Social movements and Gender

Social movements are important to society; social movements are collective, continuous political activity based upon a shared set of claims, using social networks to maintain sustained challenges against powerful opponents. Social movements have evolved greatly in the 18^th century. Prior to the 18^th century social movements had the three basic characteristics of being parochialism, direct action and particularism. In the 18^th century three new types of movements emerged, boycotts, petitions and urban insurrection.

One social movement from the past that helped affect my life was the women’s rights movement. There were many accomplishments made during the women’s right movement; however, gender stratification still exists today. There is still institutional sexism, and women everyday experience it. On a global perspective, women are viewed differently for different cultures. In a majority of these cultures patriarchy is what they believe in. patriarchy is the idea that males dominate females in a form of social organization. Many sociologists believe that gender is socially constructed and therefore can be changed. 

During the women’s rights movement, women fought for the right to be treated equally and demanded to receive the same rights as men. They fought for equal paying jobs, the right to vote, and the right to obtain an education. Because of this social movement, I am able to vote, get an education and have the choice to get a job.

http://history.house.gov/Exhibitions-and-Publications/WIC/Historical-Essays/No-Lady/Womens-Rights/

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/history-womens-rights-movements