Is gender a biological or a social term? What about our biological differences, then? Are they neglected when talking about equality? What about men’s rights? Have they not faced injustice through this system? What about the cultures that have opposed these ideas? These questions made me doubt if feminism is right or not. Is it just a utopian vision?
Dual nature of gender
Gender is both a biological and a social term. Whether it should be a social term is better left unanswered because societal tags when removed often cause disorder as they threaten the existence of the society and the psychological framework that has created this society. Overcoming this situation is not a simple task because we often forget that not only men created this structure but the whole of our society. And it can only be shattered by each one of us. We cannot victimize one group and not look at the other. At the core of feminism lies equality, with equality alone, we can implement true feminism.
Hiding behind the mask of biological distinctions
We can never deny that we are physiologically different but the partiality we face in society has nothing to do with natural differences. It is a pathetic system that has survived throughout history and cultures. It has lived this long through the suppression of women by self-centered men and women suffering from internalized misogyny. And also the equality feminists seek is not based on physiological differences but rather centered on equal rights and opportunities.
Do men struggle in this uproar?
“It is a rare and difficult thing for a man to be himself.”- JAMES BALDWIN.
A man does not cry is a phrase that every person has heard once or twice in their lifetime for themselves or others. As children, they are anticipated to be rigid which in “societal terms” proves their masculinity. When will we realize that even if they are breadwinners in their homes, they have the right to be sensitive and affectionate? We are surrounded by stereotypes and eventually, little by little we start believing in them and this cycle of preconceptions never ends.
Feminism through the years
Feminism has an audacious past with its roots connected to bold voices challenging the world order itself. It has become quite popular in the last few decades but it is not a new term. It has been appreciated and received criticism long before it gained fame. Females with voices were seen as taboo in the last centuries and even now they are considered outspoken in many places. They are expected to be polite and men to be stoic and aggressive.
Literature’s hand in feminism
When Charles Dickens in his work criticized the societal expectations of a man and Henrik Ibsen challenged the traditional gender roles, they were met with mixed reactions from people who viewed it as an attack towards masculinity. Jane Austen wrote her strong-willed characters and Charlotte Bronte gave us Jane Eyre. They must have received their share of backlash for portraying women in such a way that they had manly traits. Still, none of that stopped these authors from writing about it, and publishers from publishing it since it was the right thing to do, no matter how unrealistic the view of just society was in the past. In the present times, they are appreciated for their depth and phenomenal ideas.
The impacts of culture on gender roles
Cultures reflect our beliefs, values, and traditions and have been passed down from generation to generation. They are a mirror that showcases our society at its core with all its divisions concerning gender, religion, and opinions that differ. People have hidden behind culture to protect their sexist views for as long as we can remember. Cultures can unite but we have constantly used them to create divisions.
Have cultures become too shallow?
Every culture has its uniqueness and depth, with a mold that abandons anyone who does not comply with this framework. A framework that has caused distinctions between people for thousands of years and continues to do so. Chauvinism had nothing to do with the region they belong to or with their race. Be it Western countries or Eastern ones, they have all treated women as an inferior species from time to time and it is saddening to say that they still do. Middle Eastern countries still hold their outdated views of male authority and patriarchal mindsets in their families. Isn’t it quite funny that dowry is still a thing in many parts of India?
Is feminism right?
Whether feminism is right or wrong depends on the approach of how we see it. Feminism can be seen as female-dominating, hateful, and uncomfortable but it does not have to be. It should be about valuing your worth and appreciating others’ worth. It should be about knowing that each one of us deserves the same rights and opportunities and should not compromise with that even if others’ opinions say otherwise.
A concluding perspective on feminism
Feminism should not be linked to man-hating rather it should be associated with equality. It angers me when a man thinks that feminism is an unnecessary or exaggerated concept. It angers me more when a woman says the same things because only a woman knows what she has to go through. Similarly, only a man knows what he has to face. To undermine their struggle is to stand with all they had fought against.
If you possess an opinion that feminism is irrelevant or insignificant and it is not going to make an impact. In the words of John Keating
“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”
They have till now and will continue to do so. In the same hope I have written this article to convey a simple message that feminism may appear unattractive or even complicated sometimes. But in my opinion, it is the simplest idea of all, as what it represents is a just world with equality, acceptance, and liberation.