Neo-Feminism

The evolution of all things depends on ascertaining its place in a system of classification and evaluation of its future goals and perspectives. Avoiding to recite the feminist mantra of the 21st century, Feminism still needs definition in our own words. Adhering to accepted standards, it is the theory of political, social and legal equality of womenCall it a cult of domesticity,” which is now found in women’s magazines, advice books, newspapers, fiction— and everywhere else, arose from new ideologies about womanhood, home, families, work and culture. Perhaps the most feminine of virtues of frailty, intuitive morality, nurturance, domesticity which were all due to our physical makeup was overthrown while defining the cardinal virtues of womanhood for new era. This traditional feminist view of women is quite extremist, in my opinion. The debasement of housework and child- birth and child-raising came as a negative consequence.
The brilliance stuck me when I saw a collage on one of my friend’s door with a caption “The essence of womanhood” which, most importantly, had a pregnant woman as the centerpiece. There were times when it was believed that women had lesser “life force” than men. It was considered important for women to channel all their energies into reproduction. It was estimated that education took away about 20% of a woman’s vital energy. Therefore, women were discouraged from intellectual activity because blood was needed for the development of the reproductive organs. Pregnant women too must not strain their brains, because intellectual activity would divert blood from the fetus, and result in the physical degeneration of the child, or their insanity. Rest assured, time has changed to a great deal since then.
In reality, our ‘unpaid labour force’ at home, is paid through the spiritual, mental and physical growth we go through as the result of child-bearing and child-raising. Our regenerative powers make “The lifeblood of creation, ‘The Creators’ and ‘The Nurturers’
In Bible, from the book of Proverbs, Chapter 31: verses 10-31
A [woman] of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies…She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar…She considers a field and buys it; out of earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night…She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple…She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’