The Gender Debate and Feminism

 It's a rather long debate once started, whether modern-day feminism can really count up to the great number of inequalities women of different backgrounds have faced over the centuries. Whether feminists are actually even getting what they ask for in the first place. But I feel we've come a long way from the gender differences that have been shaped by multiple reasons over such long periods of time. That's probably one huge factor that delayed me from writing this post for almost a whole year; I'd pick any topic other than this to converse on.

Dumb are those who deny at all terms that the gender debate even exists in the first place. While misogyny and patriarchy might seem like words we've only recently learnt, they are barely named now, the practices from ages past. And after a lot of thought, I came to the conclusion that we've, in fact, knowingly or unknowingly been exploiting our women a little too much. It's obvious how much we glorify women living their important part as emotional anchors for us, and think a lot of their presence in our lives, but oftentimes forgt of our roles in their lives.

This post is supposed to be sequel to my post from nearly the same date last year - about the eldest child and the difference in gender roles expectde of them simply based off of the gender - link. I do remember pointing out how we all promote the upliftment of women who most need it - but is it really as simple as women's right, or is there more involved, naturally, which we do not see. 

Let's start with the roots of the practice itself - feminism rose initially as a movement or revolution - against the lack of basic human rights and basic beliefs of capability and knowledgibility. It had started as an out for women, over a system that forgot to consider them as humans of value. In a time where women were bred and taught solely for the purpose for another- and starting a family. In a time where women lacked the basic rights like voting, or owning their own properties beyond marriage - It started to ensure women were seen as equals of men, and equally capable of thinking for themselves, fending for themselves and living for their own selves - instead of their sole purpose in life being to mark a happy family. 

While these were the basic checkpoints women's rights movements had started with - they have taken a lot of fresh turns over time. What started at getting the very basic rights of education, legal identities, soon turned towards the social and cultural inequalities faced by women in multiple aspects of general living. Attention started to be redirected to issues such as workplace discrimination, reproductive rights of women, fair and equal treatment of both by the law, the detachment from marriage and housework as sole purpose of women- the narrative of equality saw a shift towards everyday life and better outlook and opportunities for women.

Rising high needed women to be acknowledged and helped, so a newer phase or wave of feminism arose towards the identity and representation in women in major institutions that run the world - from legislature to judiciary, media to medicals. It was a highlight towards the intersection of gender with race, class, culture. How women were viewed as inferiors, and abrupt shifts in mindsets, lack of proper thinking, disrespect towards women and issues like misogyny started to gain momentum in open room discussions.

This is what led to modern-day feminism or women's rights movements, which in fact may have newer ideals, but are not much different from what women have been fighting for- for quite a while now. While earlier times had only countered on how women were viewed and mistreated, a newer wave brought forward topics many women have felt, endured and unfortunately most have faced. Casual Sexism, loss of representation, harrassment, objectification- to name a few.

What had started to uplift women and make them an equal part of modern society, what was meant to an sctive revolution against a lacking structure of society, has in the modern day turned to a threat to women's own mental and physical safety. Some major themes of modern day feminism are harrasment and sexual abuse, online activism to promote fair treatment and mutual respect. Representation of women in power positions may have improved in modern day, but still seems to not be enough for we still have cases where women are denied education, basic rights of living.

There may be people tired and pissed of feminism, because in urban areas the reality seems to be far better than the truth at the grassroot. While tier 1 and 2 cities may be living in that fourth phase or rather wave of feminism and women's rights- rural areas still face issues of basic necessities for women. Feminism needs to stay alive, for as long as there is even one person who needs it. Debates in big cities may be about equality in workplaces, harassment, portrayal of women, and while these issues are important, rural areas may not even have the priviledge to know, let alone recognise these as problems.

There's another point to discuss- or maybe a different aspect of this debate that biology brings us to - naturally, women are more empathetic and would obviously do far better at the caretaking jobs as compared to a male companion. The child is, by nature, and by the process of its own birth, born connected and well associated with their mother. Which has always been the reason we associated jobs of caretaking and looking after the household with women, and it does stand true that under stable conditions where a woman gets the right association, women would end up in caretaking roles. 

"For example, studies in countries like Sweden and Norway show that when choices are very open, some gender differences in job preferences actually remain. That suggests biology might influence tendencies, but it doesn’t necessarily dictate strict roles."

 A very interesting question came to my mind when thinking of all aspects together - which one of the two - matriarchy vs patriarchy would be better supported naturally? 

Now the thing here is - unlike other animals of our lineage - human babies are born rather dependent on the parents. So a kid would require a mother, a father, even siblings and social connections would play a huge role in development for a child. So most naturally, neither patriarchy nor matriarchy would be wholly suited for a human population- a balance of powers and agreement on equal share in responsibilities would be key. While women do have an advantage by nature, they may face competition in reference to physical competition.

The modern day systems are far different compared to what our ancestors- the hunter gatherers had come across. For most of human history men would hunt, and women would gather food, handle childcare. It was a fairly cooperative system with both parties performing a nurturing role. No one party had higher power or more liability. With the onset of agriculture, the patterns of inheritance started to change how our societies fucntioned. The sons would be handed over land, which made them powerful and righteously more liable towards the household.

So considering basic human rights -

Yes, the argument for equal legal rights is sensible.

If men and women are both human beings with the same moral worth, then it makes sense that they should have the same legal protections, opportunities, and freedoms.

What makes a difference or rather changes the narrative is when the debate considers roles in family, whether the difference we see are formed by culture or natural tendencies and how far really does equality stretch. There's a balance to it, under the law and in general opportunity, women must be considered equal to men, but when it comes down to roles and outcomes, each person may have their own opinions or arrangements. The ideas that women are bound to caretaking- end up binding every individual of the gender under the lens of caretaking.

Feminism is about each woman having equal opportunity logically when compared to their male counterparts in theory. Disagreements usually bring this debate down to how society should, forcing a set principle not only women, but also on men, which ultimately makes it harder on both parties.

Feminism is far more than just women's rights, or women complaining about unequality, it has multiple dynamics, with each person living a different version of it, because while in theory we consider women as equals, not all of them truly have equal opportunities.

Now there is a difference in theory and reality - so new post lookout? Yeps.

Love Love,

Rashima <3