feminism

Question 1

what is feminism?

Answer 1

the inequality between men and women in universal and the most significant form of inequality. it exists to rectify sexual inequalities.

Question 2

what are the five major concepts behind feminism?

Answer 2

1. patriarchy (dominance of men in society)
2. discrimination (unfair treatment of women)
3. gender stereotypes (negative generalisations / misconceptions about women)
4. economic dependency (women giving up work to look after household)
5. emotional work (expectation for women to do majority of emotional care for family, on top of job and housework –> “triple shift”)

Question 3

what are the four waves of feminism?

Answer 3

1. the first wave (1830s - 1900s) womens fight for equal contract and property rights
2. the second wave (1960s - 1980s) broadening the debate
3. the third wave (1980s - 2000s) micropolitics of gender inequality
4. the fourth wave (2010 onwards) global change

Question 4

what did the first wave of feminism focus on?

Answer 4

gaining political power and the right to vote in order to bring about change. political agenda concerned sexual, reproductive and economic matters.

Question 5

what did the second wave of feminism focus on?

Answer 5

focused on the workplace, sexuality, family and reproductive rights especially after WWII. this time is often dismissed as it can be perceived as offensive, outdated and obsessed with middle class white women’s problems.

Question 6

what did the third wave of feminism focus on?

Answer 6

the development of several different types of feminists came in (ego cultural, radical, liberal, academic, eco etc.). fight continued to abolish disparities in male and female pay and reproductive rights of women. work continued to end violence against women. wave was about acceptance and understanding of “feminism”.

Question 7

what did the fourth wave of feminism focus on?

Answer 7

tackling sexism globally using technology. creating online support networks and giving voices to women. some debate about whether there is a fourth wave.

Question 8

give four examples of types of feminism.

Answer 8

• radical feminism
• marxist feminism
• liberal feminism
• difference feminism

Question 9

what is radical feminism?

Answer 9

the idea that calls for radical reorganisation of society in which male supremacy is eliminated in social and economic contexts. also recognises that womens experiences are also affected by other factors like race, class and sexual orientation.

Question 10

what do radical feminists believe?

Answer 10

that the patriarchy is the main source of oppression for women. they argue that society is run by men and in the interests of men. some even believe that there is a biological element to women’s oppression as they are the birthgivers. this has contributed to their oppressed position in society.

Question 11

how do radical feminists want to initiate change?

Answer 11

they want to dismantle patriarchal ideas rather than making adjustments to the system. they don’t want to equalise the distribution of power. instead they want to eliminate the patriarchy by transforming society. they have a more militant approach.

Question 12

what are the key issues of radical feminists?

Answer 12

• reproductive rights, including freedom to decide about abortions, birth control etc.
• breaking down traditional gender roles in relationships
• understanding rape as an expression of patriarchy, not seeking of sex
• understanding prostitution as the oppression of women under the patriarchy
• critical of institutions (gvt, religion etc.) that are centred around patriarchy

Question 13

give three negative evaluation points of radical feminism.

Answer 13

• don’t acknowledge variations in family life between social classes and different ethnic groups
• ignore the progress made by women in society previously
• over emphasise the factors that separate women from men

Question 14

what is liberal feminism?

Answer 14

concentrates on issues such as inequality in the workplace, education and politics. private life can affect public equality.

Question 15

how do liberal feminists view marriage?

Answer 15

• equal partnership
• more male involvement in childcare
• support abortion and reproductive rights
• want to end domestic violence and sexual harassment

Question 16

what do liberal feminists (oakley) argue?

Answer 16

gender role socialisation plays a part in gender equality. this takes place through canalisation and manipulation. both of these behaviours lead to internalisation.

Question 17

what is canalisation?

Answer 17

the channelling of children towards gender specific toys and activities

Question 18

what is manipulation?

Answer 18

if somebody conforms to the expectations of their gender, they are praised. if not, they are put down and frowned upon.

Question 19

give three evaluation points for oakley’s work.

Answer 19

• been praised as it provides a good and feasible explanation for gender differences (+)
• idea views children as passive recipients of gender role socialisation, this doesnt account for children who rebel (-)
• post modernist ideas state that gender identities are no longer fixed and are on a spectrum of masc and fem. so idea lacks temporal validity (-)

Question 20

give three negative evaluation points about liberal feminism.

Answer 20

• theory doesn’t explain how males and females can hold different levels of power in family and society
• too overly optimistic and positive about their achievements (equal pay act pass 51yrs ago, yet still a gender pay gap in today’s society)
• middle class movement, only represents interest of middle class women, doesn’t account for minority ethnic groups or working class women

Question 21

give two positive evaluation about liberal feminism.

Answer 21

• highlights inequalities between men and women in today’s society very well
• not revolutionary movement, just want reform

Question 22

what is eco feminism?

Answer 22

views the patriarchy as not only destructive to women but also to the earth and nature and environment

Question 23

what is cultural feminism?

Answer 23

has an emphasis on the biological differences between men where women are gentler and kinder when in power. these differences should be acknowledged.

Question 24

what is global feminism?

Answer 24

how globalisation and capitalism affect women in different ways to men

Question 25

what is visionary feminism?

Answer 25

focuses on the love between men and women and how love cannot exist where there is inequality

Question 26

what is black feminism?

Answer 26

argues that racism, gender identity, inequality and other issues are all bound together

Question 27

what is difference feminism?

Answer 27

the idea that there are differences between men and women however there is no value judgement upon them. this means that both genders have equal moral status between them. they aim to show that even though they agree that men and women are biologically unequal, this does not mean that men and women should be treated unequally in society.

Question 28

give an evaluation point for difference feminism.

Answer 28

form of feminism which is closest to natural feminism as it agrees to the fact that men and women have differences however they believe that this should not case one gender to dominate the other.

Question 29

what does “dually oppressed” mean? (marxist feminism)

Answer 29

the idea that women are oppressed by both capitalism and the patriarchy.

Question 30

give four strengths of feminism.

Answer 30

• make sure womens perspective is taken into account
• made huge improvements in law eg. equal pay act
• important role in highlighting the inequalities between men and women in employment, family, media etc.
• emphasises socially constructed nature of gender differences

Question 31

give three weaknesses of feminism.

Answer 31

• liberals criticised for being overly optimistic
• marxists and radicals argue that broader changes need to be made. revolution needs to happen
• feminism ignores masculinity and that the masculine role is also socially constructed. masculinity is complex yet feminism ignores this

Question 32

what are the typical cultural views of gender in the UK?

Answer 32

that there is a stereotypical view of women and men and their roles that they have to play. these roles have become a part of socialisation and it starts from a young age.