Feminism & Law Essay

Feminism simply refers to the thought that women and men should acquire sympathetic and represent rights in all fronts, be it rideually, politics, economics or civilized amongst others. Though feminist style efforts can be traced back to the late nineteenth century, intense activism can be placed at the upper cast of the 20th century where there arose feminist movements, philosophy, theories and literature supporting comp are between the sexs. Indeed these movements and efforts bore fruits and are credited with the revolution that would run into a flurry of laws enacted and policies aimed at opening more opportunities implemented.The recent prehistorical years have seen this change and feminist movements have stimulate motionless and almost irrelevant, many agree that this has been brought forth by the mere detail that their grievances were addressed. Indeed feminism had genuine grievances. A look at the traditional party, and as well the prevailing circumstances up to the world war period, indicates that the society was highly patriarchal. Both the unwritten and the written rules were aimed at subjugating women while elevating the none of men in all aspects.Job opportunities, politics and economics were completely rule by men. Women leadership was looked down upon and women roles were only limited to menage chores. The Declaration of Sentiments, a document detailing grievances of women as published in 1846 during the Seneca Falls Convention, has clearly let outlined these concerns indicating how inequality raged in the male dominated society be it in the marriages, economics and also in the workplaces (Estelle, 2003). The lynchpin grievances ranged from the role of women in marriages and also the pursuit of equal opportunities in the workplaces.The starting off wave of feminism was concentrating its efforts in rooting out inequality aimed at property rights and universal voting rights. These were accorded by the law by the first quart er of the 20th century. The second wave of liberation was radical and was engage injustices meted out against women revolving near cultural and political inequalities. These grievances were touching on the very foundation of marriage and want to ensure that a womans voice and rights in marriage were respected and ensured by the law.Consequently, legislations recognizing marital bollix up were enacted and womens rights in regard to divorces were also put into place. Abortion was also a key concern and resulted to intensified activism demanding for women to be allowed to take wangle of their sexuality and also the fate of their pregnancies. The Roe v Wade verge court ruling that outlawed abortion was seen as a major success for feminist movements. Political and social rights were advanced. The third wave of feminism became referred to as the Womens Liberation and took place from the late 1970s to 1990s.This was aimed at rooting out sexism and all forms of discriminations espec ially in the workplaces. Women demanded laws aimed at tackling sex discrimination and abuse. This was a wave that was also aiming at rooting out the perception that feminist movements were pursuing the upper class women, it is for this reason that this movement began focusing at the issues that generally affected women such as gender based violence and the removal of gender based connotations and stereotypes (Estelle 2006).With the accomplishments of the ideals that feminism sought to achieve, there is now a general feeling that feminism has become irrelevant. As Anita (2004, 96) contends, years and years past this feminist thing was genuinely big and people did fight for womens rights, and that was good. But we are equal now, so theres not that need. This is indeed the prevailing dapple feminism has ceased to be relevance. Women have acquired rights and although still disadvantaged, have equal rights to men.The wroth bra burning and men bashing activists are no eight-day arou nd as their common objectives were met and the modern woman is unencumbered by the traditional feminist ties (Estelle 2006). The popular media is said to mirror the society bringing into post all the held perceptions and norms. A comparison of the movies that cropped up a couple of decades ago and todays movies for example indicates a stark contrast. Whereas the 80s movies gave women subtle and adjuvant roles, modern movies are according men and women equal roles and are represent women playing the roles that were regarded as the preserve of men.They are also no longer seen as sex toys and objects to provide comic relief in movies and magazines save are rather playing active roles. Todays women are seen as assertive in their own right but not mere props to support men, they are holding executive roles and have plunged deep into the cutthroat executive and political affairs if the recent Hillary Clintons electioneering is anything to go by. They possess charisma and enough magne tic pull to go out demanding political tasks as their men counterparts.Though sexism is yet to be eradicated, the rigorous feminist movements no longer enjoy the huge rank like they used to in the 80s, today they have taken a more integrative approach. References Anita H. (2004). All about the girl culture, power, and identity. Routledge. Estelle B. F. (2006) Feminism, sexuality, and politics essays. UNC Press. Estelle B. F. (2003) No Turning Back The History of Feminism and the Future of Women. Ballantine Books.