feminism is simply the approach that gives attention to women and making them feel equal to men or still to be given some dignity.

Female Viewpoints in Plato’s `The Republic’

Evan and Eliza are University Students and they are about to do their thesis on feminism theories. Evan is trying to convince Eliza that Plato sometimes had works that seem to be favoring women since he claimed that women should be given attention so that their lives could be upgraded.

Evan: feminism is simply the approach that gives attention to women and making them feel equal to men or still to be given some dignity. In most of the works written by women, they have tried to give value to the women, and construct them as potential people who can help in building the society. They identify that society is not only made of men but women also and thus, they should be given the same special treatment that men are given so that they can upgrade their living standards (Plato). This will also mean that women will not entirely depend on men but they will be able to be independent especially in terms of finance. This is because when they are given an education, they are empowered to do anything they want just like men and that they can secure jobs that can help them to reach the standards that men have gone. Apart from education, there are many other areas that women can be given freedom, such as the freedom to make decisions especially concerning who and who not to marry. In fact, feminism also recognizes that women are not as backward as they used to be centuries ago and that they have qualities that men have or that they can also be as good as men. The only thing that they need is an opportunity to show it. This also seems to be the only thing that women have been denied and if it is given, then things can be different.

Eliza: Sometimes, I get confused on what exactly is meant by the approach. This is because more than once, women do not like doing what men do. For instance, very few women get their way into politics and even when they are forced so many of them remain adamant and they even do not want to vote, leave alone standing to ask for political positions. When you talk of giving women an opportunity, it becomes a confusing thing since I understand that in order for me to get an opportunity, I must fight for it, get the spirit needed and when they show stern intentions, and then they can be given the opportunities. It is also hard to tell if one can really utilize an opportunity that they did not struggle for in the best way possible.