The Degradation of Women in Western Society Under the Guise of Feminism

D. Fouad Saleh Al-Shahmani

Abstract

This article aims to clarify the role that feminism has played in the degradation of women in Western society-especially as feminist ideologies have become increasingly widespread in those societies, subsequently influencing Arab societies as well due to their appealing rhetoric and seemingly refined principles. Feminism claims to elevate the status of women, whose roles in Western societies have allegedly diminished or been shattered due to male dominance and restrictions on their freedoms. This marginalization, in turn, has led to the exclusion of women from their natural, leading roles in society. However, a critical question arises: Has feminism truly succeeded, both theoretically and practically, in achieving its stated goal of empowering women? Or has it, on the contrary, undermined women\'s dignity? Rather than enabling women to attain the noble position granted to them by God, feminism appears to have contributed to their degradation by dismantling the family structure and commodifying women as objects bought and sold, thus diverting them from the higher purpose for which they were created. This study will adopt a descriptive and critical methodology to evaluate feminist discourse by tracing its historical roots, examining its main currents, and analyzing the key principles and frameworks, such as secularism, rationalism, and pragmatism, that have ultimately led not to the elevation of women; but to their exploitation.

Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)