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The Necessity of Feminism in a Predominantly Patriarchal Society

We now live in a world increasingly marked by globalization, technological development, and cultural exchanges. It is against this background that feminism has remained one of the most critical issues facing men and women to this day. So often associated with the fight for the rights of women alone, it is essentially about inequality, justice, and the dismantling of patriarchal structures distinguishing between and discriminating against women and marginal genders. This essay will investigate the multi-layered needs of feminism within a greater structural patriarchal society by drawing on historical contexts, current issues, and intersections with other social justice movements, underlining the core of collective action in creating an equal future.

It is a social system in which men are in control of the majority of the decisions concerning social, political, and economic entities. This situation has been well codified historically, showing its face in different ways within different cultures and at different times in history. In order to understand the dynamics of gender inequality today, it is very important to trace the historical context of patriarchy.

Within that historical context, this institution existed primarily due to a patriarchal legal system and cultural norms that favor male interests. For instance, female persons were denied the right of legal franchise and right to property ownership and education. However, with the rise of the early 20th century suffrage movement, women demanded the right of franchise and other rights to participate in government systems. This was the start of that initial wave, which spearheaded and gave grounds for further waves that focused more on gender injustices.

Despite the gains that came out from the first wave of feminism, much of the contemporary society still carries the imprint of patriarchal legacies. Although laws and norms overtly discriminating against women may no longer exist, prevailing attitudes and beliefs about the role of each sex in society perpetuate unequal treatment and opportunities between sexes. Women still do not have fully equal work opportunities with men, nor can they get paid just as much as men do.

The Economic Dimensions of Gender Inequality

Perhaps one of the most resounding issues mirroring a need for feminism is the gender pay gap. On average, women are paid much less than men for the same work, and these disparities persist across many sectors and professions. Indeed, according to the calculations conducted by the World Economic Forum, at this rate, it will take over 130 years to eradicate the global pay gap between the sexes.

Occupational segregation, discrimination, and the devaluation of work that women have always performed are relevant factors for this gap in pay. Indeed, the two cited female-dominated sectors, education and healthcare, and also service industries, tend to be among the worst paid. Conversely, other sectors that are generally better paid, such as finance and business studies, have relatively low levels of female participation. Women are also often discriminated against in their hiring and promotion processes, which acts to further entrench economic inequality.

Economic Consequences of Gender Inequality

Economic consequences of gender inequalities go beyond individual paychecks. The impact of gender inequalities within the workforce holds back economic growth and productivity generally. There are lost opportunities for innovation and advancement in societies where full potential is not unlocked for women to meaningfully contribute to the economy. The call for equitable remuneration and equal treatment at the workplace from feminism has more to do with an economic imperative than social justice.

The psychological effects of patriarchal norms go beyond the levels of economic disparities. Generally, societal expectations about correct behaviors or actions for a man or woman develop internalized pressures and mental health challenges. Most often, women feel compelled to fit into these roles and squash ambition and desires in an attempt to seek acceptance from society.

This may manifest in various ways: women may be punished for pursuing a career, while men will be shamed should they show any sign of weakness or put on a caretaking role. These very rigid expectations can breed anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem that can affect quality of life.

Multiple marginalized identities compound the effects of psychological oppression. Intersectionality of identity is a term coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw; it explains how the intersection of different identities-race, sex, socioeconomic status-intersects in the multidimensional experiences of oppression. For example, women of color may endure the psychological consequences of doubled oppression emanating from racial and gendered discrimination. A way to understand and meet such diverse needs is an intersectional feminist approach.

Feminism is not a unified movement but dynamic and shifting, changed by the social context. The history of feminism in very simplified form is often described in terms of distinct "waves," each having specific causes and solutions.

The first wave of feminism emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, focusing more on issues of law and justice, as well as right-to-vote issues. Women were struggling to own property and receive education. The achievement with this wave was cementing the path for the rest of the feminist movements that were going to come forth showing that there was a need to be included in political functions for equality to prevail.

The second wave, which started to crest in the 1960s and 1970s, broadened its scope into issues of reproductive rights, workplace equality, and sexual liberation. In this wave, the notion that women's place was in the home as caregivers was disrupted, and there was a push for women's career and educational pursuits.

The third wave began in the 1990s and emerged with the concepts of intersectionality. This looked at diversity among women's experiences. It was during this wave that it was realized that issues on race, class, and sexuality are further complicated by gender and should, therefore, be approached inclusively. The third wave protested against the media presentation of women and called for variety in representation.

Currently, it is widely supported among scholars and activists that a "fourth wave" of feminism is at work, using digital activism and social media to mobilize. The worldwide spread of movements, such as #MeToo and #TimesUp, in speaking out against sexual harassment and assault are part of the importance of collective action in this digital world.

This is a global phenomenon, one that crosses borders, and whose validity varies according to the cultural and geopolitical contexts in which one finds themselves. One really needs to understand the diverse experiences of women around the world for a proper view of feminism.

The struggles and lives of women in many contexts are being contextualized, within their areas specifically, through cultural, political, and economic frameworks. Issues regarding education, access to reproductive rights, and violence against women are treated differently. Grassroots movements in the Global South have shown that the power of localized activism must be voiced first by listening to the support for women who live in such contexts.

Feminism should foster international solidarity and realize that struggles for gender equality are related to and often overlap with one another. Working across borders can also amplify voices and create a united front in the face of oppression. It is only international movements, such as the Women's March, that really fulfill the potential of collective action against patriarchal systems around the world.

Intersectionality and Inclusivity within Feminism

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