Feminism 4 Ideas: Human Nature, State, Society, Economy

Feminist agreement on human nature

• Sex and gender are primary concerns

• Humans are generally androgynous

• Gender is cultural

• Women should not be treated differently due to their sex

Liberal Feminist Human Nature

• Human nature is similar between men and women

• We are all rational, self-interested, independent and desire autonomy

• All individuals are of equal moral worth

Socialist Feminist Human Nature

• Gender is a creation of both capitalism and the patriarchy to maintain subordination of women

Radical Feminist Human Nature

• Gender roles and traits are socially constructed and enforced to maintain male dominance through patriarchy

Postmodern Feminist Human Nature

• Gender is not the sole factor for shaping identity, it intersects with class and race to generate diverse experiences

Feminist agreement on society

• Society is created in a way that puts women as subordinate to men

• Society results in injustices and institutionalised disadvantages

Liberal Feminist Society

• Women face discrimination because society fails to recognise their full humanity and rationality

• By allowing women a significant role in society and legality, bias and discrimination can be removed

Radical Feminist Society

• Patriarchy permeates society

• Women are made ‘other’

• Art, culture, education and family dynamics are all corrupted by patriarchy

Socialist Feminist Society

• Capitalism and patriarchy work together in society to enforce gender roles

Postmodern Feminist Society

• Patriarchy is the primary oppressive system

• Dismantling the patriarchy will liberate women and eradicate societal alienation

Feminist agreement on economy

• Women are economically subordinate to men

• Women are pushed into ‘feminine’ jobs, resulting in lower wages

• Women need economic freedom

Differences on Economy generally

• bell hooks looks at capitalism, imperialism and white supremecy

• De Beaviour emphasises patriarchy; socialist economy parity

• Gilman wants equal work opportunities

Feminist agreements on state

• All acknowledge the state’s potential to benefit women

Liberal Feminist State

• State fails to address discrimination

• Through legislation women can be enabled in education, economy and home life

• Affirmative action policies should be utilised by the state

Socialist feminist state

• Women are subject to male domination in the state through wealth

• Women need for justice

Radical feminist state

• The state is complicit in perpetuating patriarchy

• The state should pass legislation eg/. On porn as it is associated with male dominance and violence

• Women should have equal pay

Postmodern feminist state

• Identified the state as a key played in the web of oppressive systems

• State perpetuates injustice, exploitation and oppression