Introduction
The influence of different ideological trends on the population is sometimes significant, and certain provisions and norms determine the behavior of particular groups of people. When talking about the impact on women, some trends that are relevant today have led to a special attitude to the difference in sex and predetermined the specific order of life in the society. In particular, women’s health and the healthcare system as a whole largely depend on such a social ideology as feminism and its varieties.
Types of Feminism and Their Influence on Women’s Health
One of the subspecies of feminism is the Marxist or socialist direction. The main provisions of this direction are based on the relationship between gender and class inequalities with private property institutions. Class and gender are considered to be relatively autonomous systems, and each of them creates its own hierarchy. This approach does not give women any advantages in obtaining medical aid and generally defines the healthcare sphere as the area where each subject is equal.
Another type of feminism is its liberal direction formed under the influence of women’s emancipation. The basic principle of this direction is the rule of equal rights and opportunities. Liberal feminists believe that the oppression of women is rooted in the refusal to grant them equal rights with men. Accordingly, from the point of the healthcare sector, each supporter of such a movement has every right to count on the same medical care and not to have priorities over the other sex. Such an approach can have a positive impact on health in general if it is not distorted to the point of absurdity and does not represent an exclusively rational attitude to health care.
The essence of the radical ideology of feminism is the recognition of ontological differences between the man and the woman where the latter is oppressed through control (sexual harassment, violence, abortion, and other factors). Accordingly, the desire of women to protect themselves from such control has predetermined the emergence of the corresponding movement. From the point of view of medicine, women’s health can improve if some provisions of such a theory are implemented. In particular, if there is no pressure focused on abortion, more lives can be saved, which will positively affect the dynamics of population growth and will be ethically correct.
Patriarchy and Androcentrism
Additional theories that determine the gender difference and consider various rights of men and women are patriarchy and androcentrism. The patriarchy theory is characterized by the belief that the man has a leading and active role in the family and society, and the woman is subordinate and passive. This ideology is typical for many nations, and despite the modern civilized approach to the formation of social values, some complexities can arise from the point of view of healthcare. Thus, for example, there are male medical specialties, where female participation is not welcomed (surgery, traumatology, and others). However, this ideology does not have a negative impact on women’s health.
Androcentrism is the practice that places the man or the man’s opinion at the center of the world’s view, its culture, and history. A number of contentious issues associated with this theory arise – language norms, approaches to upbringing, and other nuances. This ideology does not have any negative effect on women’s health. Here, just as in the patriarchate, the opinions and views of men are leading, including the formation of the healthcare system.
Conclusion
The healthcare system in general and the health of women depend on some ideologies that imply a feminist orientation. Also, such concepts as patriarchy and androcentrism play an essential role in the society. Healthcare does not suffer much because of these ideologies, but some their features are manifested.