Society + economy

Patriarchy

vast majority of power within economic, political, religious, educational and social institutions was held by men, overlooking women

liberal feminists on patriarchy

reform through political, social, cultural change

radical and socialist feminists on patriarchy

more confrontational approach, some even encourage women to live completely separately from men

equality feminism

desire for society in which men and women have complete parity, any inequalities that remain will give the upperhand to men

most liberals and radical believe in equal rights society but difference on how to obtain

difference feminism

argues men and women are different and this should be accepted

society benefits more from nurturing these differences than for women to act like men (different but equal to men or women are better)

society led by women would be more harmonious and peaceful

intersectionality

understanding that all members of society are complex individuals, with multiple identities —> not possible to address the needs of women bc it will vary according to social class, race, religion, ethnicity etc.

face multiple sources of oppression arise from capitalist forces, patriarchy and racial attitudes

bell hooks

broadened the scope of feminism

socialist feminists on the economy

not just that women had been denied equality of opportunity from the market economy, capitalism is the root cause of female oppression

influenced from Engels —> pre-capitalist world women’s work was equally as vital as men’s, capitalist mindset is what led to women being seen as property of men, treated as a reserve army of labour (low wages bc easily replaceable)

sheila: end to capitalism would benefit women more than men