What changes have taken place in the so-called “feminine question” since 1995?
We see that there have been social, cultural and political victories for women in many parts of the world. Respect for their fundamental rights and dignity has notably improved, although there is still a long way to go. At the same time, however, there are some negative aspects in the dangerous ideological trends that create an unsettling confusion in the area of the identity and specific vocation of women. The radical feminism that arose during the sexual revolution of the nineteen-sixties has brought about competitiveness and tension between the sexes and promoted the view that women stand in opposition to men. Marriage and family are presented as a kind of oppressive patriarchal construct that impedes the personal growth of women. They propose to “liberate” women from maternity because they consider it to be a form of disability. Abortion, which is a tragedy, is transformed into a kind of right that must be claimed. Gender ideology has the aim of changing the very nature of human sexuality. It wants to exchange sexual identity for sexual orientation and social role. Differences between the sexes would be no more than cultural constructs and therefore an object of free choice for individuals. This ideology definitely destroys the concept of marriage and family.[1]
There are people who say that the feminine question seems to have lost some of its urgency and relevance.[2]
Nowadays, at least in Western countries, as there is almost full formal equality between women and men, the feminine question has less urgency and relevance in public opinion than it had in 1995[3].
Certainly many inequalities still exist. One of these is the lack of protection for motherhood.
We can see how motherhood is not sufficiently defended and the difficulties this presents for a mother in the workplace. We know how much work women, particularly mothers, have to do in the home, something that deserves particular attention[4].
This inadequate protection for motherhood in societies that are increasingly focused exclusively on economic gain is a form of injustice. It is present in the so-called first world countries as well as in the third world and its social and economic impact cannot be underestimated. The inclusion of women in the workplace has opened up the question of balance between the workplace and family life. ... Continue
[1] Cardinal Stanisław. Ryłko, Donna nella Chiesa: fondamenti antropologici e teologici, at www.laici.va
[2] See C. Hoff-Sommers, Who stole Feminism?; Feminism is not the story of my life; D. Crittenden, What our Mothers didn’t tell us; Amanda Bright @ home; M. Terragni, La scomparsa delle donne.
