Untitled Flashcards Set

Definition of women’s and gender studies- academic field that focuses on the study of women, gender, and feminism, examines all factors contribute construction gender roles and identities.

Gender Roles- expectations, behaviors and roles society considers appropriate men, and women to follow. Roles dictate how they should, act, think

Gender Formation- process individuals and society construct and understand gender roles

Chapter 3

Gender Schematic- A framework in which individuals categorize themselves and others based on a societal gender based classification system, often leading to rigid perceptions of gender roles from a young age.

Patriarchal Bargain-A strategic compliance by some women with patriarchy's norms in exchange for personal benefits or power, while reinforcing the oppressive system. Exchange power accepts gender rules and norms that disadvantage women.

Hegemonic Masculinity-top tier of what society defines to be a man, dominant or "ideal" way that men are expected to behave in society. It represents the most respected and admired qualities associated with being a man, such as strength, toughness, and leadership.

Hegemonic Femininity-The dominant form of femininity that is nurturing, and supportive of male interests, which reinforces traditional gender roles and relations of power. Hold societal relations between genders. Uphold gender maintain traditional societal relations with gender

Patriarchal Bargain- decision women accept gender rules disadvantage in exchange power from system. Exchange of powers accepting rules disadvantage women in general A strategic compliance by some women with patriarchy's norms in exchange for personal benefits or power, while reinforcing the oppressive system that disadvantages women overall.

Double Bind- NO win situation regarding femininity difficult to win regardless action.

TO be feminine limits respect power, gender nonconforming open themselves discrimination.

Work and Motherhood Double Bind

A situation where working mothers are judged as neglectful if they prioritize work, while mothers who choose to stay home are often derided as "just housewives."

Sexual Double Bind

A circumstance in which women are criticized for being sexually active (as "sluts") or for being less sexually active (as "prudes" or "frigid").

Double Standards- Rules apply differently to different groups like aging men and women. Women are judged more negatively than men for having sex many partners.

Sexism- Gender prejudice based assumptions, stereotypes and not actual experiences or reasons based on sex. “Women can not do math”

Hostile Sexism- Overt gender prejudice based on belief men are superior carry higher status than women. Fear women use sexuality to gain power. Negative perceptions of feminisms too. Harassment and violent

Benevolent Sexism- A more subtle form of sexism that appears positive or affectionate, such as holding the belief that women deserve protection or are morally superior to men, but ultimately reinforces traditional gender roles. “man carrying box for you because it is too heavy” may appear to be affectionate but core involves belief women are not capable as men.

Misogyny- Hatred or dislikes women or feminine qualities but not women per se.

Homophobia- Hatred anything connected related homosexuality often involves devaluating non masculine qualities on men

Patriarchy- societal system male centered and male dominated

Coverture- term 1800’s when married women became one legal person with her husband. No female person who had a legal identity lost it when married. Under husbands rights and authority

Feminism/Feminist- movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression ensure gender equality.

Mythical Norm- concept helps us understand who are privileged, stereotypical figures we think of men and women generically to be white, thin, male, young, heterosexual and christian. refers to an idealized standard or stereotype in society that represents a dominant cultural image of what is considered "normal." This concept was popularized by feminist scholar Audre Lorde, who described the mythical norm as the set of characteristics associated with the most privileged members of society, often including being white, male, heterosexual, able-bodied, and middle or upper class.

Audre Lorde- black lesbian poet defined mythical norm and intersectionality in understanding oppression

Intersectionality- how various social identities—such as race, gender, class, sexuality, ability, and other factors—intersect and interact to shape individual experiences of oppression and privilege.

Oppression-network of restrictive forces limit freedom of individuals, birds in a cage each wire forms a network, lack of equal pay,double standards. Women are part of the oppressed class.

Like when women are told to smile more forcefully with a girly personality.

Marilyn Frye- defined oppression and service work, all women are oppressed simply because they are women, (birds cage) believed that men did not conspiracy to oppress women but they just get benefited from system unconsciously, and that both genders contribute to oppressive framework

Discrimination-prejudice giants individuals or groups based on their gender

(type of oppression) Service Work- special class of work all women are expected perform for men (3 forms)

Personal Service- Caretaking, nurture, cooking, often involved home

Sexual Service- being sexually available childbearing pleasing men by being attractive

Ego Service- encourage, support praise, validation and emotional support

Chapter 12: Feminist Theories and Practices

Liberal Feminist Theory-liberal as freedom and individual freedom, feminism seeks to free women and other genders from limitations based sex gender roles, emphasizes equality, individual rights, and believes in the need for systemic change. Reform system

Radical Feminist Theory- Believe that the oppression of women is universal and causes the most damage, that the relationship between women and men should be changed in order for women’s oppression to stop. Big difference between liberal feminism, disagree to reform system but change system make a new system.

Redstockings Manifesto- radical feminist group, blaming capitalism and patriarchy, liberation women needed for social change, women need to raise consciousness and activism.

Marxist Feminist Theory- women’s oppression rooted in their economic exploitation both domestic and wage labor, capitalism exploit both women and workers.

Socialist Feminism- Oppression in society based not only economic issues but also race, sexual orientation and class need be addressed advocates change wider than economic issues, healthcare, parental leave to support women’s role

Feminist Standpoint Theory-suggests that women’s experiences, particularly around issues like childbirth and domestic work, offer unique insights into society. This perspective argues that women see the world differently than men do, and their experiences can reveal important truths about how society works

Hegemonic Feminism- refers to a dominant form of feminism that predominantly represents the interests and experiences of white, middle-class women. It tends to focus on issues that primarily affect this demographic, often ignoring or marginalizing the experiences and oppressions faced by women of color, lower socioeconomic classes, and other marginalized groups.

US Intersectional Feminism- how factors such as race, gender, class, and sexual orientation are interconnected and can create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.understanding oppression requires considering the specific combinations of identities through which individuals experience it.

Transnational Feminism- form of feminism concerned with global forces and local struggles experienced by women and marginalized groups, particularly in the Global South

Postcolonial Feminism- Oppression of women and men in the global south. Its roots in a system created through colonialism now is capitalism, exploitation south continuous, how western influence ideologies shape lives of women and marginalized groups.

Postmodern Feminism- how ideas about gender and identity are not universal, definitions are influenced by society and can change.

Queer Theory- Study of how categories sexual orientation and gender identity are fluid and shaped by social influences, labels such as gay or straight can be restrictive, and many ways to identify each person’s uniqueness.

Judith Butler- contributed to both postmodern feminism theory and queer theory and introduced the concept of gender performativity.

Performativity- gender created by doing and not other way around. Gender is not a fixed identity but a set of actions and behaviors that individuals repeatedly perform based on societal expectation.

Masculinity- social and cultural behaviors expectations associated with being male.

Patriarchy- societal system male centered and male dominated.

Male Flight- tendency men to avoid situations when gender roles change or empower women, when something becomes more feminine or has more women,men tend to flee away from it. Like flight attendant or nursing.

Exculpatory Chauvinism-phenomenon in which negative characteristics described to men are offered as acceptable justification of men's dominance over women.

Hierarchy of Masculinity-refers to the social ranking that places certain types of masculinity above others. In this system, traditional or dominant forms of masculinity (often associated with strength, power, and aggression) are considered superior

Emasculation-experience of stripping someone of their masculine identity or qualities. This can happen through various means, such as ridicule, criticism, or social pressure that undermines a man's perceived masculinity.

Fragile Masculinity-The idea of the exaggerating avoidance of femininity for fear loss masculinity

Compensatory Masculinity-Acts taken to reassert masculinity in the face of a threat.