A Critique of Frye’s, Jordan’s, and Miller’s Feminist Theories Essay

Marilyn Fryes feminist opening is found on a mix of art and school of thought as well as a presentation of her own ideas in the context of the world. Fryes system stresses among other things, the fact that the power of feminism is embedded in the capability of making wo workforces lives and their experiences soundless by a vast majority of the masses (Frye, 1983). On the other hand, Jordans feminist theory lays emphasis on the womans ego with reference to her congenerical well-being (Jordan, 1991).Closely cerebrate to this, millers theory is based on the view that there is need to denotation womens experiences and make the world get a line them better. Thus, miller suggests that in order to sympathise women, there is need to understand their lives and values (Miller, 1987 Davis, 1999). This paper will examine and appraise the aforementioned theories and draw a conclusion based on the flaws or incongruence depicted by the theories, and will thus suggest whether the theor ies can be utilize together or as separate entities. Fryes Feminist TheoryFrye affirms that in order to understand women fully, that is in terms of their feelings, motivations, ambitions and how they argon likely to react to antithetical situations, there is need to understand their driving force forces, which are the determining factors in various responses (Frye, 1983). Fryes feminist theory thus presents an attempt to apologise the forces and how they apply to different women. While it may be true that there are deciding forces bottom every womans response to different situations, it is everywherely evident that the forces cannot be studied conclusively.This stand is instigated by the fact that women live in different conditions, and these conditions are likely to affect how they react to different circumstances. Thus, a generalization cannot be used to describe womens attitudes. In view of energizeual practice and sexuality, Frye notes that sex roles have inhibited men and women from being in charge of their choices since the activities involved in sex are already predetermined (Hoagland & Frye 2000). However, this supposition fails to address the sex drives involved among same-sex partners.Thus, even though Frye notes that women are sexually oppressed, it is difficult to concur with the argument since sexual freedom has increased tremendously in the world oer the past few years. Fryes likening of women to a birdcage in which if one observes one wire of the cage, she or he is likely not to see the other wires present in the cage (Davis, 1999) presents an interesting evince of discussion. This is true given that in there are instances when women are ignored, for example in restaurants when waiters expect men in company of women to pay the bills.This implies that much attention is paid to men, who are perceived to be a superior sex. Jordans Feminist Theory This theory emphasizes the connections among different aspects of womens lives, which are dev eloped by dint of relationships. It dwells on factors such as sexism and heterosexism, which separate women and alienate them from the rest of the society, thus subjecting them to a lot of ache (Jordan, 1991). In view of this, while it is true that women are more affected by issues that concern sex it is also imperative to note that such issues are not just limited to women.Concisely, men also suffer from issues related to sex. Jordans theory also dwells on the self-condition of women in relation to their relational wellbeing. Jordan emphasizes that approximately Western psychological theories tend to forefront too much on the womans self rather than her relations with others (Jordan, 1997). Along this line, Jordan asserts that men have subordinated women and view them as their subjects, thereby undermining womens relation capacity. This presumption has some substance with reference to how women were treated in the past.However, it may loose significance in the contemporary worl d where women have taken more leadership positions and have better control of their undertakings. Jordan addresses appetency by relating it to adolescent sexuality, noting that it arises from peoples integration with others and creation of relationships (Jordan, 1997). This is true in the context of what people commonly refer to as real love that develops amid men and women through their continued association. On the other hand, since relationships commonly break, there is an indication of a flaw in Jordans theory.Nevertheless, Jordans point of challenging the tendency by men to be dominant over women (Jordan, 1991) stresses the need for equality between men and women. Millers Feminist Theory Miller focuses on the concern of mens domination over women and their tendency to subordinate them (Miller, 1987). She asserts that the propensity by men to be dominant over women causes conflict between the two sexes because men fail to understand women. Miller also notes that in traffic w ith conflict, women, who are usually the subordinates revert to overt conflict, a phenomenon that is prevalent in the present day (Miller, 1987).Miller therefore questions why men should be dominant over women yet women have equal capabilities do what men can do. Millers feminist theory is important in addressing gender discrimination in the world. It also supports women in having voices to do what pleases them irrespective of what men think about them. However, its flaw lies in the fact that it fails to address why men have higher propensity to be dominant over women and why women usually revert to overt conflict when dealing with men. Conclusion The feminist theories by Frye, Jordan and Miller all address issues that though not congruent are closely related.Fryes theory is center on agreement women Jordans theory recognizes the womans self worth and the importance of womens participation in relations whereas Millers theory in centered on understanding women and why men should n ot treat them as subordinates. All these issues are closely related since they address the status of women and their role in the society, which is paramount in eliminating injustices against them. Hence the theories should treated together to achieve the objective. References Davis, F. (1999). woful the mountain The womens movement in America since 1960 Chicago University of Illinois Press Frye, M. (1983). Politics of reality Essays on feminist theory. cutting York Ten Speed Press Frye, M. (1992). Willful Virgin Essays in Feminism, 1976-1992. New York The convergence Press, Inc. Hoagland, S. L. & Frye M. (2000). Feminist interpretations of Mary Daly. Pennsylvania Penn State Press Jordan, J. (1991). Womens growth in connection New York Guilford Publications, Inc Jordan, J. (1997). Womens growth in diversity. New York Guilford Press Miller, J. (1987). Toward a new psychology of women. Boston, MA Beacon.