How Has Feminism Changed Over Time

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be told what to wear, say, and do? For centuries, women have been treated differently from men and have been told to follow set rules and standards specifically for their gender. For a country founded on freedom, women have been anything but free. Feminism, although different, depending on the culture, time, and fight, has been an active role in societies all over the world. However, throughout the years, feminism has drastically changed and developed into something different than when it first began. More recently, feminism has sprouted into something many never thought it would be, causing many to think poorly about the fight for women’s rights. I understand why Feminism is often looked at negatively.

Some of these famous writers include women like, Mary Wollstonecraft who wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, Marie de Gournay who composed The Equality of Men and Women, Christine de Pizan and Simone de Beauvoir. These authors wrote to educate readers on the true meaning of feminism and how to look beyond the wretched myths that have been set upon feminism. A more modern author, Ariel Levy, wrote “It’s as if feminism were plagued by a kind of false-memory syndrome. Where we think we’ve been on our great womanly march forward often has less to do with the true coordinates thank with our fears and desires.” She then continues to explain how the true meaning of feminism is often overshadowed by common

Each day it can be found on the news another substantial story about sexual assault. As women begin to empower each other and encourage each other to stand up and speak out, some of the most famous women begin to tell their stories using the hashtag me too. Olympic gymnasts tell their stories of being sexually assaulted by coaches and doctors. Famous musicians and actresses like Jennifer Lopez (J-Lo), Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Reese Witherspoon, stand up and speak their stories on how at work they were subjected to being sexually harassed and assaulted. Long time television faces like Matt Lauer are being fired for multiple women coming out and courageously speaking their horrific stories on how they were worried they would be terminated from their employment if they informed anybody of what had happened to them. Congress women are speaking out about how there is a special elevator that they attempt to avoid because of it’s known history of sexual assault that happens while male and female congress workers are in it. Passed by word of mouth, a list of what was thought to be the “creepy men” that congress women want to stay away from has been passed through congress (Modern Feminism). Some of the most important and country changing women in the United States of America are afraid to be at work because they fear their safety and their