Simone de Beauvoir (1908-86)

Second Wave: Liberal/socialist Feminist

Key text: The Second Sex (1949), Questions Féministes (1977 journal)

Human Nature

-Biology only indicated difference not which gender would be perceived as better. Factors considered intnetionally favoured men

-”one is not born, but rather becomes a woman

-biology doesn’t justify hierarchy

-Gender differences have been created by men

State

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

Society

-No rational justifications for men’s superior position

-women need to cease being ‘the other’ in society

-women similar to slaves in that they were confined to a lower rank in society

-women would be naturally pit against men in their struggle for equality but men would eventually come around

-expectations placed on all people prevents them from attaining self-realisation and true freedom.

-women united with oppressors on other issues such as class rather than being a woman

-Society acts as a confirmation in the minds of men that they are superior to women

The Economy

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

-women entitled to economic independence and intellectual pursuits