Feminism key thinkers summary

Charlotte Perkins Gilman human nature

biological differences between men and women are irrelevant, women can compete equally with men

Charlotte Perkins Gilman view of the state

no especially distinctive views

Charlotte Perkins Gilman view of society

society has always assigned inferior roles to women which has no justification in the modern world

Charlotte Perkins Gilman view of the economy

the domestic servitude of women allowed men to dominate the economic world

Simone de Beauvoir views on human nature

gender differences are a social construct made up by men

Simone de Beauvoir views on the state

state reinforces a culture that prevents women from expressing their true freedom and identity

Simone de Beauvoir views on society

expectations placed on women by society limits them so people need to be free to attain self realisation

Simone de Beauvoir views on the economy

male domination of economic life restricts the life choices open to women

Kate Millet views on human nature

the only major difference is biological and there is no evidence that certain characteristics are either male or female

Kate Millet views on the state

state is merely an agent of the patriarchy, part of the problem not the solution

Kate Millet views on society

modern society is completely characterised by the patriarchy which infests both the public and private spheres

Kate Millet views on the economy

supportive of socialist economics but this wasn’t fundamental to her feminism

bell hooks views on human nature

men and women alike have multiple identities and therefore experience multiple forms of oppression

bell hooks views on the state

state is dominated by white males and therefore reflects and reinforces their dominant position in society

bell hooks views on society

society is full of complex relationships between different minorities so love between different cultures needs to be established to solve social conflict

bell hooks views on the economy

women living in poverty have problems that middle class women do not

Shelia Rowbotham views on

women’s consciousness of the world is created by men

Shelia Rowbotham views on the state

the state is a servant of capitalism

Shelia Rowbotham views on society

the nature of society is economically determined, society reflects the dominant position of both capitalists and men

Shelia Rowbotham views on the economy

has a marxist perspective, women are a low paid reserve army of labour