The idea of
women and power was recently displayed in the United States 2016 Presidential
Election. We saw a powerful female
figure attempt to gain support so she can lead our nation and mark another step
towards equalizing women and men.
However, her Presidential campaign was met with a lot of backlash,
including people calling her a ‘bitch’ and ‘weak looking’.
These terms had nothing to do with her
proposals but were instead meant to demean the idea of a women sitting in a place
of power. In Modules on Foucault, we learn that we are directly responsible as
human beings to create our own individual powers. The ridicule on a female candidate showed the
world that we are far away from the idea that men and women are equal in this
world. However, Hilary Clinton’s
campaign showed the nation that the courage of women is strong and if you fight
for change, you can overcome great adversities.
In an online article titled Fear
of a Female President, we get an insight of the root of the reasons as to
why the ridicule on Hilary Clinton was a sign of sexism. The article states, “It’s relevant because the Americans who dislike her most are those who
most fear emasculation. According to the Public Religion Research Institute,
Americans who “completely agree” that society is becoming “too soft and
feminine” were more than four times as likely to have a “very unfavorable” view
of Clinton as those who completely disagree.” People did not want America to become a ‘feminist’
nation and therefore a gender backlash was created. Female empowerment is a potent force to be
reckoned with, and Hilary’s candidacy was an example of women’s brave actions
to show they can too be world leaders. 
In Women And The Family, Plato
argues that women and men have the same natural abilities, but women are weaker
in realizing these abilities. While his
statements are highly debated, they are not meant to put down women. They are instead insight as to why gender
roles are formed in the first place.
Plato goes on to say that educating about women’s abilities and
dis-empowering the male hierarchy structure can allow women to occupy positions
of great status. An example of educating
women is the Black Feminist groups today, which are comprised of women of color
who know they have the ability to do anything a man can do. While it is
important to stay educated on topics regarding women and power, it would be
even greater to see a woman in power because it will impose equality when
viewing gender roles in leadership.
Beinart, Peter. "Fear Of A Female President". The Atlantic. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
"Introduction To Michel Foucault, Module On Power". Cla.purdue.edu. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
"Women And The Family". Book V 160-167. Print.
