New feminism is predominantly Catholic philosophy, which emphasizes the belief in the inherent complementarity between men and women, and not on the superiority of men over women, and women over men [1] .
The new feminism, as one of the varieties of feminism , supports the idea that men and women have different strengths, perspectives, and roles, and advocates the equal value and dignity of both sexes. Among its basic concepts, it stands out that the most important differences are biological, not cultural. The new feminism believes that women should be valued both as mothers, housewives in the house, and as individuals who have value in themselves.
Content
- 1 History
- 2 Key Ideas
- 3 Supporters
- 4 Criticism
- 5 notes
- 6 Literature
History
For the first time this term was used in 1920 in the UK to separate new feminists from traditional suffragetic feminism. This type of feminism is considered to be the second stage in the development of feminism (since the 1960s). A certain beginning is the publication in 1949 of the book “The Second Sex” by the French writer and philosopher Simone de Beauvoir . In this book, relying on philosophical, psychological, anthropological, historical, literary and life material, de Beauvoir for the first time tries to comprehend the problem of female existence in the modern world. He is also called radical feminism. Its appearance is associated with criticism of modern society, which is not able to realize the totalitarian equality of the sexes [2] .
At this time, the center for the development of these ideas created circles in which stereotypes of perception and assessment of various situations are rethought based on their own experience [3] .
Key Ideas
Simone de Beauvoir sees the reasons for the dependent status of women not so much in biological differences, legal and socio-economic inequality, but in how the concept of femininity was historically formed in culture and society [4] . Studying mythology, literature, various national traditions and values, the system of girls' upbringing, family models, she shows that the main obstacle to women's freedom is the prevailing idea of female being as “secondary” in society, which is thought “primary” in history and culture Man. The second wave of feminism focuses on the identity of women, female identity, their differences from men and even differences between themselves. The new feminists supported the understanding of man as one who was created in the likeness of God for the purpose of unification and communication. Feminist Ideas:
- Different bodily structures in men and women lead to different characteristics of life.
- To be a woman is to be a mother. Women are physically structured to be mothers. This ability leads to the psychological, emotional and spiritual characteristics that are necessary for the mother
- Regardless of whether a woman can give birth, she initially has a predisposition to maternal love.
Supporters
Modern supporters are Pia de Solenny, Janet E. Smith, Catherine Zeno, Elizabeth Fox-Genovese, Campbell Carroll, Mary Beth Bonachi, the Sisters Prudence Allen, Alice von Hildebrand , Kimberly Khan, Dorinda S. Bordley, Mary Ellen Bork.
Criticism
Critics of the movement claim that the new feminism was created by patriarchal structures for their own service. “This should mean that men are determined by women and women themselves say what it is to be a woman” [5] .
Other critics claim that no movement that opposes abortion and birth control in the form of artificial contraception can be at least in some ways positive for women. New feminism may be a form of gender or biological determinism. Some see him in the form of old sexual prejudices in a new guise.
Notes
- ↑ Allen, Sr. Prudence Allen. 'Man-Woman Complementarity: the Catholic Inspiration.' Logos 9, issue 3 (Summer 2006) http://www.endowonline.com/File/spComplementary.pdf (link not available)
- ↑ A. A. Kostikova Gender Philosophy and Feminism: History and Theory
- ↑ L. Popkova, E. Zhidkova Feminism or the history of the struggle of women for human rights.
- ↑ De Solenni, Pia. A Hermeneutic of Aquinas's Mens Through a Sexually Differentiated Epistemology: Towards an understanding of woman as imago Dei. Doctoral Thesis. Pontificia Universitas Sanctae Crucis. Rome 2000.
- ↑ LaReau, Renée M. 'Redesigning women: Is the church's “new feminism” a good fit?' US Catholic Magazine. Vol. 72: 1 (January 2006): 12-17.
Literature
- Women in Christ: Toward a New Feminism. Edited by Michele M. Schumacher. Cambridge, UK: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2004.
- "Feminism is Not the Story of My Life" by Elizabeth Fox-Genovese
- Every Woman's Journey: Answering "Who Am I?" For the Feminine Heart by Katrina J. Zeno
- God's Call to Women: Messages of Wisdom and Inspiration, Edited by Christine Anne Mugridge. Ann Arbor: Servant Publications, 2003.
- Essays on Woman by Edith Stein (Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Discalced Carmelite). 2nd ed. Translated by Freda Mary Oben. Washington DC: Institute of Carmelite Studies Publications, 1996.
- Wings & Dreams: 4 Elements of a New Feminism (Sophia Sirius Publishing) 2009. 1st Edition