Since the conceptualization of the sexes, the drive to differentiate between female and male has played an essential part in the construction of identity and culture. Yet, Simone de Beauvoir asks, "What is a woman?" Her question illustrates our desire to disassociate ourselves with everything that defines a woman. Submissive, sexual, passive, needy, emotional, weak are all socially constructed qualities that allow a woman to perform femininity, whereas men perform masculinity through the opposite qualities. These conflicting behaviors result from the duality between the sexes. Beauvoir explains that the historical development of female gender began with ancient philosophy and the Bible, which stated that humanity was male. This belief resulted in male dominance over women, as they saw themselves superior. Man defined women relative to himself, as the Other. Beauvoir believes the women's complete subordination resulted because their inability to organize a unit or community, and their constant dispersal among males. Even man's dependency on woman for offspring and pleasure lends her no equality, the relationship is compared to that of a slave and master. In addition, the men are the only sex that works, so the women are dependent on their income. It was a man's world, created by men, until the 18th century. Woman began to work during the industrial revolution and gained a new independence that was feared by men. Beauvoir affirms that change is happening, but inequality will always have a presence in men's minds. The impact of oppression and unequal treatment on women has made them advocates for the general interest and public good.
The way in which Beauvoir posed the question, "what is a woman?" Immediately grasped my attention. The fact that women were denouncing their sexual identity, their human nature, because society's mainstream expectations had tainted it, is an enormous sacrifice. Beauvoir did mention that this sort of defiance showed that the women were haunted by their femininity, but I am in disagreement with her. The construction of femininity began with civilization, and therefore became a repression inherent in the culture. I believe it is similar to the theory of the "culture of poverty," (can't remember the guys name who came up with it, but he knows what he's talking about.) which claims that poverty is an inherent trait within a family that is passed on from generation to generation. Repression could easily be passed on, or continued, through generations, because kids growing up are being educated by the mainstream culture, which creates their values and identity. Then as they grow up, they will demonstrate what they learned from ideological state apparatuses (i.e. schools, family, and church). Gaining complete equality is a very hard goal to reach, unless humanity unites.
I did not understand everything Beauvoir was inferring in her text, but I saw many correlations between her interpretation of social inequality and present day inequalities. She mentioned man's view of woman became extremely sexualized once he was empowered by domination over humanity. This sexualized view of women is still one of the most prevalent and damaging social injustices against women in society, today. Sex is used to sell products, videogames, liquor, etc... You name it there is an ad of it with an almost naked woman in it. In addition, it is very sad, but male domination has not left our culture at all. Women dress like men in order to be taken seriously in the professional world and they are more focused on attaining a muscular body rather than just a slim body. In addition, repression of women through body language, male models, and skinniness is advertisements are really affecting young girls and adolescent's self-image.
- Change is needed, but how can it be accomplished when the media runs our world?
- How would you describe eternal feminism? Do you believe there are any positive aspects to it?
- Beauvoir only once mentions a man's dependency on a woman, but represents it as a master –slave relationship; do you think this she is over exaggerating the inequality between spouses?
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