Discursive Double Concurrence and Its Impact on Equality

Résumé ou Introduction

In the May issue of the Cicero magazine Eva Herman puts up a provocative question: “Die Emanzipation - ein Irrtum?” Her answer is yes. She finds that feminism has deconstructed typical roles and clichés of women and men. Women have been forced into emancipation, into adapting atypical (male) behaviours, while their natural duty of motherhood is neglected. Torn apart between atypical and typical demands women inevitably fail. Herman’s conclusion is that emancipation is a failure which needs to be reversed. She might deliver sound arguments but the premises she draws upon are stunning. As she declares emancipation a failure she must conceive of it as a completed yet not accomplished endeavour. She degrades female emancipation and equality of genders a hopeless and dysfunctional idea which has proved to be a utopia of feminists. Contemporary feminists, on the other hand, would argue that emancipation is still in progress. As it has not ended yet Herman would be rash and biased in her judgement. Ironically, Herman shares her conviction of a concluded emancipation with others not opposed to it. It is true, however, that feminism as a political position is taking a rest while suspension of equal rights continues. Sexism in all its facets continues. The questions interconnected with this problem are: What hinders women from a discernment of disadvantage towards men? Why does feminism loose political and social agency? Why does the supremacy of the male sex continue? Why do women like Eva Herman encourage persons of the same sex to discard self realization?