Woman is Not Born but Made: View from Feminism

Introduction: : A Feminist Perspective

When a girl child is born it is as good as a boy. But when she grows up, the society places on her certain inhabitations and formulates her role. Despite of the old practices of matriarchies—social orders with women in charge, gradually patriarchal cultures that worshiped male gods and in which men were political, religious, and military leaders took the gun and women were kept in subordination. So it is now that the woman feels the gender difference. It is right to say that a woman is not born but made. The feminist movement has long challenged traditional notions of femininity, arguing that womanhood is not something inherent but rather constructed through social, cultural, and historical processes. This essay explores the view from feminism that women are not born but made, highlighting the ways in which societal influences shape and define the experiences of women. By examining the impact of socialization, gender norms, and patriarchal structures, we can gain a deeper understanding of how women's identities are shaped and the ongoing struggle for gender equality.

Socialization and Gender Roles

One of the key factors in the construction of womanhood is socialization. From a young age, girls are socialized into specific gender roles that dictate their behavior, interests, and expectations. They are taught to be nurturing, passive, and compliant, while boys are encouraged to be assertive, independent, and competitive. These gendered expectations shape the way women perceive themselves and are perceived by others, limiting their potential and reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

 The adjective “feminine” origins and supports the belief and theories that pay special attention to women’s rights and women’s position in culture and society. When applied to literature nowadays it broadens the view and customarily indicates the author’s preoccupation with intimate human relationships, concern with the emotional aspects of life and with the dynamics of the psychic realm of experience. “feminine” writing may, of course, be produced by men as well by women, is usually non-authoritarian in narrative point of view (the reader is allowed to draw his own conclusions about the characters), it often displays an unconventional literary structure or approach to language.

It is important to distinguish between “feminine” and “feminist”. The term “feminist” implies a political position the conviction that “traditional definitions of woman are inadequate” and that “woman suffer injustices because of their sex.” Feminists nurture the idea that women’s position in society is unequal to that of men. They also voices the inherent bias in society that it is structured in such a way as to benefit men to the political, social, and economic detriment of women. However, feminists have used different theories to explain these inequalities and have advocated different ways of redressing inequalities, and there are marked geographic and historical variations in the nature of feminism. Feminist literary criticism is prescriptive that is as free as possible from biased portraits of individuals because of their class, race or sex.

Feminist Movements

Historically, there are two halves in “feminist” argument. The first half, which began in about 1800 and lasted until the 1930s, was largely concerned with gaining equal rights between women and men. The second half, which began in the late 1960s, has continued to fight for equality but has also developed a range of theories and approaches that stress the difference between women and men and that draw attention to the specific needs of women. In the United States the woman’s movement of the 1960s and onward represents a renewed attempt to establish social and legal equality for woman. The present wave of feminist criticism be said to have been born with the appearance in 1970 of Kate Millett’s Powerful Polemic, Sexual Politics. In the same year the modern Language Association, a professional organization of more than 28000 professors of literature and modern languages held its first workshop on “Feminist literature and Feminine Consciousness”. The most basic purpose of feminist criticism is to eliminate what Mary Ellmann in her much-quoted book of 1968; Thinking About Women has phallic criticism”: the automatic assigning of inferior status to books because they have been written by women or because they display “feminine” characteristics of substance, structure or style.

Cultural Influence and Beauty Standards

Cultural influences play a significant role in constructing the image of an ideal woman. Media, advertising, and popular culture often promote narrow beauty standards that prioritize youth, thinness, and physical attractiveness. These unrealistic standards can lead to body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and harmful practices such as extreme dieting or cosmetic surgeries. Sheila Jeffreys's  "Beauty and misogyny - Harmful cultural practices in the West" states how this pressure to conform to these ideals affects women's sense of self-worth and perpetuates a culture of objectification.

 Intersectionality and Multiple Identities

Feminism recognizes the importance of intersectionality, acknowledging that women's experiences are shaped not only by gender but also by race, class, sexuality, and other intersecting identities. Intersectional feminism highlights the unique challenges faced by women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and women from marginalized communities. It emphasizes the need to address multiple forms of oppression and strives for inclusivity and equality for all women.

 Patriarchal Structures and Power Imbalances

Patriarchal structures, rooted in historical and systemic sexism, exert control over women's lives and perpetuate gender inequality. These structures reinforce male dominance and privilege, often limiting women's access to education, employment opportunities, and positions of power. The patriarchal system not only affects women's economic empowerment but also shapes societal norms that restrict their autonomy, agency, and decision-making capabilities.

Resistance and Feminist Activism

Feminism is not merely a theoretical concept but a vibrant movement of resistance and activism. Women have historically challenged the idea of being "made" and have fought for their rights and liberation. Feminist activists have worked tirelessly to dismantle oppressive systems, advocate for gender equality, and create spaces for women's voices to be heard. Through collective action, feminist movements have made significant strides in areas such as reproductive rights, workplace equality, and combating gender-based violence.

Conclusion

From the feminist perspective, it is clear that womanhood is not a fixed or predetermined identity but a complex interplay of social, cultural, and historical forces. By recognizing that women are not born but made, we can critically examine the societal structures that shape gender roles, beauty standards, and power dynamics. This understanding highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the importance of feminist activism in challenging and transforming these oppressive systems. By working together, we can create a world where women are not limited by societal expectations but can freely define and embrace their own unique identities.

Ardhendu De

Ref:

1. A history of English literature : Compton-Rickett, Arthur, 1869-1937 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/historyofenglish00comprich    

2. A short history of English literature : Saintsbury, George, 1845-1933 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/shorthistoryofen00sain

3. Walters, M. (2005, October 27). Feminism: A Very Short Introduction. OUP Academic. https://doi.org/10.1093/actrade/9780192805102.001.0001

4. Full text of “Beauty and misogyny - Harmful cultural practices in the West.” (n.d.). Full Text of “Beauty and Misogyny - Harmful Cultural Practices in the West.” https://archive.org/stream/BeautyAndMisogynyHarmfulCulturalPracticesInTheWestBySheilaJeffreys/Beauty%20and%20Misogyny%20-%20Harmful%20Cultural%20Practices%20in%20the%20West%20by%20Sheila%20Jeffreys_djvu.txt