Feminism- Blog #1- bell hooks

Within the bell hooks readings feminism is described as a movement towards equality of women. She describes this equality as something to be reached in order that women are able to be recognized as equal citizens with the ability to contribute to this world just as much as the male population. I think that she did a wonderful job of describing many of the misconceptions that the term ‘feminism’ has attached to it. The negative connotations that go along with this term are very much an ideology that feminism is associated with sexism, blindly assuming that all feminists are out to trample men and the rights that they have, to rise up and conquer and dominate.

The definition that bell hooks puts forth about what feminism is compared to the urban dictionary definition is actually quite similar. Looking at some of the first posts it is described how feminism is focused around equality and liberty between the two sexes. I was surprised by my findings on this website. My experience is normally that the definitions on urbandictionary are pretty skewed and irrational banter.

2)
I would consider myself to be a moderate feminist with the understanding that I believe that women are entitled to equality just as much as men are. I believe that as women we have a unique and different approach to the world as compared to men, but that does not make us any less competent than men. Through my upbringing I take a more traditional view on a women’s role in society. I do believe that women are more nurturing.


3)
One of the most prevalent types of patriarchy that I can think of is that of the normative family structure in much of Western Society. In an article by Deborah King the influence of Religion is addressed when understanding the effect of patriarchy on Western Culture.
She states, “The great majority of us in the West carry a shared lineage, since all three of the great Western monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - trace their roots back to the patriarch Abraham/Ibrahim. It doesn't matter if we had a totally secular upbringing and have never stepped foot inside a church, temple, or mosque: that heritage is alive and well in our cellular memory, and that heritage is, for the most part, one where men rule and women obey.”

I think that she makes a really important point in stating that it does not matter if you practice one of these prevalent religions or not, their influence still greatly impact and affect our culture and the way that we live every day. The influence of these religions structure the many different family types to center around a heavily patriarchal influence, often subordinating the women to the rule of men.






hooks, b. (2000). Feminism is for everybody: Passionate politics.

Urbandictionary.com (n.d.). Feminism. Retrieved on January 20, 2012 from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=feminism.

King, Deborah (2009). Patriarchy Is Alive and Well. Psychology Today. Retrieved on January 20, 2012 from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mining-theheadlines/200905/patriarchy-is-alive-and-well