Lauren D. Visual Culture

Lauren Doyle

Independent Studio

Spring 2009

Professor Bruce Wall        

                                                “The Domestic Woman’s Struggle”

            In 2009, many women believe feminism has disappeared; and thus, is forgotten from the daily conversation. Billboards, magazines, and television ads line the media with 5 foot ten models wearing nothing but skin. Eight year old girls dash onto school buses with mini skits and text written across their extra small t-shirts. Sex exploitation was fought against as early as 1848 and still the struggle persists (Freeman). The United States has come along way from segregated, racist, and patriarchal ways of thinking, but many aspects of a woman rights’ are still not equal to a man. Why has the Unites States traveled backwards in time seemingly to losing track of women’s importance? For over 160 years, women have pushed political equality, economic equality, and social equality of the sexes; Roe VS. Wade, voting rights, legalized birth control, to name a few, have all risen from empowered women and even some men. 

            Feministic views are not only geared towards woman but men as well. Appreciation of empowered women forces a mindset of equality and respect. Feministic views are often seen to resemble “macho, strong, man-hating” women and in several cases, most men and women associate feminism with lesbianism. Everyone knows that an individualistic, self righteous woman must hate every man who walks by her, right? In actuality, men and women who decide to judge feminist as lesbians clearly show their inner insecurities and ignorance rather than intelligence; plain and simple, the general population of the United States is afraid of a powerful woman.  As a matter of fact, the definition of feminism resembles a broader idea known as equality. Ever since man has asserted ownership over woman in a father-like society, there has been a strong numbers of women who have battled for dignity and equal rights. Formations of feminist and women’s rights groups during the middle eighteenth and early nineteenth century, broke the barrier once created by men of power. Case in point: The first Women’s Suffrage Act is passed Wyoming, only 16 states within The United States allow women to vote in 1918, and finally in 1964 the Civil Rights Act is passed (Freeman). Other accomplishments were documented between the fifty year gap, although greater outcomes flourish years to come.

            Past years of subordinate women still lingered during the 1940s and 50s. The pressures of war, economic strife, and men at war, allowed women to replace thousands of “masculine” duties, changing the common conceptions of women in the work field (at least temporarily). Employment was needed within: Gas stations, factories, post offices, and laborers. Never before could a woman serve a male dominated position (Gardiner). As World War II ended, the newly empowered and homemaker-free women were forced back into the cave by the returning men of war. 

After the war, women resigned or were forced to leave their wartime occupation. Groups of women decided to stay quiet, be thankful their mate returned, and resume the role as a “homemaker.” Others could not adjust so easily. Adjusting after living a man’s life in the workforce brought new ideas and motives into a women’s brain. During before the war, a man supported the family by supplying food, shelter, and status.  A better life was discovered alongside working during World War II and thousands of women wanted to taste the new life. Sharing a small fracture of a “man’s world” emotionally and physically changed the mentality of a domestic wife to rather an independent partner. 

After looking back at the traditional past of America’s pastime, a glance is given to today’s approach to feminism. Women have come to see dependence as being a form of female weakness or lack of personal respect. Once traditional and naive, women of today have become cautious within ideas of children and marriage, choosing instead to be stronger and entirely independent (Phillips). Marriage will continue to linger in the eye of women, but a partner’s role in the household or relationship can be adjusted.  

            Over all, men and women have chosen to agree or disagree with the idea of feminism. Past and present ideas and values have both increased and with drastic measures. Anti-feministic Americans visualize feminism as a non traditional, anti-American, and satanic mentality. Others believe feminism is only the most positive and only ideal way of thinking. History shows that America has come along way from the Victorian era, carrying such methods of minimal women’s rights and importance. Majority of thinkers do agree, repeating the past is not beneficial to the society as a whole and as a nation.