Feminism, a concept in terms of Sex and Gender

Feminism

Sex and Gender

Feminism, a concept in terms of Sex and Gender

Answer: Feminism is called the movement to end violence against women’s repression. One possible way to understand ‘woman’ in this claim is to take it as a sexual term: ‘woman’ finds the human females and being a human female depends on various biological and physiological features (such as genitals). Historically, many feminists have interpreted ‘woman’ differently: not as a sexual term, but as a gender term that depends on social and cultural factors (such as social status). In doing so, they distinguish between sex (being female or male) and gender (being a woman or a male), although most common language users seem to behave in an unforgettable way. In recent times this difference has come under permanent attack and many nowadays view it (at least some) with suspicion. This entry outlines and discusses individual feminist debates about sex and gender. However, the distinction between sex and gender is a highly relevant one when it comes to understanding feminist ideology.

On the one hand, “Sex” reflects the biological differences between men and women whereas “Gender” refers to cultural and social differences. Consideration of the biological and cultural aspects sheds light on a major point of departure from feminist ideology. Where all feminists seek to liberate women from the shackles of patriarchal society, there is considerable disagreement about the appropriate way to secure that change.

Some feminists emphasize the cultural dimension because they see it as the most appropriate way through which women can benefit from empowerment. For them, the main source of violence against women is through the social structure of femininity because “women are not born, they are made” (Simone de Beauvoir). A fundamental change in our perceptions of gender is necessary to escape the limitations of our masculinity and move on to a more fulfilling life.

Necessarily few feminists, however, emphasize biological differences because they perceive it as more appropriate to the goals of the women's movement. They believe that women should enjoy something that makes them biologically different from men (such as the ability to give birth and breastfeed). These biological abilities are the best they can be. Either way, there is an underlying notion that women are biologically superior. On this basis, psychologist Carol Gilligan claims that women adopt fundamentally different and higher moral psychology from their male counterparts. Under patriarchy, women are under pressure to achieve an unrealistic goal which means suppressing the true spirit.

Another forerunner of the essential argument is Mary Daly. She claims that women should be proud of the biological differences between women and men (such as motherhood). Instead of adopting an indomitable ideology supported by socialist and communist feminists, women should explore a ‘woman-only’ culture that is controlled by feminine harbingers only. Modern feminists also seek to simplify women's journey of self-discovery, allowing them to be separated from male-dominated identities (e.g., how a woman's marital status is always a part of their formal identification). Instead of pursuing gender equality, women must embrace some isolation in order to truly liberate themselves from the oppression of men.

Finally, this argument first claims that feminist influence and gender are socially constructed against biological determinism. Next, it examines the feminist critique of conventional understanding of sex and gender and the differences in itself. In response to this concern, the final section looked at how an integrated women’s section could be described for feminist political purposes and (at least) two things could be illustrated. First, that gender - or what it means to be a woman or a man - is still a living issue. Second, that feminists have not completely abandoned the view that gender is about social issues and that it is somewhat different (in any way) from biological sex. The jury is still out on what is the best, most effective or (even) correct definition of gender. And some contemporary feminists still value the 1960s sex or gender dissimilarities.

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