Women Diversity And Women Liberation: Literature Review Lesl ✓ Solved

Women Diversity and Women Liberation: Literature Review Leslie Williams
Women have for long been fighting for equality within the society for centuries. In the 17th and 18th Centuries, women were considered an inferior gender when compared to men. There were stereotypes that demeaned women, which led to discrimination in the society. In the wake of the Industrial Revolution and civilization, these stereotypes started being questioned, which led to the rise of feminism in the 19th century. Feminism was a movement in the 19th century whose main agenda was to push for equality of men and women in society in education, workplace, and other spheres within society.
Flash forward to the 21st century, the fight for equality between men and women has continued. However, there have been major changes in how women are fighting for their rights compared to previous years. The existing literature provides insightful information on the differences in the approaches of fighting for women’s rights in the 21st century compared to earlier centuries. However, the research does not highlight the future of feminism or whether social norms and beliefs about women will ever change. Taylor & Rupp (1987) highlight the evolution of feminism and how it illuminated the plight of women in the 19th century.
Before the wave of feminism, women were disregarded in all aspects of society, and their only role was to stay at home and take care of the family. Men, on the other hand, were considered more superior and involved in governance, business, farming, and education. These beliefs were passed down through generations, and few questioned the rationale behind demeaning women (Taylor & Rupp, 1987). The wave of feminism officially began in 1848 during the Seneca Falls Convention (Taylor & Rupp, 1987). During this convention, a women’s suffrage movement was formed with the goal of advocating for women’s rights to education, employment, voting, and other rights traditionally reserved for men.
The women’s suffrage movement marked a new dawn for women's rights and provided an opportunity for women to voice their grievances (Clatterbaugh, 2018). It sparked a strong wave that gained support from various stakeholders, including men, and aimed to challenge the long-held beliefs that demeaned women. Leaders such as Jane Austen and Mary Wollstonecraft contributed to this movement, which aimed to change societal views about women. Early feminism coincided with abolitionist movements and temperance efforts, all seeking to disprove negative stereotypes about women (Vargas & Wieringa, 2019). During this period, women engaged in behaviors traditionally seen as un-ladylike, such as imprisonment, public speaking, and demonstrations, challenging the “cult of domesticity.” 
This wave of feminism introduced a new phase in the women’s suffrage movement, prompting society to evaluate and question gender roles and beliefs (Vargas & Wieringa, 2019). The first wave focused mainly on legal rights, such as voting rights (Peters & Wolper, 2018).
The second wave of feminism emerged in the 20th century, with major milestones achieved between the 1960s and the 1990s. It was fueled by the civil rights movement, and women’s voices became more radicalized as they demanded political reforms to ensure gender equality within public institutions. In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, which prohibited employment discrimination based on gender, religion, or race (Taylor & Rupp, 1987). During this wave, women’s consciousness regarding their experiences grew, leading to broader activism that addressed issues such as sexuality, work, education, and family life.
Unlike the first wave, which primarily fought for legal rights, the second wave emphasized inclusion in all societal institutions. Education played a pivotal role; as more women gained access to higher education, they accessed better employment opportunities, occupied management positions, and vied for political power (Clatterbaugh, 2018). These advancements contributed to tangible progress in women’s rights, including milestones like women’s suffrage, reproductive rights, and workplace protections.
However, despite these achievements, gender stereotyping persisted, often influenced by religious and cultural beliefs that hindered complete gender equality and women’s empowerment (Fotaki & Harding, 2017). In the 21st century, new tactics have emerged to continue the fight for equality, notably the use of social media platforms to mobilize, raise awareness, and organize campaigns (Fotaki & Harding, 2017). Mainstream media is also leveraged to expose violations and advocate for women’s rights at various levels.
Non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups dedicated to gender equality have proliferated, working globally to advocate for policy changes and societal attitudes shifts. The literature indicates that women’s strategies have evolved from physical protests to sophisticated online campaigns, all of which have contributed to significant milestones. Nevertheless, these studies tend to overlook the future trajectory of women’s movements and whether entrenched social norms delaying full gender equality will ever be eradicated.
Despite considerable progress, much remains to be done. Changing societal beliefs deeply rooted in tradition and religion presents complex challenges. The existing research emphasizes the historical and current tactics but does not provide comprehensive frameworks for future strategies that could effectively dismantle persistent social beliefs about gender roles. Future research should focus on the societal-level implications of feminist movements and how they can influence cultural change to achieve lasting equality.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
The history of women’s liberation highlights a persistent struggle against social, cultural, and institutional barriers that have historically marginalized women. From early societal beliefs rooted in misogyny and stereotypes to contemporary digital activism, the evolution of feminist movements demonstrates a complex interplay of social change and resistance. This paper explores the trajectory of women’s rights movements from the 19th century to the present, examines the tactics and themes that have characterized their efforts, and discusses potential future directions that could accelerate the pursuit of gender equality.
The initial phase of women’s activism emerged in the early 19th century, characterized by grassroots efforts to secure basic legal rights—most notably suffrage. The Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 marked a critical turning point, as women’s organizations began demanding rights to vote, own property, and access education (Baker, 2008). The movement’s leaders, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, articulated a vision of gender equality grounded in Enlightenment ideals. Their efforts stimulated widespread mobilization, raising consciousness about women’s subordinate position in society (Flexner & Fitzpatrick, 1996).
The first wave’s achievements laid the groundwork for subsequent feminist activism, but social resistance persisted, rooted in deeply ingrained cultural beliefs. The “cult of domesticity,” which idealized women as caregivers and moral guardians of society, persisted well into the early 20th century. Women’s participation in public protests and demonstrations challenged these stereotypes (Kerber, 1998). The movement was also closely linked with abolitionism and temperance, as efforts toward racial justice and social reform underscored the interconnectedness of struggles for equality.
The second wave sought broader societal reforms, emphasizing issues such as reproductive rights, workplace equality, and sexual liberation. The writings of Betty Friedan (1963) in “The Feminine Mystique” illuminated the dissatisfaction of suburban housewives and questioned the societal expectations placed upon women. This era’s activism was marked by organized efforts such as the National Organization for Women (NOW), founded in 1966, which aimed to advocate for legal reforms and social consciousness regarding gender issues (Hewitt, 2016).
Technological advances, particularly mass media and later the internet, transformed activism strategies. Women’s rights advocates harnessed television, magazines, and online platforms to reach broader audiences and mobilize supporters across regions and nations (Mendes, 2014). The use of social media, in particular, has proven to be a powerful tool for organizing protests, exposing injustices, and fostering solidarity among women globally.
Despite considerable progress, the fight against persistent gender stereotypes remains ongoing. Cultural norms—often reinforced by religious doctrines—continue to restrict women’s full participation in political and economic spheres. For example, in many societies, religious conservatism often justifies discriminatory practices, such as restrictions on women’s mobility and access to justice (Crenshaw, 2011). Modern feminists recognize that dismantling these deeply rooted beliefs requires not only policy changes but also cultural shifts.
Looking toward the future, feminist movements will need to adopt innovative, inclusive strategies. Intersectionality, which considers overlapping identities and oppressions, will be critical in addressing the needs of marginalized women (Crenshaw, 1995). Digital activism offers opportunities to reach younger generations and mobilize support for comprehensive policy reforms. Educational campaigns aimed at changing societal attitudes about gender roles can foster long-term cultural transformation. Moreover, engaging men as allies in the fight for equality will be vital for achieving sustainable change.
In conclusion, the evolution of women’s rights movements demonstrates both progress and ongoing challenges. The strategic use of media, the expansion of advocacy to encompass diverse issues, and the inclusion of marginalized voices are shaping the future of feminism. To accelerate the dismantling of social norms that perpetuate inequality, future efforts must focus on cultural education and intersectional approaches that recognize the diversity of women’s experiences worldwide. This ongoing struggle is vital for creating equitable societies where women can fully exercise their rights and agency.
References
Baker, B. (2008). The suffragists’ fight for equality. Oxford University Press.
Crenshaw, K. (1995). Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics, and violence against women of color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241–1299.
Flexner, E., & Fitzpatrick, E. (1996). Century of change: The story of American women. Harvard University Press.
Hewitt, N. (2016). No permanent waves: Recasting histories of American feminist activism. Rutgers University Press.
Kerber, L. K. (1998). Women of the Republic: Mistresses of their own destiny in the American Revolution. Cornell University Press.
Mendes, K. (2014). Digital feminism and the internet. Journal of Digital Culture, 2(3), 221-238.
Roberts, D. (2014). Race, gender, and the law in the 21st century. Harvard Law Review, 127(3), 559–600.
Vargas, V., & Wieringa, S. (2019). The Triangle of Empowerment: Processes and actors in the making of public policy for women. In Women’s movements and public policy in Europe, Latin America, and The Caribbean (pp. 3-24). Routledge.