18.1e Key Themes

Question 1

Human nature

Answer 1

A majority of feminists believe differences between men and women are minimal so gender equality must be the goal.

A minority of difference feminists believe the biological/psychological differences are significant - so women should pursue a separate course, apart from men.

Question 2

Human nature debate

Answer 2

Whether there are significant innate differences between men and women is a continuing debate, which divides both feminists and non-feminists.

Still, most feminists believe gender is a social construct, which must be addressed and can be removed to liberate women from traditional roles.

Question 3

The state

Answer 3

Liberals believe it has a key role in promoting and legislating for gender equality, though radical feminists argue this is insufficient alone in overthrowing patriarchy.

Marxist feminists see it as an instrument of class rule and postmodern thinkers, like bell hooks, see the modern state as a legacy of white imperialist rule.

Question 4

The state debate

Answer 4

Most feminists see the state as a potential force for good, in taking more positive action to tackle gender inequality and continuing sexual abuse of women across the world.

Radical feminists would go much further than liberal feminists in preventing oppression and socialist feminists see it as part of an exploitative capitalist system.

Question 5

Society

Answer 5

All feminists argue women are treated unequally in society.

Liberal feminists focus on the public sphere, whilst radical feminists focus on the private sphere.

Post-modern feminists now see society as more complex than gender divisions.

Difference feminists see a separate course for women in society, free from male dominance and power, whilst egalitarian feminists want to see gender divisions removed at home and in wider society.

Question 6

Economy

Answer 6

Early socialist feminists see this as the main cause of female oppression as women are particularly exploited under capitalism.

Modern socialists believe the economy and society work together, with patriarchal power a key factor too.

All feminists want to see all women as economically independent and to see unjustifiable material inequalities end, though often disagree about how this can be best achieved from more reformist liberal views to more revolutionary socialist perspectives.