Difference feminism Flashcards
Define Difference Feminism
All the types of feminism we have looked at so far assume that women share a similar situation and a similar experience of oppression. By contrast ‘Difference Feminists’ argue that we cannot see women as sharing the same experiences of patriarchy.
What is the view of Difference Feminism on other forms of Feminism?
Difference feminists argue that the other types of feminism focus on a very white, Westernised notion of gender. Difference feminists therefore disagree with essentialism (seeing all women as essentially sharing the same experiences), for example women in developing countries faced by famine and poverty have very different concerns to Western women
What is the Difference Feminist view of different groups in society and their experience in life?
Different groups in society have very different experiences of the family and of patriarchy within it. A working-class woman experiences patriarchy differently than an upper-class woman. Lesbian experiences of family are very different than heterosexual families – often having more equal distribution of housework for example (Dunne). Black feminists see the family as a place of support and resistance from a racist society. Some Asian families are much more traditionally patriarchal than western families
What was Difference Feminism first known as?
Black Feminism.
Originally known as Black Feminism as many black women rejected the notion of sisterhood put forward by white women. If all women were sisters, why did black women have to give up their seats for white women on American busses? why were they their cleaners and housekeepers? Why were their children sent to different schools? This was later expanded to address all issues of difference such as class, ethnicity, age, disability, sexuality. Hence the name difference feminism.
What is Bell Hooks’ view on Difference Feminism?
Date
Feminism is guilty of ‘false universality’. The idea that there is a ‘unified’ form of gender oppression that is experienced equally by all women is problematic.
1977
What is Cheshire Calhoun’s view on Difference Feminism?
Influenced by postmodernism and examines family diversity from a lesbian perspective. It is not family life itself that leads to the exploitation of women; rather, it is family life within patriarchal, heterosexual marriages that is the problem. Lesbian marriage and mothering can avoid the exploitative relationships typical of heterosexual marriage. Anxiety among heterosexuals about gays and lesbians has in fact been caused by anxiety about the state of the heterosexual nuclear family. Heterosexuals have tried to attribute their problems to corrupting outsiders or outlaws: ie gays and lesbians.
According to Difference Feminism how can women’s position in society be improved?
Three answers
Challenge the view that the nuclear family is the major form of family and celebrate diversity
Understand the role slavery and racial prejudice play in family life.
Celebrate diverse family structures and equality of all forms.
