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Patriarchy: The Role Of Feminism In The United States

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The most recent women’s rights activists also celebrate what the feminists of the past have done by shunning the dreaded patriarchy and the societal norms it brought with it. The patriarchy is what is most notably credited with oppressing women “economically, politically, socially, and psychologically” (“Feminist Criticism (1960s-present)”). Before the twenty-first century, it was a common occurrence to see women portrayed as the homemaker taking care of the home and children while her husband was the family’s breadwinner. This stereotype changed in the twenties due to the feminist uprising that refused to continue to live in such an oppressive society. Women across the nation have taken charge within their personal households becoming leaders …show more content…
Despite the numerous amounts of monumental legislation that has supported the rights of women such as the legalization of abortion through the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade, the “[liberalization] of divorce laws”, and the addition of the Nineteenth Amendment, women still insist they are lacking rights that are bestowed upon men (Burkett). This position likely has its bases in the government itself. Although it is true that women are underrepresented in the United States government, there is nothing preventing women from campaigning for a government office. Some feminists may say that the society in which they live would not support them running for office; however, this is turning out not to be the case. Women have been claiming seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives for years, and a woman has even been selected as a presidential candidate. The true issue that is present is not that the government will not accept women in office, but the fact that a job as a politician is not something many women are interested in as few women are naturally inclined to become leaders or desire to cause conflict. If feminists truly want to balance out the ratio of men to women in politics they must first encourage women to take up those positions and not continue to place blame on the current political officials. affirmative-action by the government also proves to be another feminist supported policy that is ineffective in dealing with the present issues of America. In the past, affirmative-action was a government issued policy that assisted minorities who were discriminated against in the past helping them join the workforce and post-secondary education (Bautsch and Hulten). Now, however, affirmative-action is only making room for a reverse form of discrimination of those who were seen as oppressors in the past as universities and jobs favor these once oppressed

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