Essay on Reform Movements

It is known that reform movements are social movements the major goal of which is to make gradual changes in certain aspects of the social structure (Kendall, 2012, p.609). Reform movements play a significant role in shaping political views and individual’s identity. Due to the activity of a number of earlier reform movements, life in the USA is better today. The earlier reformists fought for human rights, equality, education standards, etc. Some of the progressive earlier reform movements in the USA include the Women’s Rights Movement, the Education movement, the Mentally Ill Reform Movement. Some reform movements are not too old. They include movements to reform drunk-driving policies, movements to create an awareness of domestic violence as a real problem in present day society, reform movements to provide access for handicapped persons, movements to change laws to prevent discrimination against gay people, the anti-abortion movement, prison reform movement, etc. The ideas of reformists are often focused on liberalism, or on some social concepts, or on personal transformation. For example, prison reform movement has the major goal ”“ to improve prison conditions for mistreated inmates. The LGBT reform movement has the major goal ”“ to prevent discrimination against lesbians and gays in our society, including discrimination in the workplace, problems with marriage equality and immigration issues. The members of the reform movements try to change the existing policies in order to make the life of people better. Animal rights movement protects the life of animals on our planet. As a rule, reform movements have positive consequences for all people on our planet as they try to explain others that violence is wrong and unethical, and that all people should be treated equally. Reform movements can help to make changes in social attitudes, as well as they can change the individuals’ world perception. For example, gay and lesbian rights movement can help “to replace shame with pride” (Kendall, 2012, p.609).



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