Week 9: Gender and Feminism in Europe

What are the core questions regarding gender and sexuality in Western Europe?

Why is Western Europe comparatively progressive on gender and sexuality? How do we explain variation within Europe? How are gender and sexuality socially constructed and politically used?

What is the main goal of the First Wave of Feminism in Europe?

The main goal was suffrage and entrance into public life.

Which country led the First Wave of Feminism?

The United Kingdom, led by the Suffragettes.

What significant legal changes occurred in Germany during the Second Wave of Feminism?

The 1977 Equal Rights Act allowed women to work without their husband's permission, and marital rape was banned in 1997.

What was a major focus of the Second Wave of Feminism?

Economic and social rights, including employment, financial autonomy, reproductive rights, and anti-harassment.

What distinguishes the Third Wave of Feminism?

It emphasizes gender fluidity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, intersectionality, and challenges to heteronormativity.

What is the Nordic Model in relation to sex work?

It criminalizes buyers of sex to prevent exploitation.

What is the average EU labor participation rate for women compared to men?

Women: 67%, Men: 79%.

What role do institutions play in Europe's progress on gender and sexuality?

Legislatures, social democratic parties, and EU institutions have passed major anti-discrimination laws.

How did capitalism affect women's opportunities in Western Europe?

Western capitalism provided opportunities for women to earn independently.

What was the significance of the Amsterdam Treaty Article 13?

It established the first binding EU anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation.

What was the impact of the 1984 Squarcialupi Report?

It stated that sexual orientation discrimination violates free movement within the EU.

What challenges do contemporary LGBTQ+ rights face in Europe?

Populist and religious backlash framing LGBTQ+ rights as foreign impositions and resistance to EU compliance.

What is the significance of the #MeToo movement in the context of feminism?

It represents a major cultural shift emphasizing the need for intersectional and inclusive feminist activism.

What does the term 'intersectionality' refer to in the context of feminism?

It refers to the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, which create overlapping systems of discrimination.

What historical event marked the beginning of the First Wave of Feminism?

The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848.

What was a key achievement of the Second Wave of Feminism in France?

The legalization of abortion in 1975 and the establishment of marital rape laws in the 1980s.

What does the term 'femicide' refer to?

The intentional killing of women because of their gender.

What is the significance of the term 'catalytic converter' in the context of LGBTQ+ rights?

It refers to how early adopters of rights set norms that influence broader societal acceptance.

What does the term 'TERF' stand for?

Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist, referring to feminists who exclude transgender women from their advocacy.

What is the main critique of the framework surrounding LGBT rights in Europe?

It often centers on the experiences of white gay men while excluding trans, lesbian, and racialized perspectives.

How did communism affect women's work in Eastern Europe?

Communism encouraged women to work but did not challenge patriarchal structures.

What is the significance of the feminist activism resurgence since 2008?

It is tied to austerity measures, Occupy movements, and digital activism, calling for intersectionality in social movements.