Feminism is a term used to describe a political, cultural or economic movement aimed at establishing equal rights and legal protection for women. Feminism involves political and sociological theories and philosophies concerned with issues of gender difference, as well as a movement that advocates gender equality for women while campaigning for women's rights and interests (Banks, 1993). The term “feminism” was not that common until the 1970s. The history of feminism can be divided into three waves. The first feminist wave was in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the second was in the 1960s and 1970s, and the third extends from the 1990s to the present. Feminist theory developed from the feminist movements.
Feminism has transformed major perceptions in a wide range of areas within the western culture, ranging from culture to law. Feminist activists have advocated for women's legal rights. These rights include: rights of contract, property rights, voting rights, for abortion rights and reproductive rights. Moreover, other issues of interest such as protection of women and girls from domestic violence, sexual harassment and rape, workplace rights, including maternity leave and equal pay, and against other forms of gender-specific discrimination against women have been advocated.
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From the early work of women sociologist’s, feminist sociology has focused on the power relationships and inequalities between women and men. How can the conditions of inequality faced by women be addressed? As Harriet Martineau put it in Society in America (1837):
“ All women should inform themselves of the condition of their sex, and of their own position. It must necessarily follow that the noblest of them will, sooner or later, put forth a moral power which shall prostrate cant [hypocrisy], and burst asunder the bonds (silken to some but cold iron to others) of feudal prejudice and usages. In the meantime is it to be understood that the principles of the Declaration of Independence bear no relation to half of the human race? If so, what is the ground of this limitation?”
Principles of Feminist Therapy
Feminist therapy emerged from the many challenges women have faced throughout history, which have affected their psychological health. Women and other groups that have been sidelined address the challenges they experience due to the sociopolitical status often imposed upon them. With the help of a psychological health professional, they are able to come up with solutions to treat mental health needs and work toward social change. The principles of feminist therapy include:
Personal and political context – T his addresses social change, in that a person's issues are contemplated within the environment of the person's cultural, political, or social context.
Commitment to social change – The purpose of therapy is not only to help the individual, but also to create an optimistic impact on society.
Value of diverse perspectives – The therapeutic process honors and welcomes diverse perspectives. Women’s experiences are respected and they are encouraged to get in touch with their personal experiences and sensitivity.
An egalitarian relationship – The therapeutic relationship is set up to demystify therapy and prevent a power imbalance between the therapist and the female patient. The counseling relationship is free which encourages equality between the therapist and the client. The client should be aware that she has the power to change and define herself; the therapist is only a means to the desired end, which is a new vision and information (Root & Brown, 2014) .
Strength-focused Approach – A therapist may avoid diagnostic labels, redefine mental health issues, and highlight the strengths of the person in therapy. Descriptions of distress and mental illness are reformulated relating to the internal and external aspects of distress. Pain and resistance are seen as an encouraging confirmation of the longing to live and overcome distress rather than being regarded as weak (Wilding & Griffey, 2015) .
Recognition of all types of oppression – Therapists usually express recognition of the fact that oppression is detrimental to all people . Feminist therapists use an integrated study of oppression. This means that they understand that both men and women are exposed to oppression and that these oppressive familiarities have a deep effect on beliefs and perceptions.
Connection between Feminist Therapy, Empowerment and Multicultural Sensitivity
Feminist therapy focuses on empowering women and helping them discover how to break some traditional roles that women play that may be hindering their development and growth. Feminist therapy tends to be more focused on strengthening women in areas such as assertiveness, communication, relationships, and self-esteem (Worell & Remer, 2002). The main objective of feminist therapists is to develop equal mutual relationships of care and support. It is important to realize that feminist therapy is not just for women but men can benefit as well. A flexible or multicultural theory is required so that hypotheses and interferences are chosen with awareness and sensitivity to the cultural and ethnic values of clients. Feminist have been sensitive to the fact that cultures do not pre-exist, but are largely shaped by social interaction. As a result, feminists have shown how gender hierarchies structure all cultures, Western and non-Western, and explored the troubling fact that the status of women seemed to be at the heart of most cultural conflicts in the West.
The social justice perspective of feminist therapy and how it can assist in advocating for human rights is also considered. Attacks on women, minorities and the gay community have brought about an atmosphere of social injustice. This prompted the social justice’s decisions to dedicate focus to women. The criminalization of abortion and the increasing imprisonment of women are all examples of such injustices. Human rights recognize that all people deserve equal opportunities and treatment regardless of who they are. They earn these rights simply by being human.
The feminist perspective on the debate around human rights is particularly significant as the feminist movement began as a struggle to ensure that all women were given the same basic rights as the men. The rights that women have struggled for are regularly the same rights that oppressed groups across the world are also struggling for. Equality is the aim. These rights include, right to be free from violence, the right to participate in the economic and political system of the country, the right to liberty, and the right to equal treatment by the law (Funderburk & Fukuyama, 2002). Feminism can help drive a discussion of the ways in which human rights overlap. They prioritize the rights of women, and ensure their enforcement. For instance, the right of the woman to live a life free of sexualized violence is of higher importance than the right of that culture to practice their religion in a traditional manner. Feminism offers a detailed and organized system of protest and activism. It has given rise to a wealth of popular campaigns, and by utilizing existing networks, has provided priceless support to a wide range of marginalized and oppressed groups.
Conclusion
Feminist therapy is valuable and advantageous to today’s society. The human race will continue to evolve and new theories will also evolve to meet the needs of our society. Feminist therapists will continue to break down the hierarchy of power by therapeutic approaches and interventions. The overall remaining goal is empowerment of the client and social positive change and transformation for women in general.
References
Banks, J. A. (1993). Chapter 1: Multicultural education: Historical development, dimensions, and practice. Review of research in education, 19(1) , 3-49.
Funderburk, J. R., & Fukuyama, M. A. (2002). Feminism, multiculturalism, and spirituality: Convergent and divergent forces in psychotherapy. Women & Therapy, 24(3-4) , 1-18.
Root, M. P., & Brown, L. (2014). Diversity and complexity in feminist therapy. New York: Routledge.
Wilding, L., & Griffey, S. (2015). The strength-based approach to educational psychology practice: a critique from social constructionist and systemic perspectives. Educational Psychology in Practice, 31(1) , 43-55.
Worell, J., & Remer, P. (2002). Feminist perspectives in therapy: Empowering diverse women. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
