Feminism

What comes to mind when the term ‘feminism’ is mentioned, even among the female folk is a picture of a strong-willed, independent, self-reliant, no-nonsense, maybe female executive…
The word was actually coined by Charles Fourier in 1837, and can be defined to as ‘the belief that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men’ (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English).
It has also been referred to as, ‘ the collection of movements and ideologies aimed at defining, establishing and defending a state of equal political, economic, cultural and social rights for women. This includes seeking to establish equal opportunity for women in education and employment’ (Wikipedia)
The period preceding the 19th century was characterized by a male-dominated system. Women were best relegated to the kitchen, house-keeping and bedmates. They did not have a say in home affairs outside these, talk-less of matters outside the home.
The feminist movement has effected change in Western societies, including women\’s suffrage; greater access to education; more nearly equitable pay with men; the right to initiate divorce proceedings; the right of women to make individual decisions regarding pregnancy (including access to contraceptives and abortion); and the right to own property. And this is far becoming a norm in the developing world, as other things have been.
From the afore-mentioned, therefore, feminism in and of itself seeks a ‘good’ thing for women. However, a number of the female folk has capitalized on this and taken the concept to the extreme. One hears of women who, by virtue of luck and/or privilege, and therefore earn more than their husbands, easily threatening to leave their homes at the slightest provocation. They do this on the premise that they can survive on their own and still have it all; after all, technology has made it easy to have a child without necessarily meeting (physically) with a man- see IVF. There are a lot more examples.
My views, however, are based on God’s words- I am a Christian. In the beginning, ‘He created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them’, Gen 1:27. There is no discrimination between male and female as we are all equal before God. If it were only females who occupied the earth, Jesus Christ would have still died for us. Examining all of scripture, we see how women honoured God. Even Jesus never disrespected any.
I conclude with the following expression by the great king David: ‘I am fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Psalm 139:14). This includes you and I!!!
GLORIA ALLI