Feminism Flashcards
Sex
For feminists this is the biological differences between men and women. They are seen as inevitable.
Gender
The cultural differences between sexes, leading to the feelings of superiority of men and inferiority of women.
Patriarchy
Used by feminists to describe a society which is dominated by men.
Intersectionality
Postmodern idea among feminists that suggests women have multiple identities as well as their sex and gender.
Otherness
Refers to the position of women in patriarchal society, treated as separate to society, an inferior minority.
Reformist
A term used to describe moderate liberal feminists who wish to reform society rather than transform it.
Essentialism
A contested idea which refers to the fundamental nature if the biological differences between men and women. Some feminists say such differences are essential to an understanding of the status of women. Other claim it should be irrelevant.
Liberal feminist
Women should enjoy equality of opportunity with men and the same civil rights (the rule of law should extend to them)
Radical feminist
Destruction of the patriarchy
Revolutionary in their outlook rather than reformist (although not normally favouring violent revolution)
Socialist feminist
Women were the victims of capitalism as the reserve labour force.
Being deprived of property meant that they were economically disadvantaged historically.
Postmodern feminist
Argues that patriarchy appears in different ways depending on a women’s race, class or identity.
Pushes for intersectionality.
Human Nature:
This is about humans as a whole and what comes naturally to them. Each ideology will believe something different about human nature.
- Sex and Gender: Sex refers to the biological differences, whereas gender refers to the differences society has created (feminine and masculine)
- Most feminists agree that sex is a difference. E.g., a man is biologically stronger than a women. Feminists (largely liberals) now believe these differences should be irrelevant because of technological advances making them obsolete. E.g., a woman can drive a plough to plough a field instead of doing it by hand.
- Essentialism: Some feminists believe these sex differences are essential in understanding women.
- Gender: This is the economic and cultural differences between men and women. Gender and sex have historically been intertwined. E.g., women were not seen as suited to the competitive world of business because they were more caring due to being mothers.
Society:
This is about how people live and the factors that affect their lives.
- Patriarchy: All feminists see society as patriarchal in nature. Much like how socialists see capitalism exploiting the workers, feminists see the patriarchy as exploiting women.
- Liberals: Reforming of society is needed by the government in order to bring equality
- Radical and socialist: A revolution is needed in order to bring around equality. Radicals believe that the patriarchy is the fundamental problem women face, and only its destruction will allow women the freedom they need.
- Radicals: Some radicals also believe that there should be a creation of a counter-culture, separate from patriarchal society where women live separate to men.
- Postmodern feminists: They point out that within the patriarchy there is also racism and other forms of oppression, so when tackling the patriarchy, it is not just about gender oppression.
Economy:
This refers to how the economic structures of the world affect people. This one is interesting for feminism, because you can be a feminist, and another of the ideologies.
- All feminists agree that women are discriminated against in the economic world. Main examples include: women doing unpaid labour in the home, women used as a pool of low paid, often part time, dispensable labour. Employed in booms, but discarded in slumps.
- Women tend to be paid lower wages than men (see the pay gap) and struggle to make it to the senior jobs.
- Socialist feminists: They place the oppression of women at the door of capitalism. Capitalism has reduced women to wage-slaves and seen as a ‘reserve army of labour”.
State
This refers to the government and their role in people’s lives.
- Feminists do not have a distinct theory on the state.
- Patriarchy and the state: The patriarchy is seen to penetrate the state and therefore be a tool of oppression against women.
- Liberals: They often point to the reluctance of states in dealing with inequality as a huge problem and proof of the patriarchy. However, despite governments being seen as a problem, they are also seen as part of the solution. Governments can make strides by passing laws to ensure equality: Equality act, 2010. Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (USA), 2009. Equal Pay Act, 1970. Abortion Act, 1967.
- Radicals: Developments like the laws above are welcome, but superficial. They do not address the fundamental problem.
