Gloria Sheinbaum

Amy Lynch-Biniek
College Composition 030
04/26/16

American Views on Feminism

What comes to your mind when you think of Feminism? Though Feminism is
defined as the movement of social, political and economic equality between men and
women (Webster 1), it can spark many ideas and theories each person has towards it,
influenced by our social, economic and political American history. Throughout American
history, women of all backgrounds fought for the belief that men and women are equal
and that it is not fair for a women to not be able to chose her way of life because of the
belief that she is weak or "inferior". In my personal opinion, Feminism is part of the
fabric of our nation. Feminism has made it possible for women of all colors to rise and
embrace who they are, giving freedoms such as a women running for president, and
simply not feeling alone in a patriarchal society. Even so, many young Americans
misunderstand the concept of feminism. Taking a closer look at the many different
opinions people have throughout the United States, this may help one to completely get
the big picture as to why this movement started in the first place.

Americas youth are the essential citizens who validates how far a movement can
continue because it is up to the them to continue those principals or to completely
abolish them. So as the American youth, what can be done in order to keep a
movement alive and continuing through the generations, especially a movement thats
purpose is to bring equality to all genders? Above all opinions and ideas, the core way
to keep a movement strong is by educating our children the correct definition and
purpose of the movement so that way, whether they disagree or agree with the
movement, can have a thorough understanding of what the whole point of this mission is
and how to properly enforce it.
Coming across both modern and traditional perspectives, one of the most
interesting perspective I found was Nigerian/American Samuel Adu-Poku, a 26 year old
philosophy student at Millersville University. Born in Nigeria and moving to America at a
very young age, his family was very culturally based off of his native home of Nigeria.
Originating in Nigeria, his family beliefs are based off of the idea that men are dominant
physically and mentally in the household, the battlefield, and through politics. (AduPoku, Samuel. 7) These ideas have not just begun with Adu's family, but throughout
centuries to this current year. The ideals that he was raised with are very different of
modern America's values, yet that does not stop him from identifying himself as a
feminist and going against his family's and culture's beliefs. This is a perfect example

that just because you grew up in specific ideas and views due to your familys personal
beliefs doesnt mean you cannot branch off from them and form your own opinions that
are unique to you which is a powerful concept to remember.
A college survey done by Professors Susan H. Howell and Cameron D. Schatt of
Campbellsville University in Kentucky on general studies majors and psychology majors
was introduced to get a idea what typical students think as to what the term "Feminism"
meant to them and if certain situations performed by the opposite sex were appropriate
such as holding a door open. The outcome of the survey was not surprising in the least
that the majority of student's believed Feminism meant women were better then men,
and that for most men it was not masculine to cry, also that it was inappropriate for a
man to not hold a door open for women.(Howell, Susan H. Cameron D. Schatt 2) All of
these assumptions and circumstances are not at all what Feminism stands for because
they all are based off of inequality between men and women. By asking college students
what it means to them, not only do we get a sense of how people identify feminism but
with this information we as a people can improve at teaching children at a young age
what Feminism truly is so this misconception is prevented for future generations. A
constant problem that was proven was the majority of students believed that because
the word Feminism had the term Fem in it, made it seem like it was all just for womens
rights and purely to make women stronger then men. Though this is the completely false

from what Feminism actually means, it is incredibly interesting to understand this idea
because unfortunately, it is very popular among young adults.
Journalist Angela D. Dillard explores women who have trouble identifying
themselves as Feminists due to being or growing up with conservatism in her article,
Adventures In Conservative Feminism. Conservatism is thought highly in Patriarchal
societies due to either religious and/or political standards. Women such as Katherine
Kersten, writer of the Policy Review "What do Women Want?" has trouble identifying
herself as a Feminist due to the popular misconception that Feminism is the idea that
women are better then men and because of this, it has continued to make it harder for
her to publicly identify herself as a Feminist when little does she understand that her
ideas of women and men being each other's equals are exactly what Feminism has
been for decades. Dillard explains that in the eyes of most conservatives, Feminism is
identified as "a excuse to blame others for personal failure; a misguided conviction that
rage is the proper response to a society (that all Feminists are radicals)" and that this is
called "enlightened feminism". (Dillard, Angela J. 3.) In this point of view of religious
conservatism, Feminism is looked as a threat to the moral fabric and social fabric of the
home, the economy and the country all together. Through this article, we can explore a
popular idea of feminism, feminists and the struggle it is to identify oneself as a feminist

because of their society's misconceptions and/or questioning the ideas that they were
raised on and have come to believe entirely throughout their lives.
While finding more information, I came across Social Research Consultant Susan
J. Snelling who decides to really look into depth at how women across America feel
about the feminist movement and what they felt was the definition of feminism. Despite
many women across America defining themselves as feminists, many women have their
own ideas as to what it truly means to be one and what the message across the
movement really means. (Snelling, Susan J. 6) Throughout the article, Snelling gives us
the many opinions women have on Feminism including the idea that women are better
then men in many forms, mainly because women can deliver a child and men cannot.
That women are more adequately built and that Feminism is only for women. While this
theory is widely thought, it completely goes against the true Feministic ideals that
women and men are equal. In this article Snelling continues to remind us the true main
idea of Feminism and that it cannot be achieved through radicals of either side of the
spectrum, that strongly believe in matriarchy and patriarchy. This article gave a fantastic
insight to how different women of different back grounds had similar ideas that all
branch off of the core idea that men and women are equal since our very beginning.
For some in America, Patriarchy is the natural backbone of America and cannot
change in order for our society to work. Sherry B. Ortner introduces us in her article Too

Soon for Post-Feminism: The Ongoing Life of Patriarchy in Neoliberal America that she
seeks to bring Patriarchy back into focus for 21st century American Audience due to
how Feminism has fallen and being pushed against the grain of America's agenda. She
describes how there are 2 forms of Feminists, Feminists and Post-Feminists, the
traditional feminist who strives just for equality while the Post-Feminist marches for the
idea that women are better then men and to bring down the patriarchal society that
America is. Ortner explains that patriarchy is the only way America can continue to
function as well as we have in the past as a form of power that organizes and shapes
major institutions of 21st century capitalism. According to Scholar Dr. M. Rosenfelt,
"post-feminism" originated in the late 1980's as a way to describe a new consciousness
among younger generations of women. Today, it is a way for younger women of this
century to incorporate the fruits of the traditional ideas of patriarchy and the ideals that
feminism brings of equality between all genders.( Rosenfelt 7). However Ortner
explains that this is theoretically impossible because patriarchy is stronger and that
equality between men and women cannot exist in a patriarchal society. Patriarchy in
general is a very old but not primitive formation and while it can lead to a violent and
problematic society such as Afghanistan or Nigeria, it is also a thorough and ideal
system to capitalistic, first world countries such as America and Canada because, as

Ortner explains, "it creates a more formidable way of organizing not only gender
relations, but also other major forms of power and domination."

Though Feminism is not a new theory, it is well misinterpreted and a popular

misconception of Feminism in America is the idea that women are better then men.
Many american's do believe women are better then men and then take that
misconception and teach other people it or use it in media to further enhance that idea.
Journalist Tecla Van Bussel helps us understand these ideas from a non-bias point of
view. She explains how it is theoretically impossible to understand all aspects of
Feminism because all women and men are raised to have different beliefs whether
because of cultural influence, political influence or just simply developing their own point
of view over time. It is also hard to not only understand, but to accept all beliefs towards
feminism without having a personal bias interfere with your understanding. Bussel goes
into depth about the troubling belief that while America becomes stronger in political
freedom and equality between all men and women, 3rd world countries and noncapitalistic countries are having tighter holds on the separation of men and women.(Van
Bussel,Tecla. 6) Countries such as Afghanistan and Nigeria have the same opinions
towards women as they did 500 years ago, showing not a lot of hope for women's
futures. But while this is looked at as a injustice towards women, millions of people

throughout the world, including women, think that this is appropriate and truly believe
that women are and always will be inferior to men. So how is it possible to have the right
viewpoint when both sides of the spectrum are extremely prominent? Is Feminism truly
the right cause or is it only going to inflate the ego of women throughout the world?
Bussel concludes her report by reinstating that in order for society to fully function and
to be completely equal to all people, it is important that we teach at a early age what
Feminism really means and at least the definition. Even if the student or parent of the
child does not agree with Feminism, it is important to at least teach what it is, similar to
how we teach the distinction between a apple and a orange.
Knowing what Feminism truly stands for is important in a modern society where
the ideas are apparent and recognized. In order for us as American citizens to
thoroughly understand an idea and all of its aspects before we enforce it or enforce the
movement. Despite personal opinions one may have of the topic, knowing the actual
definition is very important and can perhaps change the person's point of view. In this
project not only did I intend to show different perspectives of different Americans, but I
also wanted to show how these various opinions can affect people's way of looking at
women in politics, the economy and society. Through media, history and cultural
upbringing, it is hard to try to understand all forms without being biased because of our
own beliefs which can prevent us from accepting all forms of thought. But after reading

all of these different opinions and ways of thinking, the question still remains; What
comes to your mind when you think of Feminism?

Works Cited
Adu-Poku, Samuel. "Envisioning (Black) Male Feminism: A Cross-Cultural Perspective." Journal Of
Gender Studies10.2 (2001): 157-167. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.
Howell, Susan H, and Cameron D. Schatt. "Will Gender Equality Be Achieved? A Survey Of Young
Adult Perspectives." Priscilla Papers 29.3 (2015): 7-10. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24
Mar. 2016.
Dillard, Angela D. "Adventures In Conservative Feminism." Society 42.3 (2005): 25-27. Academic
Search Complete. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.
Snelling, Susan J. "Women's Perspectives On Feminism." Psychology Of Women Quarterly 23.2 (1999):
247.Academic Search Complete. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.
Van Bussel, Tecla. "Feminism Is For Everybody, Except When It Isn't: Contemporary Gender Theory
And Oppression In Development." Undercurrent 10.2 (2014): 58-64. Academic Search Complete.
Web. 24 Mar. 2016.
Ortner, Sherry B. "Too Soon for Post-Feminism: The Ongoing Life of Patriarchy in Neoliberal America."
History and Anthropology (2014): 1-21. Print.
Webster. "Full Definition of Feminism." Webster. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate
Dictionary. Web. 26 Apr. 2016. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminism>.