ENGL 111 Definition Essay
Andrea Barnes
ENGL 111: 8AM
Definition Essay
February 23, 2015
In recent events, the word feminism has come up and a new debate has begun to circle around what it means, and how it should be applied to our society today. From statements made by celebrities, as a theme in a popular Beyonce song, and exposed emails from within the film industry, feminism is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance in the form of exposure to a new generation. While most people would agree that any discussion about feminism is good, there is also a circulation of misguided or false ideas of what feminism actually is. Additionally, there have been very public instances that prove that we still have some progress to make in the form of equality feminism aims to bring to various groups of people. Feminist Magazine defines feminism as the movement that “strives to end the discrimination, exploitation, and oppression of people due to their gender, sexual orientation, race, class, and other differences and supports people in being free to determine their own lives for themselves.” In order to establish what feminism is, it may be most helpful to first describe what it is not. Part of the attention that feminism is getting lately is based around the pushback from some people who believe that to be a feminist means a person is anti-man, or believes women should be in a better position than men. Recent comments from actress Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting helped to further the misconception about what exactly feminism is. When asked by Redbook Magazine if she is a feminist, she answered, “Is it bad if I say no? I cook for Ryan five nights a week: It makes me feel like a housewife; I love that. I know it sounds old-fashioned, but I like the idea of women taking care of their men. I'm so in control of my work that I like coming home and serving him. My mom was like that, so I think it kind of rubbed off.” What Cuoco-Sweeting fails to realize is that the feminist movement does not care if she cooks for her
ENGL 111: 8AM
Definition Essay
February 23, 2015
In recent events, the word feminism has come up and a new debate has begun to circle around what it means, and how it should be applied to our society today. From statements made by celebrities, as a theme in a popular Beyonce song, and exposed emails from within the film industry, feminism is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance in the form of exposure to a new generation. While most people would agree that any discussion about feminism is good, there is also a circulation of misguided or false ideas of what feminism actually is. Additionally, there have been very public instances that prove that we still have some progress to make in the form of equality feminism aims to bring to various groups of people. Feminist Magazine defines feminism as the movement that “strives to end the discrimination, exploitation, and oppression of people due to their gender, sexual orientation, race, class, and other differences and supports people in being free to determine their own lives for themselves.” In order to establish what feminism is, it may be most helpful to first describe what it is not. Part of the attention that feminism is getting lately is based around the pushback from some people who believe that to be a feminist means a person is anti-man, or believes women should be in a better position than men. Recent comments from actress Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting helped to further the misconception about what exactly feminism is. When asked by Redbook Magazine if she is a feminist, she answered, “Is it bad if I say no? I cook for Ryan five nights a week: It makes me feel like a housewife; I love that. I know it sounds old-fashioned, but I like the idea of women taking care of their men. I'm so in control of my work that I like coming home and serving him. My mom was like that, so I think it kind of rubbed off.” What Cuoco-Sweeting fails to realize is that the feminist movement does not care if she cooks for her