Blackboard

Post #3: Beauvoir and Womens Rights

Beauvoir argues that being able to vote and go to work is just a vain processes to reach liberation, as
long as the economic independence is still not achieved. She points out how that work does not
equal freedom, and while she can be equal in the sense that she can go work, she still is not on an
equal playing field; woman and man have different past[s] (p.735?) that led them to where they are
now. Woman is still essential as long as she depends on the man, or leans on him, because then she
is actively practicing passive femininity. She restricts herself with the same limits the patriarchal
society put on her. She accepts her immanence; as long as women do not realize the power that lies
within them they are not going to be free to create change and take control. Woman and man are not
equal. but they find that equality in the inequality; they are constantly looking for the other to blame.
Inequality affects woman and man together, woman are learning how to be passively feminine and
men are learning how to become tough and masculine. Woman is always seeking her salvation in
the path imposed on her, that of passivity, at the same time she is actively demanding her
sovereignty (p.755), and in this dilemma lies the fear of changing anything from its usual route.
While in the 50s. I think most people worldwide were afraid of change, but shortly after, in the 60s,
that fear diminished. As a result of the brave movements of the 60s, there is less fear of tackling
inequality today. People today still look at the 60s for hope to take control of the inequalities they are
facing and create a better future for their children and grandchildren, if not for themselves. I feel like
this change is more active in some societies more than others. For instance, in Jordan, women
movements and activists are fighting for equal opportunities and perception in society, through using
the Quran as their revolutionary tool. In Saudi Arabia, women are finally allowed to vote last summer,
and less restricted in her movement generally. This transformation is taking place, but the foundation
of that change is stronger in some places more than others.