3. Feminism Flashcards
What is feminism
The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities
What are some key issues for feminism
Equal rights, Rights to their own body, Equal Pay
Also allowing men to feel safe enough to be vulnerable = women can be strong
What is a feminist belief
sexual discrimination is still a widespread problem and women are still striving to achieve financial, educational, domestic and legal equality to men
What are the four basic tenants of Sociological feminism
Inequality between men and women
Conflict between men and women
Gender inequalities are socially constructs
Importance of patriarchy in explaining inequality
What is a patriarchy
Men dominating society
Feminism means change, not abolition of the way society exists
Why are domestic violence rates down
The victim is afraid of reporting their assaulter in fear of more abuse
More often than not, it is the man abusing the women
What is first wave feminism
1850s+
Higher education for women available
Access to more jobs- medicine
Married women property rights
Improvement in divorced and separated women’s child custody
What is second wave feminism
1960/70s
Female group discussed women’s rights
Oppressed and exploited by patriarchal society
Annual conference held - Oxford 1970
Equal Pay and opportunities
Free contraception and abortion
24hr childcare
What two legislations were introduced in the 1970s
Equal Pay Act 1970
Sex Discrimination Act 1975
What is third wave feminism
1990s+
Critic of politics, experiences were over generalised of middle class, Heterosexual viewpoints
Ignored women of colour, poor, LGBTQ+, non-western women
What were Slyvia Waltby’s 6 Structures of feminism
Paid work
Household work
Culture
Sexuality
Violence
The state
What does she mean by Paid work
Men are always (16-60+) paid more than women
What does she mean by Household work
Women spend more time on household chores
Men spend more time on specifics such as outside garden care and DIY
What does she mean by Culture
Women = sexualised on magazine covers
Men = Professional, handsome, smart
What does she mean by Sexuality
A man sleeping around is celebrated
A woman sleeping around is shunned by society - a hoe, whore, slut
What does she mean by violence
Women are more likely to be killed by their partners, on average
Known as gender based violence
What does she mean by the State
Female MPs are fewer
In 2015, it wasn’t even 30% of parliament
What do liberal feminists believe
equality will happen eventually
steady improvement in female position
change in social attitudes, laws, education
Some contemporary liberal feminism issues
Gender pay gap- illegal in the UK
transparency to address gap
promote flexible work arrangements
support women’s career progression
What is liberal feminism
the desire to pursue freedom without completely uprooting existing institutions, using educational change to bring about equality
Where did Liberal Feminism come from
Second wave, 1960s
Betty Friedan- The feminine mystique
NOW- national organisation of women
campaign for maternity leave, child care
Rights to female body
Housewife Syndrome
What do radical feminists believe
patriarchal oppression and exploitation of women is everywhere in society
women are socialised into accepting their place in society
men aggressively exercise dominance
men benefit from inequality
Contemporary Radical feminism issues
violence is deep rooted in society
toxic masculinity downplays male aggressions- ‘Reclaim the Night’
dismantle institutions that uphold patriarchy
liberation requires fundamental shift in society to end patriarchal views
What is Radical Feminism
female independence from men, at any level to bring about change
men consciously exploiting women
