Table of ContentsBattle of the Sexes (Feminism vs. Machoism)A Gendered ViewGendered Critical TheoryFeminism and Sexual Discourse in IRCCritical Theory aims to both criticize and change the world, instead of simply explain and interpret it. The term critical theory was coined by Max Horkheimer in his essay “Traditional and Critical Theory” (1937). By nature, it is radical, emancipatory and highly democratic; historically specific but constantly evolving. Even before Horkheimer, Karl Marx also contributed to critical theory stating that “philosophers have only interpreted the world in certain ways; it’s about changing it” (Theses on Feuerbach). Ontologically, the nature of the world is intrinsically one with diametrically opposed power dichotomies, disadvantageous imbalances, and covert, oppressive structures. Horkeimer states that the primary goal of critical theory is to “liberate human beings from the circumstances that enslave them” (Horkheimer 1982: 244). Freedom arises from the epistemic level because knowledge is power (arming the oppressed with weapons to lead a revolution against the dominant orders of society, merging theory and action, inciting change in living conditions, merging theory and action and aligning to work against various dominant orders in society). Company). It appreciates people's lived experiences and interprets society's actions and symbols to understand social oppression. Methodologically, critical theory is pluralistic, particularly due to several socio-economic and political changes brought about by globalization. Consequently, several genres of critical theory have emerged, for example racial, postcolonial and feminist. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayFeminism is any socio-economic, political, and cultural movement aimed at reforming society through equal rights and protections in woman's name. Traditional feminism embraces the legality of women as independent individuals, promoting full participation, inclusion and integration to enjoy their rights, responsibilities and privileges. Improving the social condition of women in civil life depends on progressivism in which public policies are catalysts for positive social change and where they will be emancipated and empowered. Feminism is convinced of the positive potential of women and the benefits that could flow through to society as a whole through their empowerment. “Feminism concerns the social transformation of relations between the sexes” (Calas 2009). Feminism virulently opposes the subjugation of women, their subjugation, and misogynistic injustices – seeking to liberate women from inhibiting traditions and the status quo that tend to undermine the validation of their personhood. In general, feminists support gender equality, where both sexes can enjoy equal opportunities in the domestic and public domains. Woman is no longer an inferior or weak sex. She is an equal. Feminism also views the world through gender lenses, discerns male dominance through patriarchal structures, and advocates against it. There is an endless list of variations within feminism, for example liberal feminism calls for women's equality, public rights and inclusion in decision-making and discourse. Radical feminism demands a complete and fundamental restructuring and redefinition of the world's institutions, systems, and human experience to replace those thatare oriented towards men. Marxist feminism focuses on capitalism as the root cause of female oppression, particularly in the labor market where men possess more capital and economic privilege. Other types of feminism include ecofeminism, separatist feminism, postmodern feminism, third world feminism, psychoanalytic feminism, postcolonial feminism, and Amazonian feminism, among others. Gender (Feminism vs. Machoism) Polarization between men and women is an integral part of the perpetual battle of the sexes - concerned with the question of who should be more privileged in the gender roles assigned by society. The battle of the sexes is based on female identity, autonomy, oppression, disempowerment, all of which reflect the… Feminism frames a discourse that attempts to challenge long-standing male supremacy. In the past, men held a monopoly on speech due to unequal structures (domestic/family, business, work, education, religion, and government) that dictated speech to women. In critical feminist theory, “universal criteria are not devoid of values, but (based) on masculine norms” (May 2001). Due to the male preponderance, the discourse would position the man at the center such that the masculine “Self” is considered to be the one that prevails while the feminine “Other” is relegated to the margins of society. In this battle, machismo seeks to continue the promulgation of a masculine perspective in the ideas, structures and institutions that cement its control over society. The male voice dominates and represses the woman. Therefore, “the answer is…to move away from the male-centered perspective and place women at its center” (May 2001), thereby questioning legitimacy and ousting patriarchal tradition. to assert yourself and rise above male oppression, inferiority, sexual abuse and gender stereotypes. Like men, women have the right to autonomy and must therefore break the yoke of oppression, repression and repression. Critical theory revolves around the ideals of women as unduly victimized and oppressed by patriarchy. This gender-centric philosophy addresses deep-rooted gender biases against women. This presupposes that phallocentric sexism is still widespread, discriminating and denying women's equality. Legitimized patriarchy in a global system has allowed blatant inhumanities and injustices to spread against women, called misogyny. Misogynistic practices and policies physically and metaphorically violate women's dignity and personality. Faced with these indignities, feminists apply critical theory by privileging and empowering women. Feminist critical theory identifies double standards and societal hypocrisy, such that woman is forced to conform to different rules inconsistent with fairness. Dominant critical theory inherently privileges men while disadvantaging women; the feminist discourse therefore highlights the flaws of the patriarchal discourse which tends to discriminate and deprive women of their power. The double standard code of ethics governs the woman's behavior. Even in social research, feminists have managed to enter the subject of research with double standards, such that "other forms of sexism in the design of a study can also lead to a double standard in the study." “interpretation of data” (Eichler, 1999). Critical theory oriented by feminist principles raises the question: is it free from male-dominated norms? 2004).