In this era of equality in the workplace and on the homefront, many ask if feminism is irrelevant, if the women’s movement is a thing of the past, and as such, should be laid at the wayside.
It’s a valid argument, and one that needs to be taken seriously. But feminism should not be allowed to just fade into the darkness, because it needs to provide structure, encouragement, and support for up and coming young women, and to encourage young men to continue with equality.
Young women need to be shown that it is OK to be a strong, powerful, brilliant woman, and that there is satisfaction in being all of those things and yet being feminine as well. Feminism in the 21st century needs to provide support for girls, role models for both genders, and open itself up to the support and encouragement to youth no matter their gender. They need to know that they can achieve anything they put their minds to, irrespective of gender, because they are smart, capable people. They need to be shown that nothing is off limits, that nothing is impossible.
Perhaps feminism need not be gender-defined any longer. Perhaps it should move into a wave of gender non-specific unity and encouragement, particularly in light of recent political machinations toward same-sex equality. The force of the feminist movement, should it collectively stand up for the rights of all people, gender and sexual orientation irrelevant, would continue to bring about changes in society as it has in the past.
Feminism, as a whole, is a movement that needs to be continued, strengthened, and fortified. It needs to be expanded into new fronts, but maintain it’s devotion to equal rights for ALL, not just women. Feminism needs to remain in the forefront of the political scene, to continue to encourage the discussion of womens rights.
