IndexBattle of the sexes (feminism versus machoism)A vision of genderCritical gender theoryFeminism and sexual discourse in the IRCCritical theory is aimed at both criticizing and changing the world, rather than simply explaining and interpreting it. The term critical theory was coined by Max Horkheimer in his essay “Traditional and Critical Theory” (1937). By its nature, it is radical, emancipatory and highly democratic; historically specific but constantly evolving. Even before Horkheimer, Karl Marx also contributed to critical theory by stating that “philosophers have interpreted the world only in certain ways; it's about changing it" (Thesis on Feuerbach). Ontologically, the nature of the world is intrinsically characterized by diametrically opposed power dichotomies, built-in disadvantageous imbalances, and secretive and oppressive structures. Horkeimer states that the primary goal of critical theory is “to free human beings from the circumstances that enslave them” (Horkheimer 1982, 244). Freedom arises at the epistemic level because knowledge is power (arming the oppressed with weapons to lead revolution against the dominant orders of society, fusing theory and action, instigating change in living conditions fuses theory and action and aligns itself with working against the different dominant orders of society). Appreciates people's lived experiences and interprets societal actions and symbols to understand social oppression. Methodologically, critical theory is pluralistic primarily as a result of numerous socio-economic and political changes brought about by globalization. As a result, different 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 Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Feminism is any socioeconomic, political, and cultural movement aimed at reforming society through equal rights and protections on behalf of women. Traditional feminism embraces the legality of woman as an independent individual, promoting full participation, inclusion and integration to enjoy her rights, responsibilities and privileges. The improvement of the social status of women in civil life depends on progressivism in which public policies are the catalysts for positive social change and where she would be emancipated and empowered. Feminism is convinced of the positive potential of women and the benefits that could accrue to society as a whole through their empowerment. “Feminism is about the social transformation of gender relations” (Calas 2009). Feminism virulently opposes the subjugation, servility and misogynistic injustices of women, striving to free women from inhibiting traditions and the status quo that tend to undermine the validation of their personality. In general, feminists advocate for gender equality where both sexes can avail themselves of the same opportunities in both the domestic and public spheres. Woman is no longer an inferior or weak sex. She is the same. Feminism also perceives the world through gender lenses, discerns male dominance through patriarchal structures and opposes it. Within feminism there is an inexhaustible list of variations, for example liberal feminism calls for women's equality, public rights and inclusion in decision-making and discourse. Radical feminism calls for a complete and fundamental restructuring and redefinition of institutions, systems, and the human experience of the world to replace male-oriented ones. Marxist feminism focuses on capitalism as the root causeof female oppression, especially in the labor market where men possess more capital and economic privileges. Eco-feminism, separatist feminism, postmodern feminism, third world feminism, psychoanalytic feminism, postcolonial feminism, and Amazonian feminism, among others, constitute other types of feminism. Battle of the Sexes (feminism versus machoism) The polarization of men and women is an integral part of the perpetual battle of the sexes, concerned with who should be more privileged in the gender roles assigned by society. The battle of the sexes is based on female identity, autonomy, oppression and disempowerment, which reflect all the… Feminism frames a discourse that attempts to challenge long-standing male supremacy. In the past, men held a monopoly on discourse due to the unequal structures (domestic/family, business, work, education, religion and government) that dictated to women. In feminist critical theory, “universal criteria are not value-free, but (based) on masculine norms” (May 2001). Due to male preponderance, the discourse would position the male at the center such that the male “Self” is seen as the one that prevails while the female “Other” is relegated to the margins of society. In the battle, machoism seeks to continue promulgating a male perspective in ideas, structures, and institutions that cement its control in society. The male voice dominates and represses the woman. Consequently, “the answer is… to move away from the male chauvinist perspective and place women at the centre” (May 2001), effectively questioning legitimacy and ousting the patriarchal tradition. A Gender View Feminist theory focuses on women's growth trajectories. assert oneself and overcome male oppression, inferiority, sexual abuse and gender stereotypes. Like men, women have the right to autonomy, therefore they must break the yoke of oppression, repression and repression. Critical theory hinges on the ideals of women as those who have been unduly victimized and oppressed by patriarchy. This gender-centered philosophy clashes with deeply rooted, sexist prejudices against women. It assumes that phallocentric sexism is still widespread, discriminating against and denying equality to women. Patriarchy legitimized in a world system has allowed grave inhumanity and injustices against women, called misogyny, to flourish. Misogynistic practices and policies physically and metaphorically violate women of their dignity and personality. Faced with these humiliations, feminists implement a critical theory by privileging and empowering women. Feminist critical theory identifies double standards and social hypocrisy so that women are forced to abide by different rules that are incompatible with fairness. Traditional critical theory intrinsically favors men while disadvantaging women; therefore feminist discourse highlights the gaps in patriarchal discourse which tends to discriminate and weaken women. The double code of ethics regulates women's behavior. Even in social research, feminists have managed to imbue the topic of double standard research so that “even other forms of sexism in study design can lead to a double standard in the interpretation of data” (Eichler1999). Critical theory oriented by feminist principles raises the question: is this free from male-dominated standards or double standards: are both sexes considered and privileged? These questions shed light on the validation of women where previously they were relegated to inferiority and even anonymity in discourse. Feminism gives birth to emancipation 2004).