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12. Modern feminism: Pros & cons.

Feminism is the organized movement which promotes equality for men & women in political, economic & social spheres.

Feminists believe that women are oppressed simply due to their sex based on the dominant ideology of patriarchy. Throughout history men have had greater power in both the public & private spheres. To maintain this power men have created boundaries & obstacles for women, thus making it harder to hold power.

Feminist ideology can take many different forms. In the 1970's women started to develop a theory which helped to explain their oppression. Pockets of resistance began to organize & challenge patriarchy. By the 1980's, however, feminists started to disagreeing. What was once one theory began to branch out into many theories. I can name some of them:

* Socialist Feminism. Socialist feminists believe that there is a direct link between class culture & the oppression of women.

Societyrewards working men because vthey produce material goods, on the other hand, women's work in the domestic sphere is not valued. The way to end this oppression is to put an end to class & gender distinctions.

* Cultural Feminism. C. feminists believe that there are fundamental biological differences b/n men & women, & that women should celebrate these differences. Women are inherently more kind & gentle. They believe that if women ruled teh world there would be no more war.

* Ecofeminism. Ecofeminists believe that male domination is harmful to women as well as the the environment. Men feel as though they must conquer both in order to have complete power. There is a deep connection b/n the Earth & women men which can't understand, hence appear the terms "Mother Nature" or "Mother Earth". Like any other movement Feminism has its own pros & cons.

Pros:

1. Women strived to obtain equality in every sphere of life & have actually achieved it.

2. The equal rights help to create healthy society, which is the generator of social balance.

3.The possibility of self-realization.

4.The ability of women to protect themselves.

5. Through feminism women get greater confidence in themselves.

6. Women hove acquired a higher social status as a result of this movement.

7. More possibilities opened in jobs & social activities.

8. Elimination of job & sex discrimination.

9. Feminism caused more participation in the family affairs on the part of men.

Cons:

1. Higher rates of divorces, low birth-rate.