Feminism In Modern Feminism In Modern SocietySociety

What is FeminismWhat is Feminism

“Feminism – the belief in the full economic, political, and social equality of males and

females – is usually seen as a modern movement to transform the male-dominant

past and create an egalitarian future.”-Mankiller 1-

Female SteriotypesFemale SteriotypesIn today’s male dominated workforce, the stereotypes of the past still hold women back and present them as inferior to men. Although many women do the same jobs as men,

they are often paid less and treated worse “the average working woman in the U. S. earns only about 81% as much as the average man, according to a recent estimate by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women still shoulder most of the burden for performing

domestic tasks such as cleaning, cooking and child-rearing, and many women continue to endure physical and psychological abuse from men.”

Despite the way women are portrayed, they now account for “57% of the bachelors’ degrees and 59% of masters degrees. According to the Survey of Earned Doctorates,

2006 was the fifth year in a row in which the majority of research Ph.D.s awarded to U.S. citizens went to women, who earn more Ph.D.s than men in the humanities, social

sciences, education, and life sciences.”

Why are women stereotypedWhy are women stereotypedWomen are stereotyped by the jobs they select and the education they choose to

receive. Since women are often seen as being more compassionate than men they are often displayed as the weaker sex. “Women still predominate—sometimes

overwhelmingly—in empathy-centered fields such as early-childhood education, social work, veterinary medicine, and psychology, while men are overrepresented in the

“systematizing” vocations such as car repair, oil drilling, and electrical engineering.”

Women Are Underrepresented Women Are Underrepresented in Politics in Politics

Women who make up 51% of the U.S. population only hold 93/538 seats in congressWomen who make up 51% of the U.S. population only hold 93/538 seats in congress

Some people blame the social media saying the “the media ignores the accomplishments of female politicians and covers them superficially, and because politicians are held to stricter standards of behavior than their male counterparts.” (Women in Politics 1).

Women are seen as inferior leaders because throughout history men have always taken on the role of leadership and it is ingrained in society that men make stronger, better leaders.

Stereotypes in One Flew Over Stereotypes in One Flew Over The Cuckoos NestThe Cuckoos Nest

In One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Nurse Ratched endures abuse from the men on the ward who abuse her due to the fact that she is a woman that is trying to control them. Ken Kesey also describes Nurse Ratched as a nice looking older lady that is trying to hide her femininity in order to look and feel more intimidating and powerful to the men on the ward. In the novel, she is described by McMurphy as being a “Ball Cutter” who will stop at nothing to take away their freedoms.

A power struggle is displayed in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, when Nurse Ratched is struggling to gain her power back from McMurphy and turn the hospital back into a matriarchy where everything is under her control. McMurphy the strong male figure, is fighting against her in what is portrayed as a male versus female battle.