Feminism - thinkers and theory

Feminism

An ideology that argues society and its institutions often operate in the interests of men rather than women and seeks the liberation of women from oppression.

Goal of Feminism

Liberation of women from disadvantage, discrimination and oppression.

Public Sphere

Areas of life outside the home including politics, employment and public institutions.

Private Sphere

Areas of life within the home including family relationships and domestic life.

The Personal is Political

The idea that power exists within private relationships as well as public institutions.

Radical Feminist View of Public and Private Sphere

The family is political because it reinforces patriarchy and male dominance.

Liberal Feminist View of Public and Private Sphere

Private relationships should remain largely personal; feminism should focus on equality in the public sphere.

Patriarchy

A system in which society is organised in the interests of men and women are disadvantaged.

Radical Feminist View of Patriarchy

Patriarchy is the primary source of women's oppression.

Socialist Feminist View of Patriarchy

Patriarchy works alongside capitalism to oppress women.

Postmodern Feminist View of Patriarchy

Patriarchy affects women differently depending on race, class and identity.

Sex

Biological differences between men and women.

Gender

Socially constructed expectations associated with masculinity and femininity.

Feminist View of Gender

Gender is socially constructed and should not be determined by biological sex.

Biology is Destiny

The belief that biological differences should determine social roles.

Feminist Criticism of Biology is Destiny

Biological differences do not justify unequal social roles.

Equality Feminism

The belief that women should enjoy equal rights, opportunities and treatment to men.

Difference Feminism

The belief that women possess distinct qualities which should be valued rather than judged against male standards.

Liberal Feminist View of Equality

Women should enjoy equal legal and political rights.

Socialist Feminist View of Equality

Political equality is meaningless without economic equality.

Radical Feminist View of Equality

Equality must exist in both public and private spheres.

Difference Feminist Criticism of Equality Feminism

Equality feminism often assumes male characteristics are the standard.

Intersectionality

The idea that oppression is influenced by race, class, sexuality and gender.

Purpose of Intersectionality

To explain why different women experience oppression differently.

Liberal Feminism

Believes gender inequality can be reduced through legal and political reform.

Radical Feminism

Believes patriarchy is the main source of women's oppression and must be dismantled.

Socialist Feminism

Believes capitalism and patriarchy work together to oppress women.

Postmodern Feminism

Rejects universal explanations of women's oppression and emphasises diversity of experience.

Liberal Feminism and the State

The state can be reformed to promote equality.

Radical Feminism and the State

The state reflects patriarchal interests.

Socialist Feminism and the State

The state supports capitalist and patriarchal structures.

Postmodern Feminism and the State

The state may privilege some groups whilst marginalising others.

Liberal Feminism and Society

Society can gradually improve through reform.

Radical Feminism and Society

Society is fundamentally patriarchal.

Socialist Feminism and Society

Society is shaped by both patriarchy and capitalism.

Postmodern Feminism and Society

Women experience society differently depending on identity.

Liberal Feminism and the Economy

The economy is not inherently oppressive but should provide equal opportunities.

Socialist Feminism and the Economy

Capitalism contributes significantly to women's oppression.

Radical Feminism and the Economy

Economic inequality is secondary to patriarchy.

Postmodern Feminism and the Economy

Economic oppression varies according to individual circumstances.

Simone de Beauvoir

Argued gender is socially constructed and women become "the Other".

Simone de Beauvoir Quote

"One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman."

Simone de Beauvoir - Otherness

Men are treated as the norm whilst women are viewed as different and inferior.

Kate Millett

Radical feminist who argued patriarchy is the primary source of women's oppression.

Kate Millett - Sexual Politics

Relationships between men and women are political because they involve power and domination.

Kate Millett - Family

The family acts as a key institution of patriarchy.

Kate Millett Quote

"Male shall dominate female."

Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Socialist feminist who argued women require economic independence to achieve freedom.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman - Economic Dependence

Women's oppression is reinforced through financial reliance on men.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman Quote

"To be free, women need economic independence."

Sheila Rowbotham

Socialist feminist who argued capitalism and patriarchy work together to oppress women.

Sheila Rowbotham - Domestic Labour

Women's unpaid labour supports both men and capitalism.

Sheila Rowbotham - Marriage

Traditional marriage reinforces dependence and inequality.

Bell Hooks

Intersectional feminist who argued feminism must address race, class and gender simultaneously.

Bell Hooks - Intersectionality

Women's experiences differ according to race, class and identity.

Bell Hooks - Criticism of Mainstream Feminism

Feminism often focused too heavily on white middle-class women.

Who is a Liberal Feminist?

Wollstonecraft, Friedan.

Who is a Radical Feminist?

Millett, Firestone.

Who is a Socialist Feminist?

Gilman, Rowbotham.

Who is an Intersectional Feminist?

Bell Hooks.

Who is associated with Gender as a Social Construct?

Simone de Beauvoir.

Who is associated with Patriarchy?

Kate Millett.

Who is associated with Economic Dependence?

Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

Who is associated with Capitalism and Patriarchy?

Sheila Rowbotham.

Who is associated with Intersectionality?

Bell Hooks.

Who is associated with Otherness?

Simone de Beauvoir.

Who is associated with Sexual Politics?

Kate Millett.

Who is associated with Domestic Labour?

Sheila Rowbotham.

Who is associated with Economic Independence?

Charlotte Perkins Gilman.