Essay Sample on Oppression and Feminism

Introduction

There have existed various approaches to feminist thoughts since the realization of the concept. Even though the concept was being neglected before, it is now being shared and rediscovered widely. For instance, it was rediscovered during the Vietnam War at the Northern parts of America and Europe. Most of the approaches, however, do not appreciate the struggles of women over the past decade. The concept of feminism is diverse to the extent that it cannot be characterized easily. The concept of oppression also revolves around with feminism, with it being described as the denial of equality of resources. Women have been subordinated to men in modern society, and the entire community perceives the act as just (Ramazanoglu, 2017). Subordinating one sex to the other is a wrong idea and is a hindrance to human development. Women, therefore, tend to submit freely to oppression. Focusing on the modern concept of feminism and oppression tries to bring into account the diversity and potentiality of feminism, as regarded as a global phenomenon.

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Research (South African)

Oppression exists worldwide and is rooted on a material base. Most of the explanations of gender oppression are socio-cultural based, and the attitudes caused by the phenomenon are enhanced by the ideology of the subordination of women (Ramazanoglu, C. (2017). It has always been the duty of women to bring life to work and make sure that society is preserved and protected. They have contributed to the homes and child-care regardless of their occupation. Even though the society always claims for equality, their roles in home-management and childcare cannot be assigned to men (Donald & Mahlatji, 2006). They should not be entrenched in any way or reinforced but provided with patriarchal rights, most importantly in the domains of family, land, and the economy (Buiten, 2016).

There exist peoples in the past where well-renowned forces including peasants, workers, and feminist movements find a niche in the country, which their position in the nation leads to them controlling and having authority within the political domain of the nation. Most of these acts are enforced through the recognition of struggle against them. It is from such a situation that the oppressed can source advantages whereas their interests and those of the country can relate to each other through various openings that encourage equality.

With the non-racial democracy of South Africa and the movements of some liberation movements to political parties, oppression in feminism will always take charge of the society as they would still lack direct access to some rights including participation in debates (Donald & Mahlatji, 2006). Again, if these transitions are short-lived oppression of women again reemerges. Various contracts are visible between women and the national liberation movement, where women support various movements in their favor for them to successfully win emancipation. Patriarchy has been liked to apartheid in neglecting of any system would influence the other hence, a definite influence on women and oppression. Women of South Africa have been oppressed as they experience three-fold oppression, considered as workers, and women (Hay, 2013). It is through this concept that liberation can be perceived.

There has been limited space for any women feminist movements as a result of the subordination of women. Most of the black race in South Africa has participated in wider campaigns meant to counter the apartheid system as well as phase it out completely. Additionally, some oppositional movements have been given priority over marginalized issues, most of them which are centered to the concept of feminism such as the participation of women in politics as well as family relations. Many emerging organizations have also been refusing to engage themselves with feminism. As led by men, these organizations cannot discuss the emancipation of women. However, women still hold to oppression where they care so much for other people who hold on to the commitments that oppress them and also marginalize them in the society (De la Rey & Kottler, 1999). Most of them still supper and fight with both the society and themselves and many at times of fight leave indelible marks on them hence, their inferiority complex to the society (De la Rey & Kottler, 1999).

The women of South Africa are also tied to national politics as well as union groups, which have been pre-determined by national priorities instead of those of smaller constituents with women leaders (Pandit, 2002). Therefore, women cannot still dominate or even lead in campaigns. As a result, women struggle against the oppressive system but are still left with nothing to work about the case. It is of little wonder, therefore, that women are not players of the political dimension of the country. Most of them are alienated from political processes, and some of the issues presented by them or their movements have been disregarded by men and termed as soft political issues since they are believed to be responsible for children and childcare (Pandit, 2002). Therefore, women have been challenged as having moral issues as their key concerns instead of political issues. Additionally, those at various unique groups tend to be excluded from political domains since their issues are 'reactionary' and at the same time 'divisive' hence, not priorities for any political movement. It is for this reason that solving the challenge of oppression in feminism becomes a challenge to the country.

Personal Reflection

In South Africa, there have been oppositions in politics since the 1980s. Most of the leading organizers of the objective were tasked with mobilizing women for national liberation even though expected to enhance their liberation. In my opinion, it is mobilization that has affected the reinforcement instead of challenging patriarchal relationships related to domination. During such events, there have been spaces for feminist movements, which challenge such forms of oppression against women.

Additionally, there have been new talks regarding women and politics since the unbanning of the ANC movement in the early 1990s. It is even more possible to have the debate regarding women and oppression extended with talks nationally regarding the relevance of feminism to the struggles by women. Having read of the conference by the ANC before its unbanning, various activists combined their experiences with the women of South Africa. Since the conference, there were issues regarding criticizing women oppression as well as the domination of men in decision-making processes. Additionally, there was a 'Statement on the Emancipation of Women in South Africa' by some of the activists of ANC. The statement noted that it is women who should take the lead if the country needed to have a non-sexist phenomenon. Movements such as the ANC should be moved to make sure that some policies and organizations are adopted for the facilitation of participation of women in acts such as decision-making. Various feminist ideas, as well as issues, have been created with recognizant participation in the mainstream political struggles of South Africa (Pandit, 2002). Therefore, more political discourse is being realized with the criticizing of feminism and oppression. Nationalism in South Africa has phased out the concept of oppression in feminism in the country.

Specific Reflection

The concept of triple oppression has led to the problematizing of the interaction between class, gender, and race. The three metrics can be seen as components of a single idea that revolves around the concept of oppression and feminism. I find a challenge of African women's racial oppression in particular. It is through the concept of triple oppression that one can identify political constituency, instead of having an understanding of the oppression of women, particularly in South Africa.

I also find gender and inequality as difficult concepts to link to feminism as the two cannot be accepted by liberation movements, especially which are committed to the liberation of South Africa (Kernohan, 1998). However, oppression in feminism can be delinked into the concept of gender as it is considered a reformist ideology. For instance, at the homes, women have been isolated either at their own or as a result of the ideas proposed by their employers. This has led to negative political implications to the nation as opposed to men, who contribute positively to the political dimension. There are profound limitations with oppression on women as caused by notions of isolation. The idea that women should discover the reality between social ideas and political identities remain a challenge to solving the issue of women and oppression.

Impacts of Oppression in Feminism

Most of the effects of oppression in feminism revolve around the concept of politics. Women are not considered into positions at the political domain of a country. This could cause the lack of recognition of women by the society. One of the limitations of women participating in politics is the nation's view of the challenge to feminism as being a confrontation of various women organizations against feminism. Additionally, socialist and radical feminists tend to take advantage of conceptions of the natire of politics, which are astrauy of their traditions and societal norms. However, there is an appeal of conservative values when women are involved in politics.

References

Buiten, D. (2016). Feminism in South Africa. The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Gender and Sexuality Studies, 1-6. doi:10.1002/9781118663219.wbegss428

De la Rey, C., & Kottler, A. (1999). Societal Transformation: Gender, Feminism and Psychology in South Africa. Feminism & Psychology, 9(2), 119-126. doi:10.1177/0959353599009002002

Donald, F. M., & Mahlatji, L. (2006). Domestic Workers' Experiences of Power and Oppression in South Africa. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 16(2), 205-213. doi:10.1080/14330237.2006.10820124

Hay, C. (2013). Kantianism, liberalism, and feminism: Resisting oppression. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Kernohan, A. W. (1998). Liberalism, equality, and cultural oppression. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press.

Pandit, S. (2002). Women and Oppression in South Africa. Journal of Gender Studies, 11(1), 67-78. doi:10.1080/09589230120115176

Ramazanoglu, C. (2017). Feminism and the contradictions of oppression. London: Routledge.