Last month author Courtney E. Martin answered the too-common question "Is Feminism Dead?" for the New Statesman. This past week, the UK blog The F Word responded with an inquiry of their own: "Can't we put this one to bed?" Feminists are right to feel exhausted by having to continually address this ridiculous notion. Since Time magazine's 1998 cover story on this topic, feminists have had to answer this deadly question that plagues their work. What feminists know, and what others fail to realize, is that feminism has no end-point.
People tend to think of feminism as women gaining the right to vote or women entering the workplace. In the early days of feminism, there was a strong push for women to achieve parity on these issues and feminism was a movement identified with certain goals. But feminism is no longer a movement. It is not a list of items that we can check off and be done with. Feminism today extends beyond a limited number of defined initiatives. It is an undercurrent in which women -- and a growing number of men -- live their lives. Feminism is an ideology that promotes equality and fairness on a range of issues that impact women. It will not merely be over when we have a woman president or when men become nannies.
Looking for the end of feminism is like trying to name the end of the war on terror. Linguist George Lakoff argued in Alternet that a war on terror has no end because terror is an abstract noun. Similarly, we can say the same of feminism. The feminism that exists today is broad and encompasses many different issues from honor killings in Jordan to pay equity in America. Those looking to name the end of feminism will continue to struggle because there will, unfortunately, be another equality issue for feminists to rightly get behind. While the underlining principles of feminism remain the same, the specific issues feminists address evolve and change. Responding to new issues with justice and fairness is human decency. When we pass laws that benefit children, we don't say, "We passed Emily's Law. Our work for children is done." As a society, we value children and understand that continually we need to protect them, ensure their safety, and aid in their general well-being. Women's issues should be viewed the same way.
Today, feminists are actively working in their communities to ensure women and children live free from abuse, poverty, and discrimination. Non-profit women's organizations like Momsrising are advocating for paid maternal and paternal leave. Women in retirement are volunteering for League of Women Voters. And there are over 750 women's studies programs in colleges and universities. At all ages women are involved in feminism because it is still needed.
Women are 40 percent more likely than men to live in poverty, according to Legal Momentum's compiled data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Women continue to be primarily responsible for child care. One in six American women have been victims of rape or attempted rape reports the U.S. Department of Justice. And women's views are still considered gender-specific while a man's perspective is perceived to be universal.
The number of issues feminists find themselves involved in is truly overwhelming. If you have a hard time pin-pointing feminism, it might be because the obstacles and issues women continue to face are numerous. A quick glimpse at the National Organization for Women's website shows this to be true with feminists involved in campaigns related to a range of topics such as health care, domestic violence, and education. Today's feminism supports not only the rights of women, but promotes equality for people regardless of sexual orientation, race, or class. With today's feminism playing out in this broad and necessary way, it is impossible to issue its death certificate.
People will argue that feminism is passé and no longer needed. Women are members of Congress, the pay gap is narrowing, and women are CEOs. They will point to a list of perceived inroads and wonder, "What are feminists still complaining about?" They'll neglect to mention that only 16 percent of seats in Congress are held by women, women earn 77 cents to the dollar, and only 13 Fortune 500 companies are run by female CEOs. It's wrong to make the leap from specific examples to the conclusion that women have achieved full political, social, and economic equality and that the rights of women are guaranteed in our society.
As long as there is disparity and injustice in the world, feminism will exist. If we ever did get to a point when feminism is no longer needed, then I, a proud feminist, would be honored to write the obituary.