Introduction
In America, feminists confront the problem of social injustice and they are so eager to withstand its effects. The aim of feminism is to create a society, without any discrimination in race, class, and sexual equality. Now, social justice is also added to the foretold aims. Feminists know that without social justice, the important aims cannot be made into practice. In almost all societies, one can see the domination of males over females. American society is also like this. When we consider social justice, the interests of the male community are protected and the female community is considered as downtrodden and suppressed. So as to make a change in this situation, the feminists in America took efforts to improve the condition of women.
Main body
Earlier, raising food and raising children were considered the responsibility of peasants and women. The upper strata including dominant males were with clear hands and we’re not responsible to do menial jobs. Moreover, maleness was defined as a negative term i.e., not to be soft. Because of tiresome effort, slavery is abolished but the law for equal rights for men and women is still not been passed. Revolutions that were capable to change society ignored the rights of women. Moreover, the change in society by the revolution was one-sided. It was helpful for the lapse back into authoritarianism and class privilege.
Philip Slater points out that, our mothers do not have any influence upon their male children. In our society, male children are let free to be real boys. But the female children are restricted to the domain of their families. Their social circle is limited to their family. “One difficulty mothers have in our society is that they are too often expected to curb their natural socializing instincts in raising male children-to give sons more latitude so as not to interfere with their becoming “real boys”( that is, insensitive, selfish, destructive, violent, and incapable of caring for themselves)”. (Philip Slater P.90).
From their family itself, the male children are trained to dominate others. Here, mothers act as an instrument. So, it is evident that the rights of women in our society are suppressed by the male folk. History teaches us that the first act that was passed at the meeting of the Nazi Party in Germany, 1921 was a resolution, which points out that women could never be admitted to positions of leadership. When we consider Authoritarianism, it is clear that it is the creation of a male-dominated society, where women were considered as the prizes of conquest in wars. In our society, there are double standards for men and women.
In an authoritarian society, a woman who takes initiative is considered as bad. It is evident that the keystone of all authoritarian systems is the exploitation of women. When we consider democracy, it provides the best opportunities to men, not to women. But studies prove that women are capable to handle uncontrollable situations in their life.
In America, feminism is divided into two opposing traditions. One is Individualist feminism and the other is socialist feminism. The aim of the feminist view is that Women should have the same right as men in society and must be treated as equal as men. But we can see that the existing laws are the source of injustice so they must be changed. Wendy McElroy points out that the condition of women in the early 19th century was so bad.
They were not allowed to enter into a contract without the prior consent of their husbands. “In the early 19 th century, married women could not enter into contracts without their husband’s consent, women lost all title to property or future earnings upon marriage, children were legally controlled by the father, and women were often without recourse against kidnapping or imprisonment by husbands and other male relatives.” (McElroy). When women are married, their right to family property is lost. The children were under the control of their father. Moreover, women were considered slaves. In America, the individualist feminists considered equality as a political term and they fought for the individual rights of women. They were involved in the reform of birth control and marriage laws.
But the socialist feminists considered equality as a socio-economic term and they focused on the elimination of private property in society. But the roots of feminism and the fight for social justice are in abolitionism which is a radical anti-slavery movement. In America, the civil war changed and affected the popular view of government on the issue of equality. The feminists in America supported the war as a means of ending slavery.
In America, women are eager to involve in occupations that are considered male occupations. Women are eager to do works like construction, fire fighting, and the military. The opinion of feminists is that women can be independent through education. When they are educated, they can have a job of their own and freedom. But we can see that the women in America enjoy more freedom than women in other societies.
They are still making gains in education and other fields. When we consider the feminist movement in America, the familiar face is that of Hilary Clinton. During the election campaign for the presidential election in America, she was considered as a women candidate. She pointed out the need to end the war in Iraq, the importance of education, the defense of civil rights, and women’s rights. Katha Pollitt points out that, a women president would be an important symbol of equality and social justice in America.
But later she had to support Barak Obama as the presidential candidate. So it is evident that Hilary and Obama consider the problems that are confronted by women in modern society to affect the development of society. “If you believe in women and women’s rights–to reproductive freedom, healthcare, decent jobs, education and all the other things we need so we can flourish–you will listen to Hillary and work as hard for Obama as you would have done for her. You made her your leader. It’s time to follow her lead.” (Pollitt). So, when we consider equality of women as an important issue, we must support Obama. It is evident that people who are working for the wellbeing of women, whether men or women, must be considered feminists.
Social justice must bring transformation to feminism. Verna L. Williams and Kristin Kalsem point out that the aim of social justice is to transform feminism. When one considers a change in feminist views, it must be aimed at social justice and positive change in society. “At this critical time, with efforts to exacerbate the divides of race and gender, social justice feminism provides a new paradigm for talking about and examining these and other issues that threaten movements dedicated to dismantling oppression and bettering people’s lives.” (Williams and Kasem). Moreover, our society is divided on the basis of race and gender. So, we can see that social justice feminism is able to talk about and examine this sort of issue.
Conclusion
Before concluding, it must be pointed out that feminism is not confined to the circle of women. Moreover, it must be considered as the war against the cruelties of male domination. Nowadays, Feminists are more concerned about social justice in society. For a female, her femininity, her physical background, role in the family and society restrict from further development as an individual. To attain social justice for all, the burning issues of feminists must be considered and the rigid laws in the society must undergo amendment.
Work cited
Pollit, Katha. Hillary Does the Right Thing.
Slater, Philip. A dream deferred. P.90.
Wendy, McElroy. The roots of feminism.The Roots of Individualist Feminism in 19th-Century America. 2007. Web.
Williams, Verna L., and Kalsem, Kristin. Social justice feminism. Social Science Research Network. 2008. Web.