{"id":143754,"date":"2022-08-24T18:18:58","date_gmt":"2022-08-24T12:48:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.regenesys.net\/reginsights\/?p=143754"},"modified":"2022-08-24T18:20:10","modified_gmt":"2022-08-24T12:50:10","slug":"a-feminism-primer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.regenesys.net\/reginsights\/a-feminism-primer","title":{"rendered":"A Feminism Primer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Feminism is a social and political movement that advocates for the rights of women on the grounds of equality of sexes. Feminism accepts the biological differences between the sexes but demands equality in opportunities in social and political and economic arenas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, feminist campaigns have been a crucial part of history in women’s empowerment. It has delivered the right to vote for women, the admission of women into male-dominated workplaces as well as wider access to education. Historically, traditional marriages required the father of the bride to \u201cgive\u201d the bride to the groom, much like a chattel. In other words, the bride had limited agency in this marriage arrangement.<\/span><\/p>\n

The concept of power lies at the heart of understanding feminism. Feminism strives for equality of the sexes, not the superiority of women. Feminism confronts the gender roles that have been allocated to women \u2013 childcare, home cleaning, cooking etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

Feminism argues successfully that these so-called \u201cgender roles\u201d have been thrust on women by the power relationship with men and the social structures of power which are dominated by men. Most company boards are made up largely of men. Men predominate in structures of government. Some religious organisations disqualify women from holding positions of authority, purely because they are female. This gives rise to a lop-sided society where some peoples\u2019 wishes are given priority, purely because of their sex, and not necessarily because of their competence to participate and shape the debate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Feminism wants all people to live free and empowered lives without being limited by traditional restrictions. The central premise is that women can make a powerful contribution to society, but they are often excluded because of societal restrictions placed on their participation. The core concepts in feminist theory are sex, gender, race, discrimination, equality, difference, and choice. There are systems and structures in place that work against individuals based on these qualities and against equality and equity. Research in critical feminist paradigms requires the simultaneous building of awareness of these oppressive systems and creates spaces for diverse voices to speak for themselves, and not through others.<\/span><\/p>\n

The following is a broad overview of feminist theory:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. There are systems of power and oppression in society. These structures are not apparent on the surface, but they are extremely powerful. \u201cYou can\u2019t be an engineer because you need to be good at mathematics\u201d. \u201cWomen are too emotional\u201d. \u201cWe can\u2019t appoint a woman to that role, – she can\u2019t travel because she has children\u201d. \u201cA woman will never be able to manage the construction team.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. These power structures are used by the powerful against the less powerful to maintain the status quo. These arguments are based on some supposed differences \u2013 race, language, gender etc.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. The status quo thus excludes those discriminated against. This is precisely because there are few advocates within the traditional power structures. Women are largely excluded not based on their ability to perform the work, but because they are female.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Feminism seeks to disrupt this comfortable status quo. It seeks to break up the exclusionary male domains and allow anyone, male or female, to get access to roles and positions they can do.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Feminism is thus the process of education advocacy and activism that seeks the overturn this cabal.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    There was an insightful vignette on social media recently. A well-known orchestra was auditioning for new violin players, and they wanted to increase the number of female violin players in the orchestra. But sadly, every female auditioned did not match their exacting standards. The conductor had a brainwave. He screened the auditioning violin player from the view of the selection panel and continued the auditions. Suddenly the successful violin players included many more females because the judges had to rely solely on the quality of the playing and not the visual appearance of the player.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The following statements expand on the nature of feminism:<\/span><\/p>\n