Introduction
Soft. Modest. Gracious. These adjectives are allied with being feminine. In the current world setting, many women tend to run away from them in an attempt to shun the responsibilities and the discrimination associated with them. However, what if the same words could represent a more powerful stance towards modern-day feminism?
Feminine confidence involves reaching within oneself and tapping into self-authenticity and healthy vulnerability. Resistance works in two ways: One is by pushing away barriers to boldness, and two is by rejecting patriarchal norms that seem to have been set in stone by society. This article delves a little deeper to portray how femininity can fuel strength in modern feminist movements.
The Evolution of Feminism
Waves of Feminism
Feminism started as a movement from 1848 to 1920, focusing primarily on advocating for the legal rights of women. It was intended to allow women the ability to vote, own property, and file for divorce. Mary Wollstonecraft, with philosophy, among other women in their spheres of influence, drove reforms leading to a revolution across continents. This period ended up being referred to as the first wave of feminism.
The second wave happened between 1963 and the 1980s. It was characterized by advocacy towards reproductive health, workplace equality, and against domestic violence. The third wave began in the 1990s and progressed to the 2010s. In this wave, activists realised a racial disparity in feminism as they knew it. They began to acknowledge that other women not only faced oppression by gender, but also by race. So, another march began to include this category of women, hence the wave’s emphasis on intersectionality.
In 2012, the fourth wave of feminism emerged, which was characterized by digital activism. Dotted with the internet, the fourth wave involves running campaigns on social media, among other forms of creating awareness. The movement runs to date.
Modern-day Feminist Movements
In the present day, feminism has become diverse and inclusive, embracing the rights of everyone. The current wave of feminism brought within its bounds the LGBTQIA+ society alongside other racial minorities. It is intersectional in that it addresses sexism, racism, and classism in equal measure. Modern feminist movements are advocating for fair wages and equal opportunities to close the gender pay gap in a bid to promote economic freedom. They are also pushing for reproductive and bodily autonomy, particularly in healthcare systems.
Bridging the Gap between Femininity and Modern Feminist Movements
Traditional Biases
For some women, being asked to be feminine may come as an insult to their progress. Throughout history, the feminine gender has occasionally been perceived as weak. This implied that they were not represented at the table, even when it came to issues that directly impacted them, like healthcare and childbearing. A woman was required to be a fly on the wall; to be seen and not heard. Contrary to that, femininity is a strength on its own. If anything, femininity as a phrase would be described as “Meekness is not weakness; it is strength under control”.
Feminine Traits and Their Reflection in Modern-day Feminism
Graciousness
Grace might as well be considered a superpower in a world that exalts a self-seeking culture. Poise enables women to extend a warm hand of acceptance to diverse people. Feminism, with grace, makes room for equality and promotes inclusivity.
Softness and gentleness
Femininity presents women as gentle. In a woman’s gentleness lies depths of wisdom and tact. Softness may be considered a low-lying quality, but many fail to recognize that soft items are easily malleable. This translates to an easily adaptable person. With this trait, women can quickly embrace change in a fast-paced world. This means that women can evolve with feminism as its brackets and roles expand.
Empathy
Privileged women can relate to others who have not yet achieved economic and social freedom. This compassion enables the modern feminist movements to keep pushing for reforms until all women are liberated worldwide.
Sensitivity and expressiveness
Women can tap into each other’s challenges and offer support in whichever area is necessary because of emotional vulnerability. In modern-day feminist movements, this looks like sharing a story on Instagram to increase visibility or participating in a hashtag to call out perpetrators of injustice.
Good grooming
When a woman was unjustifiably punished by society in Kenya for her dressing, the “My Dress My Choice” movement was born. Women and men came out to protest in large numbers, using fashion to make a statement. The echoes of this chant in the streets of Nairobi aimed to raise an uproar and communicate a message of liberation
Elegance in speech
In the world of keyboard warriors who rush into every argument online thoughtlessly, taking a beat before drafting a response is considered wise. Suffice to say, a woman with great communication skills drives her points in a respectful yet still powerful manner. The calm energy behind a well-crafted caption of a post, or a nicely constructed hashtag for a story or an article, can be felt on screens across continents.
Feminine Confidence and Resistance
Femininity can coexist with feminism when women are self-aware of their feminine traits. This authenticity trickles into living out feminism confidently in action, whether on digital platforms inside or with placards outside.
The bounds of femininity may vary across cultures, with assorted adjectives and societal expectations of women’s characters. However, with feminine resistance, women can now unapologetically shift the narrative to work in their favour and influence change. The same qualities many abhor to be associated with can be used to fuel strength in modern-day feminism.
Conclusion
Instead of rejecting their femininity, all women should adopt it. Although these characteristics have historically been linked with weakness, there are more benefits than demerits to embracing your feminine side. In this manner, women can capitalize on their fundamental strengths and use them to further the goals of contemporary feminism. The time has come for women to step up and turn the so-called dirt into useful pots.
