness norm” Eating disorders Unequal exposure to cleaning products Birth control

Some methods of birth control available by sex FemaleMaleBoth Female condomCondomSpermicides Tubal ligationVasectomyRhythm method Oral contraceptive pill Abstinence Morning-after pill Progestin-only pill Injection Implant Patch Sponge Lea contraceptive Diaphragm Cervical Cap IUD Abortion

Sexuality “ Sexuality as a social construct of male power defined by men and forced on women” “Woman is defined by what male desire requires for arousal and satisfaction” --- Catharine MacKinnon Sex-trade Pornography Media representations

Why Feminism Today? Some Very Few Examples “Women do 2/3 of the world's work, receive 10% of the world's income and own 1% percent of the means of production.” - Richard H. Robbins, Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism “If women’s work were accurately reflected in national statistics it would shatter the myth that men are the main breadwinners of the world” - Mahbub ul Haq, UNDP 1995 If you think any of these issues are relevant today and something should be done about them I am afraid to tell you but you might be a feminist

Dealing with Gender Problems: Multiple Feminisms Different approaches Equal laws and equal opportunity (liberal) Different economic system (Marxist and socialist) New sexual, cultural and socio-political order (radical) Fight neo-liberalism (global) Battle other sources of oppression (multicultural) Deconstruct gender (postmodern)

Most Important Lesson: Awareness! Become aware of past and current sources and manifestations of gender inequalities Identify how gender imbalances have affected knowledge, norms, social roles, institutions and social status Don’t take gender for granted and question where it might come from (not just sex) Be aware of how we may personally benefit from power imbalances and try to correct it Make others aware of what we know and become intolerant of gender discrimination