Women’s studies

Terms & Vocab

Liberal Feminism

belief that the current system of society is viable and can be molded/changed to expand the role of women in society further

Radical feminisM

belief that the current

system of society is corrupt and must be

completely changed/transformed

(break the systems)

Marxist Feminist

uses

socio-economic theories to

explain women’s conditions

Socialist Feminist

analyze

class systems alongside

radical feminist ideas

Multiracial feminism

gender is

constructed by a range of interlocking

inequalities that work together to shape

experience

Postmodern feminism

reality is created

based on various social systems and within

constraints (language constructs reality)

Patriarchy

a system of society or government in

which men hold the power and women are largely

excluded from it

Matriarchy

a system of society or government in

which women hold the power and men are largely

excluded from it

Misogyny

dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained

prejudice against women

Suffrage

the right to vote in political elections

Objectification

seeing the body as

an object and separate from its

context

Biological determinism

the assumption

that a person’s biology or genetic makeup,

rather than culture or society, determines a

person’s identity

Disciplinary body practices

routines/behaviors that involve social control (time, money, effort) and imbue

meaning on these practices