Paradigm shift essay

Introduction:

The shift of femininity is a fundamental change in approaching to our society and deeply related to our daily lives. It also underlines assumptions of the shift in female sexuality, and physicality throughout history. The moments when new ideas of women’s ability displaced old and were accepted as mainstream tenets of our society, we need to start to think about what will these changes bring to our society. Instead of using large ideas or common knowledge, the detailed examples in our daily lives were also symbolized and propelled the change that occurs all around the world. This important transformation of femininity had been going for years and will continue to raise its power in the future.

Body:

Point 1: the shift in clothing

Bras:

In ancient Greece, women started to wear a specialized garment designed to restrain their breast as the beginning of the revolution of bras. Then, women in ancient Rome adopted a form of the Greek “bra”, and added a new viewpoint towards women’s breast. Romans regarded large breasts as a characteristic of aging and considered them unattractive. Therefore, young girls started to wear breast bands secured tightly in the believing that was beautiful. Modern day, bras certainly became a statement for women, and it is now a way to express beauty. Instead of wearing a garment for restraining the breast, women have more choices and freedom in clothing and their body. It is also turned towards a feminist movement for the liberation of our body. This little shift has changed the society as a whole and the change of the perspective of beauty.

Point 2: the shift of the education for women

1. Education shift in China
2. Before the establishment of the People’s Republic of China:

Along with the custom of foot binding among Chinese women that lasted through the end of the 19th century, it was recognized that a woman’s virtue lay with her lack of knowledge. As a result, female education was not considered to be worthy of attention

 

2. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China:

The percent of uneducated women was over 90%, and the most of the women who were educated had only completed the elementary level. (1931-1945) In the 1950s, a civilization project started. It provided educational opportunities for a large number of uneducated women to learn basic writing and calculation. However, the project was limited towards certain areas. In the 1980s, the Chinese government passed a new education law. It required local government to promote nine-year obligation education nationwide. When the time comes into the 21st century, university education is becoming more prevalent. The total enrollment goes up.

1. Education shift in the U.S.
2. Colonial

In Colonial America elementary education was widespread in New England, but limited elsewhere. Few girls attended formal schools, but most were able to get some education at home or at “Dame schools” where women taught basic reading and writing skills in their own houses. School taught both, but in places without schools reading was mainly taught to boys and also a few privileged girls. Men handled worldly affairs and needed to read and write. This educational disparity between reading and writing explains why the colonial women often could read, but could not write and could not sign their names—they used an “X”.

 

2. 21^st Century

For the first time, more doctoral degrees are conferred on women than men in the United States women. More doctoral degrees have been conferred on women every year since. (2004-2005)

Point 3: Women’s campaigns

1. Campaigns gave women chance to test their new political skills and to conjoin disparate social reform groups.

• Married Women’s Property Act (1882)
• The repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts of 1864, 1866, and 1869

1. It united women’s groups and utilitarian. Generally, women were outraged by the inherent inequity and misogyny of the legislation.

• Ladies National Association

It demonstrated the potential power of an organized lobby group. The association successfully argued that the Acts not only demeaned prostitutes but all women and men by promoting a blatant sexual double standard.

Point 4: inequality within different countries.

Conclusion:

The shift of femininity will continue its movement around the world while inequality still exists. The paradigm shift undergoes a more developed civilization. It is a definite for the human race as a whole to experience the change. Moreover, it will lead towards are more prosperous future.