5.5 Feminism branches

Question 1

2

Describe first-wave feminism (1800s-1940s)

Answer 1

• Liberal feminism
• Focussed on legal and political equality, especially the franchise

Question 1

2

Describe second-wave feminism (1960s-80s)

Answer 1

• Focused on the patriarchy and expected roles of women
• Divergence between liberal, socalist and radical feminism

Question 2

2

Describe third-wave feminism (1990s)

Answer 2

• Liberal feminism at heart of wave
• Aimed to end partriarchal structures that promoted discrimination

Question 3

3

Describe post-modern feminism (2010s-)

Answer 3

• Built on third-wave
• Focused on intersectionality, transfeminism, etc
• bell hooks influential in shaping ideas

Question 4

6

Describe the main ideas of liberal feminism

Answer 4

• Reformist - gender stereotypes can be eliminated by democratic pressure
• Focus on public over private sphere
• Foundational equality and equality of opportunity in public sphere - legal, economic, political rights
• Women are equally rational and so deserve gender equality
• individualism
• patriarchy not entrenched and is modern phenomeneon

Question 5

6

Describe the main ideas socialist feminism

Answer 5

• Capitalism stems gender inequality and patriarchy
• Capitalism creates environment were women are expected to undertake domestic work
• Economic liberation necessary for gender equality
• Social constructs like marriage ensure female dependence on men
• Solidarity between women needed to progress feminism
• Split between ‘reformist socialist feminism’ and ‘revolutionary socialist feminism’

Question 6

2

Describe the main ideas of reformist socialist feminism

Answer 6

• Oppose revolution - gradual socialist approach
• e.g. Gilman

Question 7

2

Describe the main ideas of revolutionary socialist feminism

Answer 7

• Women were reserve army of labour - to be cast off when no longer needed
• e.g. Rowbotham

Question 8

6

Describe the main ideas of radical feminism

Answer 8

• Opposed ineffective liberal thinking in 2nd wave
• Focus on both public and private sphere
• Society entirely patriarchal - source of inequality
• Public man/private woman paradigm
• Patriarchy is deeply entrenched and can not be overcome by reform
• Some radical feminists are difference feminists

Question 9

3

Describe the public man/private woman paradigm

Answer 9

• Men dominated public sphere - politics, education, arts, literature and workplace
• Women play supportive role in private sphere - domestic matters, family, chld-rearing and caring
• Created by patriarchy

Question 10

4

Describe the emergence of postmodern feminism

Answer 10

• Emerged in 1980s/90s
• Criticised liberal/socialist/radical feminists for examining feminism through white, middle-class framework
• Dominates 4th wave
• Shaped by new phenomena e.g. transfeminism

Question 11

4

Describe the main ideas of postmodern feminism

Answer 11

• patriarchy applies differently to women of different characteristics
• intersectionality
• patriarchy continues to adapt to find new ways to oppress women
• no fixed definition of a ‘woman’ - instead defined by individuals

Question 12

4

What did liberal feminists campaign for?

Answer 12

• End to discrimination and inequality in workplace due to belief in gender equality
• end to outdated cultural attitudes via education
• opposed to sexist language
• changes in law to faciliate legal equality in all public spheres of society