From the nidus of time, the struggle for equality has been an instrumental building block in the development of society. The civil rights movement, the labor movement, the feminist movement—all movements that have transformed American society in key ways and continue to do so as they change to reflect the needs of the day. In the year 2024, feminism has so many different meanings. So many, in fact, that the fundamental definition of the word has become hazy. Is it the belief that society should be reconstructed because the patriarchy is too deeply ingrained in it? Is it reproductive rights for women? The textbook definition of the word is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of equality between the sexes.” As history ran its course, this definition has changed. In the 1920s, it was about women’s suffrage—women’s right to vote. In the 1960s, it was about tackling notions of domesticity and women’s roles in the family. Now, it has become about reproductive rights as well as the other issues that women face in life, from unequal pay to violence on the basis of sex.

Feminism doesn’t necessarily mean changing legislation. In my opinion, changing laws will occur after we as a society start fighting stereotypes and how women are perceived. Just to be clear, fighting stereotypes of traditional gender roles does not mean that women shouldn’t ever be homemakers or that men should step back and allow women to work more. For me, “fighting traditional gender roles” is about allowing all genders to make their own choices and not being judged for their decisions, being treated with respect. In the context of marriage, there should not be defined familial roles; in fact, every member should try to take responsibility to create a more efficient family life.
In the past, women were subservient to the male patriarch in the family and entrusted to care for children and other domestic acts. Now, it is a common misconception that in order to be a “true feminist,” women need to have a full-time job yet still manage a home life. Both of these viewpoints are flawed. If women choose to stay at home and care for children, it does not make them any less of a feminist. To me, the concept of feminism being “all or nothing” is inherently wrong. Feminism is about equality between people regardless of gender; one does not need to define themselves as something or the other in order to be a feminist. In fact, some of the most strong, powerful women I know chose to put their family over their career—a decision that takes courage and commands respect, the character traits of a true feminist.

Furthermore, another big obstacle facing the feminist movement today is the misogynistic sentiment that people carry both consciously and unconsciously, including both men and women. As mothers, women have a responsibility to teach their sons how to respect women and view them as equals. In traditional Asian families, this aspect is often lost in the upbringing of children as Asian families tend to undervalue daughters. This is only one aspect of the issue. If men aren’t being taught how to treat women correctly, women internalize this misogyny that ultimately pits them against each other in the real world. An example of this is how women in the workforce are oftentimes labeled as “overly ambitious” or “bossy” sometimes by other women, and how women are often overly critical of others’ appearances. Instead of uplifting each other, women who have internalized misogyny tend to bring other women down for the male gaze. I am not blaming any one person or one gender for misogyny; I am simply bringing light to the fact that society as a whole has deeply ingrained prejudice, and in order to effect real progress, society as a whole needs to change.
Feminism, at its core, is about equality and respect for all genders. It is not confined to specific roles or actions but rather supports the freedom for individuals to make their own choices. Misogynistic attitudes, whether overt or internalized, need to be addressed through education and cultural change. By focusing on these broader societal shifts, true equality can be achieved, paving the way for both legal reforms and greater personal freedoms.
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