Feminism Flashcards
What is feminism?
Focus on gender inequalities
and womens experiences of society based on impacts of patriarchy
When did feminism start?
mid 1800s
When did feminism begin to influence society?
1970s
How many ‘waves’ of feminism are there?
4
What is the main argument in feminism?
women are disadvantaged compared to men and men often control key institutions making an unfair gender gap
What are patricarchal ideologies?
Ideas that justify male dominance and womens inferiority
When did the first wave of feminism start?
mid 1800s
What was the aim of the first wave?
reforming social and legal inequalities affecting women and particularly to achieve universal female suffarage
What is female suffrage?
the right to vote
Who led the first wave and what were their concerns?
mainly middle class women known as suffragettes concerned with poor education for girls and professions to become more equal
What were the marriage laws in the first wave?
once married the man owned all teh womens assets, she wasnt allowed a divorce unless he agreed and if a divorce happened the woman would never be allowed contact with her children
When was the right to vote granted?
1928
Was the first wave a success?
Yes, because they acheived many goals in relation to education and proffesions. No, because significant ineualities still existed in terms of expectations of women and pay gap
When was the Second wave ?
1960s/70s
What other campaigns was this wave linked to?
- civil rigths movement
- gay rights
- anti war protests
What was the slogan of the second wave?
‘the personal is political’
meaning inequalities women faced were often political matters as well as personal
What was the aim of the second wave?
to acheive less discrimination and equal rights. Raising womens consciousness about the problems with society
What was the the significant UK conference in the second wave?
National woemns Liberation conference 1970
What were the four demands of the conference?
- equal pay for equal work
- equal education and job opportunities
- free contraception and abortion on demand
- free 24 hour nurseries
What were the further demands added in 1978?
- legal and financial independence for women
- end to discrimination against lesbians
- freedom from intimidation, threat or sexual coercion in marriage
- end all laws that perpetuate male dominance and aggression
Was the list a success?
No, the majority of demands were not met and it led to divison and loss of momentum
When was the third wave of feminism?
mid 1990s onwards
What is the third wave?
a much more diverse and individualistic form of feminism
Why did the third wave begin?
globalisation and increasing technological advancements
What deos the third wave focus on?
less on laws and more on individual identity
What does the third wave acknowledge?
women come from:
- ethnicities
- nationalities
- religions
- cultural backgrounds
What is the fourth wave?
aruged to be a necessary movement in 21st century to take action against sexism
How did Kira Cochrane define the fourth wave?
‘its defined by technology, tools allowing women to build a strong, popular and reactive movement’
Is it currently successful and why?
yes.
- everyday sexism project
- activism badge for girl guides
What are the different strands of feminism?
- liberal
- marxist
- radical
What is liberal feminism ?
A focus on obtaining equal opportunities for men and woemn in society
What do liberal feminists argue?
changes in norms and values will bring about equality
Who is a key feminist theorist?
Oakley
What did Oakley argue?
gender role socialisation in families is the important area where gender inequality takes root
What does Oakley believe happens in families to embed gender inequality?
- manipulation
- canalisation
What is canalisation?
the channelling of children towards thigns that seem appropriate for their gender. promoting inequalities
What is the postmodernism criticisms of Oakley?
gender identities are no longer fixed and that it is a choice. Meaning oakleys ideas are outdated and lack temporal validity
What are some criticisms of Oakley?
thinks of children as passive but its argued they can negotiate.
What is the evaluation of liberal feminism?
- overly optimistic about achievements
- middle-class movement that lacks diversity
- radical and marxist feminists say it faisl to explain power differences
What is Marxist feminism?
Belief that social class is to blame for inequalities alongside capitalism and the economic system
What do Marxist feminists say about family?
it is a patriarchal institution and womens steryotypical roles result in exploitation
What do marxists argue about womens family roles?
they play a central role in capitalism.
- making next gen of workers
- encourage obedience and hard work
Who is a key marxist feminist?
Feeley
What does Feeley argue?
due to patriarchal family structures children grow up to accept their place in society ‘designed to teach passivity and not rebellion’
Evaluation of marxist feminism?
- placing too much emphasis on class
- relies too much on revolution to bring change
How is marxist linked to postmodernist feminism?
postmodernists believe class is no longer significant
how is marxist linked to radical feminism?
radical argue patriarchy is most significant not capitalism
What is radical feminism?
belief that patriarchy is the sole reason for opression. argue society is run by men in the interest of men
What do radical feminists believe about family?
it is central to opression as there has always been division of labour to enforce male domination
What do radical feminists believe about biology?
womens ability to give birth leads to opression but dont belive that should be the case
Who is a key radical feminist?
Millett
What did Millett argue?
Men got power due to biological factors but modern tech such as contraceptives mean men can not dominate
Evaluation of radical feminism?
- dont talk about variations in family life
- see women as sharing interests because thyre women so doesnt acknowledge differences
