In her essay, Benhabib discusses her strategy for comprising a feminist paradigm, which will narrow the gaps of gender inequality for women. She incorporates multiple feminist theories, both postmodernist and standpoint feminism, to emphasize how women haven’t been able to conform to one identity. Throughout the text, she invites readers to question which theory to choose or rather how feminism will be defined in the future. Fortunately, as current readers, we realize that some of Benhabib’s main arguments about woman’s identity still hold true, particularly exemplified in Emma Watson’s “HeforShe” campaign.
Are we continually facing the same issues in defining a female paradigm as Benhabib did?
Benhabib begins her argument with the discourse between Gilligan and MacKinnon to emphasize the idea of women becoming defined by society or more specifically their male counterparts. Based on history, much of society tends to operate on how males set standards for woman from their jobs and behavior to they way they are allowed to dress. For instance, earlier in history women were considered men’s property- only able to abide by men’s commands. This idea of men having ownership over woman pervaded many spheres- social, political, and economical. Although, society has moved past many of these standards, women continue to become exposed to new stereotypes that redefine acceptable behavior. Emma Watson applies these same concepts, however in recent news, showing that some gender based assumptions have remained the same. For instance, woman should act submissive and reserved compared to their male counterparts.
If we were to create our own definition of feminism, would it be contradictory since society (predominately males) would have to approve it?
Watson indirectly answers this questions by stating, “No country in the world can yet say they have achieved gender inequality.” Approximately 20 years have passed since Benhabib has published this essay, yet these ideas continue to be challenged in our everyday lives. Our definition of feminism has expanded into new theories, but neither of these theories had ended feminism. The reason is that men, who play large roles in society, have the power to determine the proper definition of feminism. These men are in control, regardless of the amount of women who advocate for a different definition. Instead, these women are viewed as a collective not an individual. For example, collectively woman will hold these stereotypes unless men decide to lobby for gender equality. Benhabib offers the idea that women have felt like the victimized group, but if men weren’t compelled to assert their power and act superior then women may have an equal opportunity. Emma Watson includes men in the issue of gender inequality to emphasize how men can help redefine these standards.
All of these theories attempt to create a separate paradigm, would it become possible to balance these theories or are they too extreme?
Benhabib mentions that standpoint feminism focuses on mothering, whereas, post structuralism addresses more of the taboo aspects of being identified as a woman. Emma Watson blends these two aspects in her speech by trying to form a new identity for woman. The idea is that with new theories we have created multiple identities all hoping to end with the same goal: a less male dominated version of our own identity. These theorist fail to mention that we must be able to balance society’s version of feminism with our own as woman. We are still members of society; therefore, we must follow some norms. Ultimately, we come to the resolution that we will have to conform to an identity.
If we are placing the responsibility on men, will they be able to abandon their own social identities to fix gender inequality?
Feminism appeals to all of society, including men. In order to define the female’s new identity, we must aim to redefine it through the men’s identity. In other words, we must teach boys that they behave as they previously did. Boys don’t need to be forced to adopt a superior mentality over women or take interest in only male dominated activities. When boys are able to learn that they can express their emotion, as they need, contrary to the belief of suppressing their feelings to act less emotional, is when change will occur. When men view women as being able to have an equal opportunity given the available resources, is when change will also occur. Men need to let go of their previous identities if they would like to make a step toward gender equality.
-Erin Schwartz
Works Cited
Benhabib, Seyla. “From Identity Politics to Social Feminism: A Plea for the Nineties.” Web. http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/EPS/PES-Yearbook/94_docs/BENHABIB.htm. 1-13.
Erin-
ReplyDeleteI felt similar to you when I was writing this blog post, and took an approach that emphasized some of the same points as you did. When you asked, “Are we continually facing the same issues in defining a female paradigm as Benhabib did?”, I feel that I have an answer for that:
In short, a resounding yes. However, to delve deeper, I would say that just how Welling sees society capitalizing on nature, women, at this very moment, even for as far as we’ve come, are still dealing with the oppression that the feminist paradigm brings to the table, just like Benhabib called to attention. We see this in examples such as women today still making less than men, more specifically, women making 77 cents to the man’s dollar; Michelle Obama doing as much as she does for the United States yet she doesn’t see a paycheck (although she clearly gets other monetary and exclusive benefits); Emma Watson’s HeforShe campaign on her quest to bring awareness and change to gender equality (like you expanded upon), etc. When you said, “Benhabib begins her argument with the discourse between Gilligan and MacKinnon to emphasize the idea of women becoming defined by society or more specifically their male counterparts…”, it made me want to have included that in my blog post to back up reasons why women are still paid less than men. Because, even as she says years and years ago, “women are defined…by their male counterparts”. Kind of like that saying, “anything you can do I can do better” – it used to be on a commercial or something. Women are constantly trying to prove themselves to society, and men, to define themselves rather than being defined.
-Morgan Crawford