Feminism (The Tip of One of the Icebergs, on the Subject)

Feminism varies between different cultures, tribes, and ages. Throughout History, Women’s Rights have been an issue not only important to women, but men as well. The idealism changes differently from one culture to another. In the following sections, I will portray The Feminist Movement throughout different cultures to the best of my ability by citing accredited peer-reviewed articles and give a personal testimony how the movement has developed throughout the world.

We learned in the book that many tribal cultures have different beliefs. It is self-evident that in some societies men and women are held to different standards. While studying gender roles while also studying the broader category of studying human behavior, psychology, or humans in general which could be deemed anthropology, we see that the female version of the Homo Sapien has in fact gone through many diverse cultural changes throughout history.

Some women live in a Matriarchal society and have more dominance and control over their wants and needs. While respected, they tend to get what they desire as well as have the help they need to achieve their goals. In the culture I grew up in, a man is supposed to hold the door for women, rise at the table when a lady enters the room, and gracefully hold her hand in public while walking to protect her when an automobile is near. These are considered cultural norms in my opinion. However, across different cultures throughout the world, some of these practices are not noticed or recognized and women not only play different roles, but feel the need to act in a different manner. Some men, such as in many Middle Eastern countries see women as submissive and while treating them as prize possessions, give them fewer rights in issues such as purchasing land. The United States had such issues at one time and because of many social movements women were then granted the right to vote and own property. My grandmother, Lanelle Arant, volunteers at the Women’s Museum every year to not only educate people about Women’s suffrage, but also other things pertaining to how the female gender has been portrayed, viewed, and changed over time in America. One thing I MUST say is that not all people are equally treated. While our Constitution says that all Men are Created Equal, some see that as a way to not include women. Many protests, rallies, and meetings have resulted in more equality here in the States that resulted in women not only catapulting from a subservient role in society to a dominant one, but also to more liberation that includes everything from freedom, to the simple comfort of not having to live in fear. I learned these facts from not only women I have conversed with, but from documentaries about Women’s History and the feminist movement.

In the latter part of the Twentieth Century, events took place such as “bra burning” and movements to promote women’s sexual freedom. I have personally seen recently that younger female adults have stopped shaving their armpits, dying their armpit hair, and making the statement that, “I do not have to conform!” This can be considered similar to a non-violent protest towards the dehumanization that some women go through, the countless hours getting ready just to be seen in public and other issues and standards that mainstream society has placed over their heads. While some women in other countries such as Southern Asia do not even shave their legs and hair is not considered un-normal, for some Western societies, these burdens have been placed solely on women as a gender difference. Burning bras and making these types of statements have been a big indicator and influence on the feminist movement in the Western Hemisphere

Another aspect of the feminist movement, which differs from country to country, is that of sexual freedom. Birth control is different in Africa than that of the freedom allowed in the United States. While Planned Parenthood does get a lot of grief from Religious institutions, it offers STD testing as well as birth control and at times abortions to women who want to control their own bodies. My cousin, Emily Burnett has been a missionary and volunteer in several countries, and as not only a feminist but a spokesperson for women’s rights, she actually has to teach women in South Africa how to handle their feminine needs. In that country, for example, young girls are not taught in school or by their parents how to take care of themselves. Living in a Patriarchal society can be very different than that of a more gender-equal society. It is almost like saying, “If a girl has a period, banish her to the woods!” Or at least, so it can seem. The difference in a societies’ religious beliefs also factor towards gender roles such whether predominance conforms to Islamic, Christian, or another religion that has different beliefs. Some practices require women to dress a certain way that in fact can cross borders of all nations. The jihab, a Muslim piece of clothing that is meant to cover a woman’s hair is similar to that of a Catholic nun, yet required in some cultures. Some extremists think this is abuse, while others think that those that wear jihabs are extremists. However, there are two sides to the story, making the movement more complicated, and that also diversifies women cross culturally. I have heard, personally, women say they feel sorry their “sisters” who have to cover their bodies at all times. The point of this is they feel like they are making sure their woman friend is not being completely controlled by a man or a man-made religion. They do have that opinion. The other side says, women who dress in clothes that not only shows their legs, but busts, and hair, are being used by men as sex objects, while they cover their hair and legs in a sign of respect. This has been a historic debate, and draws from topics of religion, respect, sexuality, and freedom. As the evolution of humanity takes its course, many issues in feminism also arise .

These types of beliefs held in certain societies have changed the ways some women react to life, deal with situations, and also changed the feminist movement to not only reach out to women and empower them across the globe; but to help them achieve if not equality, some sort of dignity.

When reading through the Anthropology textbook provided by El Centro College, I found that many women have more than one partner, control their sex lives, and even get to choose who they mate with. In some cultures, the man chooses the woman instead. Stereotypically, I was raised where a boy asks a girl if she wants to be partners. This does give her a choice, but other cultures are more open to a woman’s voice being heard where she may either allow advances or pursue a partner as she chooses Tribal customs differ, and as there is controversy on Margaret Mead’s findings, she still is a well renowned Anthropologist. No one really knows what goes on in culture until they experience it for themselves. I find this to be true myself. As a male, I cannot claim to completely understand the feminist movement one hundred percent, but am willing to partake in most of its endeavors. Studying humans, learning about foreign cultures, or even just people watching opens the doors to new experiences and knowledge as well as a chance to interact with society and change the course of history.

When the feminist movement stops, whether because of suppression or success; our society will change not for the better but for the worst. The Food and Agriculture Society of the United Nations also has a Regional Gender Strategy Plan that can be considered feminist. When asked if one loves their mother, all males will say yes. This is my opinion, yet, in all different cultures including: African, Asian, European, North and South American, or Australian. Basically, on a Global scale, women are joining the movement to not only be appreciated and loved, but respected and treated as equals to men. Advances in this movement vary in different cultures and in some are so far advanced that no progress is necessary. Masculinity in some cultures is also at a standstill, I MUST say. However, this movement is not only important to anthropology and the study of humans, but just in general as a good ethical practice. These are my thoughts and conclusions after studying feminism, conducting interviews, and living with a pretty cool girlfriend.