Feminist Thinkers

How does Simone De Beauvoir believe we become "women"

- Women are taught and socialised into becoming women

What is Simone's idea of "otherness"

Men are the "norm" and women are the "other" this means that women are often seen as inferior to Men.

What did Simone say on motherhood?

She compared motherhood to slavery, forced to focus on motherhood and femininity instead of politics

What did she say about "woman's nature"

It is a further example of oppression

What are her views on a socialist revolution?

Not sufficient to bring liberation for women

What did Charlotte Perkins Gilman say women need to gain independence?

Economic independence

What type of feminism is Gilman associated with?

Socialist feminism

What are women reliant on to please their Husband according to Gilman?

- Sexual assets in return for financial support.

What is the purpose of economic independence?

Bring freedom for women and make them equal to men.

What are Gilman's views on societal roles?

We are forced to conform to a domestic role from childhood.

What are Kate Millett's views on the family?

- The family is the tool of patriarchy

What does socialisation achieve according to Millett?

- Gives men power and denies women power

What is female oppression according to Millett?

- political and cultural

What is the key to true sexual revolution according to Millett?

- the breakdown of the traditional family

What are her views on marriage?

- Exchange of a women's domestic and sexual service in order for financial support
- calls for an end to monogamous marriage- called for a sexual revolution

How are patriarchal expectations reinforced ?

- Through how women are presented in literature, the media and schools
- Degrades Women.

How does Millett criticise literature

- Women are never their own agents
- They are silenced by the freedom of men to possess them sexually

What are Sheila Rowbothom views on capitalism/economy

- Women are oppressed economically and culturally
- Capitalism and Sexism are closely linked
- Sexism pre dates capitalism

What feminist perspective is Sheila?

- Marxist- Feminist Perspective

How can women's liberation be achieved?

"A revolution within a revolution"
- Radical change needed in "cultural conditioning" of humanity regarding homes, laws, the work place and child bearing.

Who does capitalism oppress?

- proletariat and women.

What are the effects of Women's domestic role?

- Allows for the reproduction of men's labour

What did Bell Hooks reinforce the importance of?

- The need for diversity within the feminist movement as mainstream feminism often excluded concerns of women of colour
- If they supported feminism- had to ignore racial aspect of the movement
- Supported civil rights movement- Had to ignore effects of the patriarchy

What did Hook argue happens from a very young age?

- Being forced into boxes/characteristics that are expected of them
- Societal expectations