The Fear of Feminism

        As mentioned in my previous blog “Women in Film”, women’s rights have come a long way in the past century. Indeed, there is still room for major improvement, however, I appreciate the social advancements that women have fought for and gained. Although I consider myself to be a “glass-half-full” person, it is extremely challenging to not get fired up, and to be honest, a little “pissed off” regarding the social stigma that surrounds feminism in our society.  This blog will take a look at second wave feminism, Hollywood’s response, and the status of feminism today.

1970's Women's Rights Movements

            As we have learned after reading Chapter 13 in America on Film, there was a new wave of feminism, called Second Wave Feminism that sparked in the 1960s. When men returned home after their duties in World War II, they did not all return to the husband-serving housewives they had left. While men headed overseas to serve their country, the role of women was altered as many women entered the workplace and took on jobs of their own. The pressure to return home to their prior role as housewife and mother triggered major civil rights movements for women’s equality.

Scene from A Clockwork Orange

            Feminist groups and organizations formed, and women began to speak out and demand equality. However, women ran into one teeny, tiny problem… patriarchal capitalism. As also mentioned in my previous blog, it is a “man’s world”, and men were not happy with this fight for independence. Men were supposed to be the decision-maker, bread-winner, and head of the household, so this new fight for independence threatened masculinity as they new it. Since the film industry was (and still is) dominated by males, Hollywood retaliated to this threat to masculinity. This backlash against the feminist movement was evident in the rise of the male violence and aggression against women in films. With the new rating system in place, many films, such as A Clockwork Orange demonstrated extremely violent acts, including graphic rape scenes, against women. These films gave the sense that women were “being punished for asserting their independence,” (AOF, p. 282).

            What is it about giving women equal right to men that is so scary? Is it because male dominance is what we have always known? Even today, there seems to be fear around the word “feminism”, and it is often interpreted as an extremist movement. With the constant attacks on the feminist movement over the past few decades, it’s almost as if it’s become a taboo topic. I believe in equality across the board, whether in regards to gender, race, class, etc. Yet, I’ll admit, for some reason I don’t announce myself as a “feminist”- as if it’s a thing of shame to be proud female who demands equality! Once again, however, I am a glass-half-full person, and believe that female equality will become more and more excepted. As AOF points out, “as media consumers and media producers become more educated and aware of these issues, things will continue to change,” (AOF, p. 301). I can only hope this change comes sooner than later!