politics - feminism

who are the feminist key thinkers

Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Simone de Beauvoir, Kate Millett, Shelia Rowbotham

what are the main principles of Charlotte Perkins Gilman

-biological differences between men and women are irrelevant

-society has always assigned inferior roles to women. In modern society this no longer has any justification

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

what are the main principles of Simone de Beauvoir

-Gender difference are created by men in society. They are not natural

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

-the expectations placed on all people by the societies in which they live limited them. people need to be free to attain self-realisation and true freedom

-men’s domination of economic life restricts the life choices open to women

what are the main principles of Kate Millet

-the only major differences between men and women are biological. there is no evidence that certain characteristics are male and others female

-the state is merely the agent of patriarchy. it is part of the problem, not part of the solution

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

-support of socialist economic but was no fundamental to her feminism

what were bell hooks main principles

-women have multiple identities and therefore experience multiple forms of oppression

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

-society is full of complex relationships between different minorities. in order to resolve social conflict, love between different minority cultures must be established

-women living in poverty have problems that middle class woman do not face. the liberation of the poor is an economic as well as social issue

what are the main principles of Sheila Rowbotham

-women’s consciousness pf the world is created by men

-the state is the servant of capitalism

-the nature of society is economically determined. society reflects the dominant positions of both capitalists and men in general

-Marxist perspective. women are a low paid reserve army of labour

how do feminists define sex and gender (human nature)

-Defined sex as biological and gender as the balance of qualities within a person that were considered feminine or masculine

what is responsible for constructing gender identity

-feminists argue that it was nurture and society norms that are responsible for constructing someone’s gender identity

-those who are biologically female should be given the same upbringing, choices, and opportunities given to those who were biologically male. this would blur the differences between the two groups

how do sex characteristics harm women

-feminists point out that holding out characteristics as male or female, badly serves women as it has been used to claim that the right roles for women are as wives and mothers but men belong in the public and political sphere

-a person’s sex should not make a difference as to the opportunities available to them

what are liberal feminist views on sex and gender

-physical differences between men and women did not indicate any deeper differences than sex

-defend the right for women to make traditional choices about how to live their lives. if a woman wants to be a housewife/mother it is a private matter not for society

what are radical feminist views on sex and gender

-liberals have underestimated the depth of problems caused by sex/gender divide (Millett)

-women need to reject inferior, submissive roles in public and private

what are socialist feminists views on sex and gender

-problems caused by sex/gender divide are part of discrimination caused by capitalism

-childcare and housekeeping are unpaid and these should be paid

what are cultural feminists views on sex and gender

-men and women have different inclinations

-sex and gender have been artificially connected and roles preformed by women are seen as less important

what are the differences between the public and private sphere

-public sphere is the domain of political, economic and legal activity within a state

-the private sphere is the home and the family

what are liberal feminist views on person is political (human nature)

-main aim for liberal feminists is for women to enjoy equality with men in the public sphere through legal reform

-liberal feminists do not concern themselves with what happens in private sphere, they believe women should make their own decisions about how they conduct their lives

what are radical feminist views on person is political (human nature)

-radical feminists argue that the way women behave at home has an impact on their lives in the public sphere

what are socialist feminists views on person is political (human nature

-socialist feminists argue that the unpaid housework preformed by women allows a capitalist state.

-it allows men to go to work and work longer hours while the home is being looked after

what is meant by patriarchy (society)

-patriarchal societies have certain features

-men hold positions of authority in politics and business, senior men favour other men when making appointments and promotions, men run media outlets which reinforces patriarchal norms, men design academic curriculums that neglect women’s history and most scientific research is carried out by men

-liberal feminists seek to reform patriarchal societies through political, social and cultural change

-radical and socialist feminists take a more conformational approach and attack patriarchal values

what is meant by equality and difference feminism

-view of equality feminists is that where inequalities have existed in the past they have worked to the advantage of men and if they remain they will continue to do this

-difference feminism take the approach that men and women are different and this should be accepted. different but equal

what is meant by intersectionality

-all members of a society are complex individuals with multiple identities. not possible to address the needs of women because the needs of each woman will vary dependent on social class, race ethnicity, religion and gender identity

-bell hooks

what were the effects of intersectionality

-people can face multiple sources of oppression including from capitalism, patriarchy and racism

-led to more scrutiny of the specific needs of women from minority groups. it encouraged women from all parts of society to campaign on issues important to them. in doing this, intersectionality broadens the scope of feminism

feminist views on the economy

-traditionally: women earned less than men and the positions had less. many of these forms of economic discrimination continue to exist and feminists have campaigned against them

-campaign for an end to the gender pay gap women being promoted to the highest levels in organisations, no jobs considered off limits for women

socialist feminists view of the economy

-socialist feminists see capitalism as the root of female oppression

-within capitalist economies, women are treated as a reserve source of labour, employed when male workers are in short supply which enables employers to keep wages low because their current workforce is easily replaceable.

-once the number of men available to work become sufficient, the women would be replaced by male workers

-socialist feminists claimed that an end to capitalism would benefit women more than men

what is meant by disappointment with the patriarchy (state)

-women have been badly served by government structures and policies

liberal feminists views on disappointment with the patriarchy (state)

-liberal feminists have campaigned for changes in law to achieve greater equality whereas radical and Marxist feminists advocate for whole sale change

-liberal feminists feel that the state needs to do more than extend equality of opportunity to women

radical feminists views on disappointment with the patriarchy (state)

-radicals argue patriarchy is so ingrained into fabric of state it can only be removed if government is dismantled

-radicals believe that liberals need to be bolder in their approach

socialist feminists views on disappointment with the patriarchy (state)

-socialists believe that as long as the state exists, genuine freedom will be denied to most citizens. Marxist feminists have sought a revolution that will overthrow the state.