non core ideologies: feminism

When was the first wave of feminism and what type of feminism did it involve

1790s-1950s- liberal feminism

What values were the focus of first wave feminism

Classical liberal ideas about human nature and freedom of the individual- extending this to include women

Who was Mary Wollstonecraft (first wave feminism)

argued that that women were just as rational as men and should receive the same educational opportunities

Who was Harriet Taylor Mill (first wave feminism)

argued that women should have the same right to vote as men and play a role in lawmaking

When was the second wave of feminism and what did it involve

1960s-1980s- involved an acknowledgement of political/ legal equality and a push to bring equality into the public sphere

Who was Betty Freidan (second wave of feminism)

influenced liberal feminists, arguing for the state to reform society and economy allowing women equality within the public sphere of society

Who was Kate Millett and Germaine Greer (second wave of feminism)

influenced radical feminists, seeing the state as a part of the problem and aiming for radical changes to the public and private spheres of society

Who was Sheila Rowbotham(second wave of feminism)

influences socialist feminists, arguing that only under a revolution could the inequalities of both capitalism and female oppression be solved

What was Friedan’s “Problem that Has No Name.”

The widespread discontent with trying to fit with the expectations of womanhood. The idea highlights the lack of fulfilment from life as a housewife and carer, which causes frustration

When was the third wave of feminism and what type of feminism did it involve

1990s-emergence of postmodern feminism and transfeminism and intersectionality

Who was Sylvia Walby (third wave of feminism)

identified 6 overlapping patriarchal structures that promote discrimination that included how the state underrepresents women and how violence, work, household, culture and sexuality discriminated against women and reinforce gender stereotypes

When was the fourth wave of feminism and what type of feminism did it involve

2000s- increased intersectionality and larger focus on patriarchy in developing countries

What does sex refer to

biological differences between men and women. These have observable physical attributes (eg. anatomy, chromosomes and hormone prevalence). (remain the same regardless of time or culture)

What does gender refer to

used to explain the gender roles of men and women.

What do The majority of feminists argue about gender roles

gender roles are socially constructed and form gender stereotypes. Expectations differ across time and culture

How can the sex vs gender debate be applied to human nature

There may be a dispute between those who believe that both sex and gender are natural biological issues and those who reject the idea

How can the sex vs gender debate be applied to the state

Could be argued that the state has slowly played a role in passing laws outlawing gender discrimination and promoting more positive roles for women (eg. Representation of the people (equal franchise) act 1928, equal pay act 1970, the sex discrimination act 1975)

How can the sex vs gender debate be applied to society

The issue refers to the way feminists see patriarchal society as it exists currently and how they would like to change it

How can the sex vs gender debate be applied to the economy

As gender roles have become less clearly demonstrated than in the past, women’s role in the economy has expanded, and the aim is to continue this expansion into further equality

What is the patriarchy

Used in feminism to describe a social system supporting male domination and female subordination. Kate (Millett is credited with the first analysis of patriarchy but most feminists engage with the concept)

What do liberal feminists believe about the patriarchy

patriarchy can be reformed by the state (seen in the Western world through female emancipation; access to education; workplace equality; legalisation of abortion; changes in marriage and divorce law)

What do radical feminists believe about the patriarchy

focus on patriarchy in both public and private spheres and believe that patriarchy is too pervasive to be reformed- the change must be revolutionary.

What do socialist feminists believe about the Patriarchy

female consciousness is created by men as part of the capitalist machine, so it needs to be destroyed to destroy the patriarchy, preferably through revolution

What are Sylvia Walby’s the state areas through which patriarchal ideas dominate society

underrepresents women in power

What are Sylvia Walby’s Household area through which patriarchal ideas dominate society

society conditions women to believe that their natural role is mother/ homemaker

What are Sylvia Walby’s Violence area through which patriarchal ideas dominate society

¼ women in the UK will suffer domestic violence from men

What are Sylvia Walby’s Paid work area through which patriarchal ideas dominate society

women are often underpaid (gender pay gap). Women centric careers also tend to be linked to the gender stereotype of nurturing

What are Sylvia Walby’s Sexuality area through which patriarchal ideas dominate society

women are made to feel that their sexual feelings are wrong

What are Sylvia Walby’s Culture area through which patriarchal ideas dominate society

society reinforces roles of women (ie. seen as primary carer, and objectified). Feminists would argue that objectified and highly sexualised male fantasy versions of women are found in all media, pressuring women to look a certain way and often linked to anorexia among young women

How can the patriarchy be applied to human nature

Difference feminists argue that men are, by their very nature, predisposed to oppress women. (Greer argued that male respect for women is an affectation as they have a deep-seated loathing of women, which is expressed by the obscenities used to describe women's sexual organs). As such, they argue for a complete separation form men

How can the patriarchy be applied to the state

Perpetuates patriarchy by reinforcing patriarchal values. State institutions are dominated by men who legislate in their own interest

How can the patriarchy be applied to society

Radical feminists in particular want patriarchal society overthrown and believe that women will not be treated equally under any other conditions

How can the patriarchy be applied to the economy

Feminists argue that patriarchy is the reason that women have historically been restricted to the home and women’s jobs have traditionally been considered less important and thus less well paid than men’s

What is meant by “the personal is political”

Issues of discrimination in the private sphere- (ie. household division of labour, attitude towards women who want to work, morality associated with women’s sexuality and objectification of women.) These private issues are argued to be ways of keeping women in their subordinate place in society- a political move

How can “Personal is political” be applied to human nature

Feminists reject the view that women’s nature makes them more suited to domestic roles and are naturally less capable than men

How can “Personal is political” be applied to the state

The state perpetuates that artificial distinction between private and public oppression

How can “Personal is political” be applied to society

Feminist seek to change society by removing the distinction in patriarchal society to enable oppression in the private sphere to be removed

How can “Personal is political” be applied to the economy

Believe that women are restricted from entering the economy as equals to men because of misconceptions that their key role should be at home

What are equality feminists

Argue that the differences between genders have been socially constructed, and are therefore meaningless (no such things as male and female characteristics)- any character differences between men and women are a result of nurture not nature

What are difference feminists

(a minority of feminists, emerging in the 1980s) believe that women should capture their natural differences with men. While believing that women were men’s intellectual equal, also believed in gender-specific characteristics.

What do difference feminists believe about Equality feminists

they misunderstand these differences, leading to women attempting to replicate make behaviours and neglecting their own feminine natures

What did Carol Gilligan believe, as a difference feminist

stated that sex was one of the most important determinants of human behaviour, positing that women are naturally more nurturing and communal than men. Men and women experience and interpret the world in different ways.

What is essentialism

Biological differences between men and women lead to distinct differences in their fundamental nature- this is natural, not socially constructed- this is believed by difference feminists

What are cultural feminists

(a more extreme version of difference feminism-) challenges the dominance of men in society, asserting that women’s values are superior and should be promoted. They believe in a distinct ‘female essence’, which is caring and nurturing as opposed to aggressive and competitive men.

what do critics say about cultural feminists

argue that this is inverted sexism and if patriarchy cannot be defended, neither can matriarchy

Who inspired bell hooks on intersectionality

Kimberle Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality

What is intersectionality

challenged the notion that gender is the most important factor in understanding women’s lives. (Multiple identities of women meant that the singular notion of ‘sisterhood; gives way to a more communal concept of ‘solidarity’ according to hooks. This would allow women with different circumstances to form alliances.)

"5 black employees sued General Motors for wrongful dismissal based on discrimination. The district court viewed discrimination through the lens of race and gender and dismissed the case as General Motors continued to employ black men and white women, failing to recognise the overlapping identities that had resulted in black women being discriminated against. Therefore, individuals can be oppressed over multiple, overlapping areas such as gender, race, class, sexuality and disability."- what case is this

DeGraffenreid v General Motors case (1976)

How can intersectionality be applied to society

Has evolved in society- traditional feminism has ignored the role of all but white, middle class women in society and framed feminist in away that is only familiar to these women

How can intersectionality be applied to the economy

Feminism must embrace the position of women in developing-world economies which us much worse than women in the West enjoy

What is liberal feminism

Via democratic pressure, gender stereotypes can be eliminated- no need for revolutionary change in the way state, society and economy are organised. Focus on the public sphere (visible area if society where relationships are public, such as the workplace- conditions and equal pay, arguing that the private life of women us outside the remit of political analysis)

What is liberal feminism inspired by

the liberal values of individualism, foundational equality and equality of opportunity

What were the liberal feminist views surrounding individualism

Women (like all humans) should have the freedom they need to become autonomous individuals in society

What were the liberal feminist views surrounding equality of opportunity

Ensuring that women and men have equal chances in life (links to thinkers like Mary Wollstonecraft arguing for political equality believing that female emancipation would lead to gender equality and legal equality, particularly in relation to the economic sphere of property ownership)

What were the liberal feminist views surrounding foundational equality

All humans are of equal moral worth and value. In the eyes of the law, all humans, whatever their sex, are entitled to the same rights as each other (legal and political equality)

What were the liberal feminist views surrounding reformism

Society does not require fundamental or even radical change. As society progresses, inequalities will be rectified. This will happen by change sin the law, leading to changes in attitudes and the process of ‘role modelling’ (seeing women in non-traditional roles which challenge the inherent bias of society)

What do liberal feminists believe about the state

State allows for the patriarchy, but can be reformed to steer society towards equality. State should only interfere in the public realm

What do liberal feminists believe about society

Believe that women are discriminated against, not oppressed. Change in society can happen through legislation

What do liberal feminists believe about the economy

Women are limited to domestic roles, which is why men dominate the economy. Freedom can be found with reform

What is socialist feminism

Destroying capitalism (ie. a male dominated construct existing to exploit women), as economics leads to gender inequality and capitalism causes patriarchy

What do reformist socialist feminists believe

Viewed capitalism as oppression, with its exploitative qualities reinforced the patriarchy, with women lacking economic independence.

What is the reformist socialist feminist belief on marriage/ family

it is that a key area of women’s oppression is marriage and family. Removing women from the workforce makes them financially dependent on their husbands. Monogamy guaranteed the paternity of any children who would inherit property

What do revolutionary socialist feminists believe

Capitalism creates the patriarchy (Engels’ idea) by altering pre-existing societal structures, which mean that women were needed as unpaid helpers to enable men workers. Women were also a reserve army of labour (spare workforce), to be cast off when they were no longer needed

What did Juliet Mitchell argue

Even the destruction of capitalism may not be enough to end patriarchy. There are 4 social functions that women must be liberated from and reframe: (Their role in the workforce and production, Their childbearing role, Their socialisation of children, Their societal position as sex objects)

What do socialist feminists say about the state

The state works in the interests of capitalism, and therefore acts as a vessel for oppression. State should be overthrown

What do socialist feminists think of society

It is shaped by capitalism, which enforces patriarchy. Therefore society will be equal when a revolution occurs

What do socialist feminists believe about the economy

Capitalism creates women’s oppression as reserve labour and male relief. Capitalism is the main oppressor of women, not patriarchy

What is radical feminism

Destroying the entire system (state and society) to start again and pursue full equality, but overall lacks cohesion in beliefs. Belief that ‘the personal is political’ as patriarchy is prevalent in the private sphere of family life so opened private life to public scrutiny (challenging family as a social construct not a natural arrangement and the construct of marriage as a way of women losing their identity)

What was Millett’s solution to ending the false consciousness surrounding gender stereotypes

abolishing the nuclear family and replacing it with communal living and childbearing

What is the focus of Erin Pizzey’s form of radical feminism

Erin Pizzey’s analysis of the personal is the political focused on domestic violence in family life- solution was to set up the first women’s refuge in London in 1971, offering women and their children a refuge from domestic violence

What is the focus of Charlotte Bunch’s form of radical feminism

argued that heterosexual relationships were based in power and that lesbianism was a political choice.

What is the focus of Andrea Dworkin ’s form of radical feminism

argued that porn was symptomatic of men’s perception of women as sex objects- solution was that the nuclear family should be abolished and replaced by lesbian communities

What is the focus of Greer’s form of radical feminism

Argued that patriarchy had socialised women to view their sexual desires an unfeminine and be embarrassed by their bodies (a feeling that they must retain eternal youth)

what was Greer's solution

solution was sexual liberation and the abandoning of traditional marriage (preferring communal living and childbearing)

What is the focus of Shulamith Firestone’s form of radical feminism

Patriarchy has always existed as women have been enslaved by men- the solution was a society that would eliminate gender distinctions and embrace androgyny.

What were Shulamith Firestone’s views on childbirth

She regarded childbirth as barbaric and advocated for artificial insemination, arguing that when technology advances, men might receive implanted wombs and bear children

What do radical feminists believe about the state

Promotes the patriarchy, and therefore should take an active role in tackling public and private realms in a push for equality

What do radical feminists believe about society

Patriarchy is embedded in society (public and private). There is a want for society to be reshaped to ignore sex and gender

What do radical feminists believe about the economy

Personal and private lives ensure that men dominate the family, and therefore are more active and free in the economy, as women are second best

What is post feminism

(Late 1980s- early 1990s)Argued that most feminist goals have been achieved and that women should move on

what did post feminist Camille Paglia believe

criticised feminism for portraying women as victims and argued that women needed to take responsibility for their own life and sexual conduct

What has post feminism been criticised

Examines feminism solely through a white, middle class framework that ignores the complexity of other female experiences

What is postmodern feminism

Patriarchy continues to adapt and find new ways to oppress women. It argues that patriarchy appears in many different ways depending in a woman’s race, class or identity and therefore supports a wider understanding of experiences of women (intersectionality)

What is discussed in Richards and Baumgardner book Manifesta (2000)

Each generation will have to define what feminism means to them. They believe that the patriarchy is so fluid and dynamic, that new forms of oppression will arise to keep women subjugated.

What is transfeminism

Transfeminism argues that sex is socially constructed, but most feminists argue that sex is a biological fact. It is intersectional as it demonstrates how complicated defining sex and gender is

What are the UN stats surrounding rape and sexual assault

UN statistic states that ⅓ women will be raped or beaten in their lifetime (equating to 1 billion women)

What did Charlotte Perkins Gilman believe about human nature

Viewed collectivism and cooperation as female qualities. Humanist more than feminist, wishing parity between the sexes, biological differences are largely irrelevant.

What did Charlotte Perkins Gilman believe about society

Women have historically been assigned inferior roles in society. Women are socialised into thinking that they are naturally frailer and weaker than men. Societal pressure forced young girls to conform to motherhood, with gender-specific clothes and toys, thus she argued for gender-neutral clothes and toys.

What did Perkins Gilman want from society

She wished to reverse this false consciousness is women would no longer see themselves as naturally frailer and weaker than men, (advocated centralised nurseries and co-operative kitchens to give women freedom and autonomy)

What did Charlotte Perkins Gilman believe about the economy

Men dominate the economy because societal norms obligate women to a domestic role. Women were reliant on their sexual assets to gratify their husbands who in turn would support them financially (compares marriage with prostitution).

What is a key view of Simone de Beauvoir

Otherness- male domination meant that they were the first sex (the norm) and women were the second sex. Feeling of alienation and oppression

What is a key quote (that I really like) by Simone de Beauvoir

“Her ovaries condemn her to live forever on her knees”

What did Simone de Beauvoir believe about human nature.

Uses existentialism to argue that humans have no natural nature/ essence and men thus created a feminine myth through which to oppress women.

how does Simone de Beauvoir take a humanist approach

The fact that we are humans is infinitely more important than the peculiarities that distinguish us from other humans (humanist)- women and men were essentially the same

What did Simone de Beauvoir believe about the state

The state reinforces a male-dominated culture which limits women’s autonomy and freedom

What did Simone de Beauvoir believe about society

Societal norms restrain both men and women from achieving self-realisation and true freedom of expression. (She championed contraception as it allowed women to control their bodies and avoid endless childbearing. She also supported abortion, rejection of the family and monogamy, saying that this would allow women to compete with men in society)

how could de Beauvoir be described as an equality femininst?

Femininity is a social construct- “one is not born, but rather becomes a woman”

What did Simone de Beauvoir believe about the economy

Men dominate economic life which limits the life choices open to women. Consumptive materialism (society has become addicted to purchasing consumer goods) inherent with capitalism had weakened women’s position in society

What is Kate Millett’s key idea

“The personal was the political” (root of radical feminism)

What did Kate Millett believe about human nature

Women are oppressed by men (patriarchy) and should free themselves by engaging in lesbian relationships