Recently my thoughts turned to the upcoming International Women’s Day on Wednesday, March 8, sparked by something my friend reposted, which made me think about the long history of feminism.
Her e-mail contained a few suggestions about being a good wife "from a 1955 magazine article."
It apparently upset many women, but according to Snopes (a very reliable fact checking source) it is a hoax and never appeared as stated.
However, during the fifties and sixties, culturally we were trained to believe that keeping a happy home was a wife's job.
It was the prevailing attitude that a wife belonged to her husband; that for his return from work he should come home to a clean comfortable house with a meal ready on the table.
So, if you should read this article know it is a hoax but although exaggerated contains more than a grain of the truth about how things used to be; that a wife should learn to get ready for her husband’s return home from work, and a good wife should know her place which is to keep her husband happy.
Is it any wonder then that feminism went into overdrive? It is now laughable to think years ago this was the expected role for wives!
For decades we have been dealing with inequality, it is slow progress, but compared with the 1950s we have moved toward equality. Some men now have become house husbands, child carers, while their partner brings in the income. It is not unusual but has become expected and accepted for men to help on the domestic front with chores and child rearing.
In late 14th- and early 15th-century France, the first feminist philosopher, Christine de Pisan, challenged prevailing attitudes toward women with a bold call for female education. Since then, it has been separated into three waves: first wave feminism, dealing with property rights and the right to vote; second wave feminism, focusing on equality and anti-discrimination, and third wave feminism, which started in the 1990s as a backlash to the second wave's perceived privileging of white, straight women.
During the 1990s feminism rage many of us were so outspoken, so enthusiastic about raising equality that we offended rather than included men. This backfired and feminism subsided as we realized we had put people “off” by complaining about men and macho behaviour, we were turning the tables and acting the same way the men were when they put down women.
It became competitive and men were defensive. This resulted in weakening the feminist position as they stopped listening to us.
It took time for us all to realize that it’s about acceptance of the differences, about equality, not who is in charge. It is not a competition and although progress is slow, it continues to move forward.
In 2023 there are many events planned to mark International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
The Cambridge YWCA has focused on furthering opportunities for women. Each year they have held awards for Women of Distinction in a various category, this year on June 11.
As we continue to work toward the goal of a gender equality we wish for; a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination; a world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive, where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality, to collectively celebrate women's achievement and focus on awareness about discrimination. International Women’s Day is for us all, men, women and children, everyone, everywhere, globally.
There are only a few Matriarchal societies left in the world where women and mothers are revered and listened to rather than white middle class businessmen. Matriarchy is a social system in which women hold the primary power positions in roles of authority. In a broader sense it can also extend to moral authority, social privilege, and control of property. But globally we also have countries where women are denied education, they are not allowed to work or even drive.
Thankfully in North America most of us have moved past these archaic practices and into an era where women are appreciated for much more than the home comforts they bring. If we all follow the rule (where appropriate) “do unto him/her as you would have him/ her do unto you.”
That would be a good start. Equality begins at home, not just in public or the community.
On International Women’s Day give equality more than a thought, make changes and actions to promote equality. It will benefit us all. Happy International Women’s Day.
