Exploration of Feminism, Liberty, and additional Strong Language
In the annals of history, the role of women has been a subject of constant evolution and contention. From the early days of human civilization to the present, women have faced various challenges and inequalities, often rooted in cultural, social, legal, and philosophical factors that have entrenched male dominance and female subordination.
The system that has structured societies for centuries is known as patriarchy, where women have been relegated to the lower, passive position that defines man's superiority by contrast. This system has been justified by influential thinkers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who portrayed women as naturally subordinate, frivolous, and intellectually inferior to men. Societal notions of femininity reinforced these stereotypes, assigning traits like passivity, dependency, and emotionality to women.
Historically, legal systems began to formalize gender roles, positioning women as dependents of men. Laws restricted women's rights, such as denying ownership of property, participation in public life, or education. For instance, in medieval Europe, women were barred from owning property or engaging in politics, remaining legally and economically dependent on men.
Women often found socially acceptable roles mainly in family and religious spheres, which limited their public influence. While some women gained influence in specific contexts (such as queens or nuns), these were exceptions rather than the rule.
From early childhood, women were socialized to fit into culturally constructed roles emphasizing domesticity and subservience, reinforced through education, media, and religion.
However, resistance and early advocacy existed, such as Roman women protesting restrictions on luxury goods, and later figures like Christine de Pizan in the 14th–15th centuries who challenged prevailing misogyny and called for women's education and equality. These voices were often marginalized.
The story of feminism, freedom, and other f-words remains a living, breathing movement, reshaping itself with each new generation. The role of women has expanded to include Black feminism, Indigenous feminism, postcolonial feminism, ecofeminism, and more, challenging the traditional patriarchal narrative and fighting for the rights of the most vulnerable among us.
The signs of societal obsession with a girl's body are present before puberty. The phrase "Shorir kharap," a euphemism for periods in some cultures, signifies a girl's entry into womanhood and the beginning of societal obsession with her body. This obsession manifests in various ways, including admiration, regulation, sexualization, and shaming.
Love, sacrifice, and service are often dangled before women as virtues, but when demanded only from one half of humanity, they become chains. A girl's first undergarment is bought like contraband in some societies, and lessons in the kitchen hint that a girl's value lies in her culinary skills.
The movement toward gender equality and women’s rights only gained significant momentum in the late 19th and 20th centuries, catalyzed by suffrage movements and feminist advocacy. By the late 18th century, feminist movements began to demand recognition of women as full human beings with equal rights, dignity, and freedom.
This journey through history serves as a testament to the resilience of women and the power of feminism. As we continue to challenge the status quo and strive for a more equitable world, the story of feminism, freedom, and other f-words will continue to evolve and inspire future generations.
[1] Rousseau, J. J. (1762). Émile: or, On Education. Translated by A. Bloom. Basic Books. [2] de Pizan, C. (1405). The Book of the City of Ladies. Translated by M. Showalter. Penguin Classics. [3] Brownmiller, S. (1975). Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape. Simon & Schuster. [4] Moss, J. (2009). Women and Power in the Middle Ages. Routledge. [5] Kandiyoti, D. (1988). Women and Suffrage in the Middle East: The Arab World and Turkey. In M. Ferree & C. Hess (Eds.), Comparative History of Women's Suffrage: A Centennial Perspective (pp. 229-245). Indiana University Press.
- As we strive for a more equitable world, the intersection of science and health-and-wellness can play a significant role in women's health, particularly in challenging the longstanding patriarchal views of influential thinkers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau regarding women's intellectual inferiority.
- Advocacy for women's health and wellness is an integral part of contemporary feminism, with movementssuch as reproductive rights advocacy, mental health awareness, and body positivity continuing to challenge the traditional patriarchal narrative and fight for the rights of women in all walks of life.
