Feminism's Resilience: Why Reports of Its Demise Are Greatly Exaggerated
Feminism is far from dead, yet people persistently write its obituary. Over the decades, I have witnessed numerous such declarations, with a fresh surge in recent years. These premature death announcements often stem from two flawed assumptions. Firstly, there is a notion that we have reached the end of the narrative, where a final verdict on feminism can be delivered. This perspective suggests that after sixty years since the 1960s feminist surge, the process should be complete, and if victory is not absolute, then failure is assumed. In reality, it is naively defeatist to expect millennia of patriarchy, entrenched in law, culture, social structures, and economics, to be fully dismantled within a single lifetime.
The Misguided Weathervanes of Failure
The second assumption is that isolated events can serve as weathervanes for feminism's failure. Recent popular candidates include the overturning of Roe v Wade in June 2022, the #MeToo movement, and the Epstein files. It is crucial to remember that the United States does not represent the entire world. For instance, many obituary writers have proclaimed #MeToo as over or failed, but this judgment lacks basis. Is it founded on the expectation that all sexual abuse should have ceased? If not, does that mean feminism, particularly the #MeToo subcategory, has not succeeded? No other human rights movement is measured by such unrealistic criteria. Did anyone believe the civil rights movement should be judged by whether it eradicated all racism forever? The pursuit of perfection often becomes an enemy of progress, serving as an impossible standard and a tool to undermine genuine achievements.
The Tangible Impact of #MeToo
When assessing #MeToo's impact, it is essential to recognize that it did not emerge from a vacuum. It was a consequence of preceding years of feminist upheaval, which itself built on earlier feminist work. This upheaval fostered a vast public discourse, educating society about the pervasiveness of gender violence and challenging stereotypes that protected perpetrators by blaming victims. It created editorial willingness to expose abusers like Harvey Weinstein and unpack the mechanisms shielding them.
This led to significant legal changes. Six years after the 2017 upheaval, experts noted that prior to #MeToo, only three states had passed anti-harassment reforms. Since then, 70 workplace anti-harassment laws have been enacted across 40 US states, with 3,000 pieces of legislation introduced overall influenced by #MeToo. A nationwide law in 2021 ended forced arbitration for sexual assault and harassment, granting victims court access. These legislative reforms have enhanced accountability and victim protection, though such incremental, complex progress often goes unnoticed in headlines.
Invisible Successes and Ongoing Struggles
Eager obituary writers tend to declare #MeToo a failure whenever high-profile abuse cases surface, ignoring that reporting and prosecutions may result from these shifts. The most crucial impact of #MeToo resembles many environmental victories: success is defined by what does not happen. For potential abusers, the imprisonment of figures like Weinstein, Danny Masterson, R Kelly, and Sean Combs served as a warning. The era of impunity has diminished as justice systems, employers, journalists, and the public became more willing to listen to victims.
There is no way to quantify how many crimes have been prevented due to increased societal readiness to believe women and girls, supported by legal rights advancements. The feminist vision I advocate is not carceral but one where respect for bodily integrity prevails. However, current realities show progress, with abusers facing consequences and victims gaining voice.
The Epstein Files and Broader Implications
The feminist upheaval likely influenced the Miami Herald's support for Julie K Brown's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's crimes, giving voice to dozens of victims. This led to Epstein's arrest, death in jail, and the release of the Epstein files, which continue to tarnish reputations and careers. These files educate the public on elite ideologies where some are shielded from accountability while others are deemed insignificant. Notably, men like congressmen Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna have actively campaigned for file releases, challenging the notion that feminism is solely women's work.
Remembering Historical Context
We are not at the story's end, yet many forget how far we have come. Decades ago, queer people were nearly invisible due to criminalization and stigma. Today, public figures from Elton John to Leo Varadkar exemplify visibility fought for by countless activists. Changes occur because people drive them, and forgetting past struggles risks undermining current progress. The right's attempts to roll back advancements, from climate policies to women's rights, highlight how much has been transformed, often for the better.
Reproductive Rights and Public Opinion
The overturning of Roe v Wade can be viewed through multiple lenses. Zooming out globally, 60 countries have expanded abortion rights in the past 30 years, with only four, including the US, narrowing them. Historically, women lacked many rights, including birth control access until court decisions in the 1960s and 1970s. Currently, only 13 US states have banned abortion outright, affecting less than 30% of women, while others have strengthened reproductive rights. Public opinion supports abortion access, with nearly two-thirds of Americans and over three-quarters of under-30s favoring legal abortion, suggesting restrictive laws may not be permanent.
Domestic Shifts and Gender Revolution
Significant changes are evident in domestic life, part of a gender revolution where women entered the workforce and men increasingly engaged in home and family roles. Studies show that in the 1960s, married women did seven times more housework and four times more childcare than their husbands. Today, women do twice as much, indicating progress though not full equality. Same-sex couples further challenge traditional gender templates, promoting relationships based on equality.
Conclusion: The Journey Continues
Too many obituaries have been written for feminism, often driven by schadenfreude or defeatism without context. Reflecting on sixty years of transformation highlights that progress is not inevitable; it results from relentless work, struggle, and education. As a witness to dizzying change, I encourage recognizing how far we have come, affirming that the fight for equality remains vital. Do not stop now; the journey toward a more just world continues, built on the foundations feminism has laid.
