Feminism Flashcards
What two movements can we split feminism into
Liberal feminism and radical feminism
What is the difference between liberal and radical feminism
Liberals want reform while radical want revolution. While liberal feminists share similar views with one another, radical feminism has a number of varying and diverging forms
Who wrote the first well known and rigorous work on women’s rights
Mary Wollstonecraft
What did Wollstonecraft argue in A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792)
She did not go so far as to advocate equality for women, but did urge that they be offered a good level of education and that they assert their right to be useful members of society rather than mere ornaments. Thought being a good wife and mother was a worthy aspiration but at the same time women should become independent from their husbands and develop their minds to the fullest extent
Said to be a good mother a woman must have sense and that independence of mind that few women possess who are taught to depend entirely on their husbands. Meek wives are in general foolish mothers, wanting their children to love them best and take their part against the father, who is held up as a scarecrow
When did feminism emerge as a serious social and political movement
The mid to late 18th century
Give some examples of the legal and social position of women becoming an issue in the mid to late 18th century
JS Mill and his wife Harriet Taylor campaigned for the passage of the Married Woman’s Property Act (1882) which allowed women to keep their own property after they married
Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote extensively about the lack of opportunities for women and arguing that their subordinate position in the home was a reflection of their subordinate position in wider society
The issue of the franchise attracted the most attention
What feminist group was founded in 1890
The National American Women Suffrage Association
When was the 19th amendment passed
1920
What did the 19th amendment do
Guaranteed equal voting rights for women
What was formed in 1903
WSPU
Who led the WSPU
The Pankhursts, Emmeline in particular
What did the suffrage movement become known as
First wave feminism
What did first wave feminist think would happen after suffrage had been granted
They thought women would quickly seek election to office
In pursuit of women’s votes, the govt would pass legislation to improve conditions for women and establish socio economic equality
Why were the first wave feminists disappointed after achieving their aim
Because women did not win office and not alot of favourable legislation was passed, save for some improvements in female education and the opening of some professions for women
When did second wave feminism occur
1960s
What wider movement did second wave feminism emerge from
A broader cultural movement at the time that sought to offer a general critique of post industrial society, especially identifying the alienation of various social groups from a society of growing mass communication and consumerism. These groups included the youth, ethnic minorities, gays, the poor and women
What two concepts does the feminist view of human nature revolve around
Sex and gender
Explain the idea of sex
Refers to the biological differences between men and women. The most important differences is the role women have in child bearing. Could refer to the lower level of physical strength women have. Most feminists think sex differences should be irrelevant to the way women are treated in society and relationships between men and women.
Sex differences are seen as natural, inevitable and unalterable
Define essentialism
Contested idea within feminism. Refers to the fundamental nature of the biological differences between men and women. Some feminists say these differences are essential to an understanding of the status of women; others claim it should be irrelevant
Some feminists see sex differences as the explanation of the inferior status of women. Biological differences have determined gender roles in history and up to today. Other, mostly radical feminists agree that biology may have determined the inferior status of women in history but they argue that there is no reason for this to continue to this day
Explain gender
Nothing directly to do with sex differences. Refers to the cultural and economic differences between men and women. There used to be a dominant attitude in society that sex and gender were linked - that the different roles played by women were biologically determined. For instance, women wouldn’t be able to undertake demanding jobs because of their regular need to give birth and care for young children. Another example could be women having a naturally caring and humane attitude because of their childbearing role and so would be less suited to the competitive world of business. Women being tied to the home and the requirements of motherhood means they would naturally become homemakers and men would naturally become breadwinners
Gender leads to feelings of superiority of men and the assignment of inferior societal roles to women. Feminists view gender differences as the creation of patriarchal society and see them as not natural . Sex and gender steroetypes reflect this
Define patriarchy
Used by feminists to describe a society which is dominated by men and where women are seen and treated as inferior
Describe how patriarchy assigns inferior positions to women
Often suggested women were inferior. Largely because the roles of motherhood and homemaking were seen as less important than those of earning outside the home. In this world, women were seen as less able to use their judgement and would have little need for more than basic education. Nor would they need highly developed skills or specialised knowledge. The lack of educational and occupational opportunities open to women reinforced the general cultural belief that men were superior
Give a quote from Friedan that illustrates her belief that negative cultural attitudes towards women are so deep rooted that women often share them with men
Each wife struggled with it alone. As she made the beds, shopped for groceries and ate peanutbutter sandwiches for her children she was afraid to even ask herself the question - is this all?
How do liberal feminists respond to the issue of sex and gender
Liberals like Friedan accept the importance of sex differences but regard gender differences and the superiority of men as an artificial construct created by patriarchal society. There is no reason for sex differences to be converted into gender differences. The apparent inferiority of women is learned behaviour by both men and women. It has its roots in the history of civilisations and is reinforced by cultural institutions. Liberals tend to focus more on reform through legislating for equality and education to counter sexist attitudes. If male superiority and patriarchy are passed down from generation to generation, the cycle must be broken by fundamental changes to the culture
How do radical feminists respond to the issues of sex and gender
Radical feminists like Juliet Mitchell and Kate Millett see gender differences as all pervading and more deep rooted than liberals realise. For Mitchell, male domination exists in all aspects of life including work, home and personal relationships and cultural life generally. It must therefore be destroyed in all these places. Mitchell stressed how gender differences have been perpetuated in the arts and literature and culture. There needs to be a cultural revolution to combat patriarchy. Perhaps the most radical feminist in this regard is Shulasmith Firestone, who stressed the importance of sex rather than gender in the oppression of women. She saw history as a dialectic struggle between men and women. She thought the oppressed women would ultimately triumph, and this would be done by removing the very sex differences that have led to the oppression of women. She said this can be achieved by removing all sexual functions of women and thus all sex differences between men and women. It would be replaced by androgyny - a state where men and women would co exist without sexual relations
How do socialist feminists respond to the issues of sex and gender
See the oppression or inferior status of women as being bound up with capitalism. Patriarchal societies assign an inferior gender role to women so they can become a cheap source of labour. In the home they are a largely unpaid workforce, while in the world of paid employment they make up a large proportion of the low paid, often part time working population. Because of their inferior status they have been forced to work for low wages. They are dispensable which means they can be thrown out during a bust and then easily re-employed during boom periods. Women are therefore poorly paid and lacking job security. The solution is either the destruction of modification of capitalism. Women should be granted the same protection, working conditions, pay and opportunities as men. Capitalism must learn to end its assignment of the position of second class labour to women
Define androgyny
Associated with radical feminism. We all have both male and female characteristics. People should be free to choose their sexual identity or have no sexual identity at all
Who came up with the phrase the personal is the political
Probably first coined by Firestone, popularised by Carol Hanisch in a 1970 essay
What is the private sphere
Refers to the aspects of life which are only the concern the woman and those close to her. For liberals, the private sphere should not be the concern of the state or the rest of society unless harm is being done, like domestic violence
What is the public sphere
Refers to aspects of social, political or economic life that concern the whole community and so are not confined to the home and the private lives of women
How does the idea of the personal is the political illustrate the difference between liberal and radical feminists
Liberals advocate the separation of the private sphere from the public sphere. The private sphere relates to how men and women interact and how women themselves choose to live.
In the public sphere our actions affect others and therefore become the concern of the state. For instance, how men treat women, how women are portrayed in the workplace, in politics, the media and society at large. Includes sexist cultural attitudes that demean women, low expectations of women at work, low wages, lack of opportunity and low conviction rates for things like sexual crimes and discrimination
However, radical feminists like Hanisch and Firestone do not recognise this distinction. For them, everything is political. By political they mean they are reflections of the power that men have over women and the nature of patriarchal society. Thus if a woman is kept at home in a childrearing role this is not a private matter because it reflects wider patriarchy. Think most women do not understand that the personal is the political; their consciousness has been distorted by the male dominated society they live in
Germaine Greer followed the idea of the personal is the political into the realm of intimate and sexual relationships between men and women. She said these relationships are managed by men, who through history have made women ashamed of their sexuality and their bodies - their sexuality has been manipulated to serve the interests of men, thus even such private matters are political, expressions of the power men exercise over women
What do socialist feminists think about the state
See the state as an agent of capitalism, and since capitalism exploits women, the state is the ultimate architect of this exploitation
How do feminists see the state and patriarchy as linked
The modern state is seen as a wider social phenomenon - the oppression and exploitation of women in a patriarchal society. States and govts are accomplices in this exploitation
How do liberals view the relationship between state and patriarchy
Point towards the reluctance of the state to address the inferior position of women, saying that there is no motivation to do this because the state is dominated by men itself. However, liberals think that if the state is part of the problem it is also part of the solution
Give some examples of feminists improving the position of women through legislation and changes in the nature of state education
Equality laws and constitutional principles - such developments are designed to impose the principle of greater gender equality in the public sphere. Most modern states have these principles enshrined - with the US a notable exemption
Virtually all states have outlawed discrimination against women with anti discrimination laws
Laws imposing equal pay regulations - this is enshrined in EU law
Laws dealing with physical and psychological abuse and rape in marriage
The imposition of awareness programmes in school curricula
In some cases female quotas have been introduced, notably in politics
How do radicals see the relationship between the state and patriarchy
Radical feminists see legislative and educational reforms as welcome but superficial as they do not address the systematic nature of discrimination, exploitation and inequality. Patriarchy more pervasive than these reforms suggest. These problems are deeply rooted in patriarchal culture. This means that the state is powerless to combat them, especially as a patriarchal institution itself
How do radical view patriarchy
See it as the key aspect of modern society and women are the exploited class. See the destruction of patriarchy as vital to female emancipation.
This is hard as patriarchy is part of every aspect of society such as politics, economy, culture, media, religion, education and sport. Therefore cannot be attacked by piecemeal reforms, has to be combatted in one of two ways. The first is a full scale attack on cultural values within society, possibly involving violent resistance to male dominance. The other is the creation of a female counter culture, separate altogether from patriarchal society. In particular, this involves women leading completely separate lives from men
How do liberals view patriarchy
See the solution as reform rather than revolution. See patriarchy as a characteristic of society, but it is not necessarily fundamental. Therefore follows that society can be gradually made less patriarchal through peaceful political and cultural action
Explain the difference between equality and difference feminism
Equality feminists have limited aspirations. Seek equality for women in all aspects. Mostly liberals.
Difference feminism is more complex. Men and women have fundamental differences and these should be recognised in society. Most don’t accept that one gender is superior, arguing that they are different and that those differences should be embraced but not fought against. For them, the search for equality is pointless. Some claim that the attributes peculiar to women such as caring nature and nurture of the young and non aggressiveness are superior to male characteristics. They think a world dominated by women would be a better world. The interests of children would be paramount and there would be less war and violence, more likely to embrace nature rather than exploit it
Why do some equality feminists see difference feminism as defeatist
They say difference automatically leads to inequality and if there is inequality it is inevitable that men will benefit. There must be equality and male superiority must be destroyed
How does SDB advocate for male superiority in the Second Sex (1949)
Society, being codified by a man, decrees that woman is inferior, she can do away with this only by destroying male superiority
Who was the feminist existentialist
SDB
What is existentialist feminism
Existentialism sets the freedom of the individual against the constrictions placed on them by the moral or religious world and advised them to struggle against these restrictions by imposing their own will on life. Failing to impose your own will on life is known as bad faith, but succeeding is known as authenticity. SDB thought women lived their life in bad faith, imposed upon them by men
Explain SDB’s idea of women as the Other
This is the idea that men have characterised women as different, but different in a way of men’s choosing rather than being chosen by women themselves. She said that ‘women are made, not born’. The problem is that they are made by men
What does SDB argue in the second sex
Rejects the idea that girls are born with any nurturing instinct, she said that they learn it from their parents and their schooling. Therefore in existentialist terms, their freedom to choose their own life is effectively removed at birth. The roles that women play have been determined for them by men. She says that even in personal relations women are inferior
Give a quote from SDB that explains her view that feminitity is a social construct
One is not born but becomes a woman. No biological, psychological or economic fate determines the figure that females present in society; it is civilisation as a whole that produces this creature, intermediate between male and eunuch, which is described as feminine
What was her solution to the plight of women
Women must be granted the opportunity to make as many choices as men, able to escape from the drudgery of housework and their role in marriage as a kind of sex slave. This will be achieved largely through education, economic freedom, state funded childcare, legalised abortion and widespread contraception. She said the women must liberate themselves. They must seek sexual liberation and freedom from the restrictions of the nuclear family
On what grounds do post modern feminists criticise feminism from the past
On the grounds that it tends to be a white, middle class, one size fits all movement. Say that women from different cultural and social backgrounds face different issues. For instance, the oppression of black women and white women will be different. Also true for gay women, low income women or other ethnic groups
How did Kimberly Crenshaw contribute to post modern feminism
Coined the term intersectionality in 1989. Pointed out that in modern society we all have multiple identities and gender is just one of them. Traditional gender suggests gender is everything, but this is a false perception of women
Define intersectionality
Post modern idea that suggests that women have multiple identities as well as just sex and gender. The problems women face are therefore intersectional and include their other identities
Which two forms of oppression did hooks think the fight against needed to go hand in hand
Racism and sexism
What does hooks say in Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics (2000) to support the idea that the battle against sexism and racism need to go hand in hand
We knew there could be no sisterhood between black and white women if white women were not able to divest of white supremacy, if the feminist movement were not fundamentally anti racist
What was bell hooks’ birth name
Gloria Watkins
Why did hooks take on her name
Adopted the name of her great grandmother as she admired her. Used lower case letters for her pen name so as to not be confused for her great grandmother
Is hooks a radical or liberal feminist
Radical
Why does hooks think the fight for gender equality needs to be more broad based
In analysing gender inequality she starts from the point that society is plagued by inequality in general. Therefore follows that just seeking to create equality for women in general is no solution; equality must be fully established in society as a universal principle. hooks criticises feminists for not realising this reality. They have concentrated too much on white middle class women. Says as a black woman she faces forms of inequality white women don’t, therefore all women can only achieve equality if all forms of discrimination are combatted. Means men have a valid role to play because they can join in the fight against other forms of inequality
What did hooks say patriarchy had taught women to do
Hate themselves and see themselves as inferior
Said women had been socialised by patriarchal thinking to see themselves as inferior, to see ourselves as in competition with one another for patriarchal approval and look at each other with jealously, hatred and fear. Caused women to judge each other harshly and without compassion. Feminist thinking has helped women un learn self hatred. Enabled women to break free of the grip patriarchal thinking has on their consciousness
hooks thought that struggle against patriarchy should have two elements
1) The creation of a more equal society so the multiple disadvantages women face can be eliminated
2) Concerns direct relationships between men and women. Men must learn the patriarchy they are imposing and women must break free of the preconceptions they have about themselves due to male domination of the sexual culture. Speaks about the power of love to overcome current unhealthy relationships. Above all women need to unlearn self hatred and no longer see their bodies as the property of men
Why is hooks classed as a post modern feminist
Because she is attempting to break the movement free of its traditional perspectives and accept modern realities
Give some of the main examples of economic discrimination against women
Used as unpaid labour in the home
Used as a pool of low paid, often part time, dispensable labour employed during growth and discarded during busts. By working for low wages they help keep the level of incomes down by creating more competition
Pay gap - women tend to be paid less than men for similar work
Even in employment fields where women are welcome, the more senior positions tend to be reserved for men (glass ceiling), women are therefore denied equality of opportunity
What does it mean when women are called a reserve army of labour
Idea developed by Engels, suggesting that in industrial capitalist system, women form this group to increase output in the short term and also to keep wages low, but can be dispensed when they are not required
How do socialist feminists see the economic oppression of women
Inspired by Engels. Placed the oppression of women at the door of capitalism. Said women enjoyed a freer more prominent societal role in pre capitalist societies, but industrial capitalism had reduced them to inferior wage slaves. Also constituted a reserve army of labour
See the oppression of women and capitalism as being bound up. Women are still exploited in post industrial society q
Which key thinker is a socialist feminist
Shelia Rowbotham
What does Rowbotham say the solution to capitalist oppression of women should be
Capitalism should be overthrown and replaced with a new world where equality is paramount
Said it is only when women organise in large numbers that they can become a political force , and begin to move towards a more democratic society, such a democracy would be communism
On what grounds did Rowbotham criticise her follow Marxists
For taking too narrow a view of female oppression by confining themselves to analysing the role of women in industrial capitalism rather than in domestic life and wider society
Marxists see the inferior position of women as economically determined. While she agrees with this view she also sees it as too narrow, as women are also oppressed at home and in the wider culture. This means a socialist revolution will not automatically liberate women; they must also be freed from domestic oppression, in personal relationships and the wider culture.
What was Rowbotham’s most influential work
Women’s Consciousness, Men’s World (1973)
What did Rowbotham mean when she wrote ‘men will often admit other women are oppressed, but not you’
That man cannot recognise the kind of oppression they impose on women. They can recognise it in theory but not in practise
Why does Rowbotham think female liberation is only possible under socialism
Said the greatest advances for women have occured after socialist revolutions. While the 1980s neo liberal revolution appeared to offer increased opportunities for women, little progress was actually made. Women are still denied the same opportunities as women and remain a cheap source of labour. Only in a society with complete equality will women achieve equality with men
What view does Rowbotham share with Hanisch and Firestone
That the personal is the political
How does Rowbotham see the role of men in the fight against patriarchy
Because she sees the roots of oppression in the relationship between men and women, it is as much the task of men as women to end patriarchy. Women cannot do it on their own and men must relinquish their dominant position by seeing patriarchy for what it really is
Why is it natural that first wave feminism was liberal
Because it was mainly confined to upper and middle class women, among whom liberalism flourished
Give some examples of liberal content in early feminism
Liberty - women should be free to choose the nature of their lives
Equality of opportunity - Full access to education and employment opportunities
Civil rights - women should enjoy the same civil rights as men; the rule of law should extend fully to women and not discriminate against them
Women should enjoy equal private rights - especially property
Women should enjoy the same democratic rights as men - the right to vote and stand for office
The key figures in early feminism were nearly all liberals, such as Wollstonecraft, Mill and Gilman
Why was second wave feminism come about
Because even after the liberal objectives of first wave feminism was achieved it became clear that this was not enough, women remained an inferior gender and continued to suffer discrimination and inequaity of opportunity. By the 1960s it was apparent that there was something else holding women back
Friedan supplied the answer, the existence of patriarchy. Her research led to her believe that the issue was cultural. She called it ‘the problem with no name’ implying it was largely undiscovered. Said that women themselves did not recognise the nature of their oppression. Patriarchy not only involved the dominance of men but the self assigned inferiority of women. Said men are the victims of patriarchy too because they have been socially conditioned to see themselves as superior
How was Darwinism relevant to the work of Charlotte Perkins Gilman
She wrote at a time when it was highly popular and being adapted to suit many political philosophies. Attacked those who suggested Darwinism could be used to explain male superiority.
Survival of the fittest said it was inevitable that men would be dominant because they were suited to nature, not being tied down to the need to give birth to and rear children. Gilman argued this was no longer the case because the nature of economic activity had changed so much. No reason why women could not play an equal role in modern economies. Said women had equal intelligence and this justified equality in a modern society
How did Gilman say women could be liberated
Through equality of opportunity and therefore a full place in the world of employment. Understood that girls were socialised at home and at school from a young age to take on the role of motherhood and housewife rather than a career. Confinement to the home is culturally rather than biologically determined
What did Gilman say about the position of women in the economy in Women in Economics (1897)
The labour of women in the house enables men to produce more wealth than they otherwise could; in this way women are economic factors, but so are horses
What did Gilman think about family reform
Concerned that child rearing and housework amounted to domestic slavery. Therefore campaigned for the destruction of the traditional nuclear family and its replacement by forms of communal living where child rearing and housework would be shared by men and women, thus freeing women for a wider societal role
Both SDB and Friedan stressed the idea of otherness. What does this mean
Categorises women as somehow other or outside of society and inferior. In the world of men women are treated as an inferior minority. This is why SDB called women the second sex and men the first sex
Define discrimination
Refers to the aspects of patriarchal society that limit women’s life choices, economic prospects and career opportunities, as well as resulting in poorer wages and job security
Define gender equality
Aspiration of liberal, socialist and some radical feminists. Complete legal and cultural equality. All attitudes that suggest men are superior should be outlawed or opposed in places like education and the media
Define political equality
The right to vote and stand for office
Define legal equality
The law should treated the sexes equally; no distinction
Why do liberal feminists refuse to insist that all women should seek to compete with men for positions of superiority
As liberals they think it is women’s choice whether they take up traditional domestic roles or whether they should go into historically male dominated areas.
Liberal feminists proposed three main forms of action to oppose patriarchy
1) Opportunities for women to choose their own path have to be opened by ending discrimination and inequality. (gender equality)
2) Cultural attitudes which demeaned and reinforced women’s sense of inferiority must be combatted. This was to be achieved through education, propaganda and opposition to sexist attitudes and language
3) Women have to achieve formal equality in all fields. Largely involved legislation. There must be political and legal equality
What other name is radical feminism sometimes given
The women’s liberation movement
When did radical feminism appear
Late 1960s
Make the case that liberal feminism fails to understand the true nature of patriarchy
Mainly white middle class movement so ignores intersectional struggles
Support capitalism so do not understand the way this system oppresses and discriminates against women
Underestimate the importance of the personal is the political. Do not understand that personal and sexual relationships between men and women are power relationships and are therefore political
Make the case that liberal feminists do understand the nature of patriarchy
They understand that formal equality is not the only problem and claim that the cultural nature of patriarchy is key. Therefore made sexism a key target
By achieving legal and formal equality, then believe that patriarchy will decline because men will no longer hold the dominant positions in society
Radical feminism is not really one movement but a series of different perspectives on the problems of patriarchy. They do have some characteristics in common…
Propose the destruction of patriarchal society and its transformation into a new form
While liberals are reformists, radicals are revolutionary, though not normally favouring violent revolution
Stress the importance of female consciousness in both their critique of patriarchy and their proposals for a new social order
Mostly difference feminists rather than equality feminists. Instead of attempting to ignore biological and cultural differences, as liberals do, they normally stress and celebrate the differences
Define reformist
Often used to described moderate liberals who want to reform rather than transform society. Radicals use the term to dimiss liberals
Define difference feminism
See women as different but equal or even superior. Difference should be accepted and even celebrated
Define equality feminism
Want to eliminate cultural differences in the pursuit of equality
What are the two points of difference within the radical movement
1) How they analyse patriarchal society
2) How they look to defeat it
Describe Kate Millett’s perspective on patriarchy
Looked to family to aid her understanding of patriarchy. Said women are sexually and economically exploited in marriage. This became a common theme among radicals. Sexual Politics (1969) claimed that men oppress women in all fields: in the home, in the economy and in general life. Their domination is political because it involves the exercise of power. She had much to do with the popularisation of the idea of male chauvanism
Dual perception of patriarchy. Sees the dominance of men both in terms of sexism (entrenched belief in male superiority) and heterosexualism (the belief straight relationships are superior to gay ones). She is bisexual and this has helped her see sexism in a more complete way
What is male chauvanism
The tendency for men to exercise and celebrate their power over women
Explain Germaine Greer’s perspective on patriarchy
In The Female Eunach (1970) she said that men actually hate women and this is why they oppress them. Helped that she was a heterosexual as this could not be dismissed as a lesbian rant.
Said women have been taught to hate themselves so willingly subject themselves to an inferior position. She said women must understand and then throw of the stigma of inferiority imposed on them by men.
‘Until women themselves reject stigma and refuse to feel shame for the way others treat them, they have no hope of achieving full human stature
What did Firestone publish in 1970
The Dialectic of Sex
Explain Firestone’s perspective on patriarchy
Saw the history of civilisation as a dialectic struggle between men and women. Said the origins of this gender struggle lay in the biological differences between men and women and the traditional bondage women faced due to being stuck to life in the home. Thinks patriachy exists because it has always existed and it has always existed because women are constrained by childbirth and housework, destined to be forever enslaved by men
Andrea Dworkin’s perspective on patriarchy…
Campaigned against the sexual oppression of women, and saw porn in particular as symptomatic of men’s view of women as being little more than sexual objects. Said the only way for this to be combatted was for women to form themselves into separate lesbian communities, as as long as they allow themselves to be sex objects for men they will never achieve liberation
How did Millett think women could achieve liberation
Said it is necessary for women to achieve sexual liberation if they are to achieve liberation in general. Said all relationships are political in a patriarchal society because they involve men exercising control over women. Therefore follows that women who are able to accept or convert to lesbianism place themselves on the road to liberation.
Why would it be wrong to categorise Millett as just a lesbian feminist
She also analysed women’s place in society and economy. Thought the word politics had acquired a new broader connotation. This was the idea that wherever one group oppresses another the result is political in nature and the result must be the liberation of the oppressed group (liberation politics)
Millett is not normally classed a socialist feminists, but she does share some of their views…
The toil of working class women is more readily accepted as need , if not by the working class itself then at least by the middle class. Serves the purpose of making cheap labour in factory and low grade service and clerical positions. It wages and tasks are so unrenumerative that unlike the more prestigious employment for women, it fails to threaten patriarchy psychologically or financially
Ideas like this imply that she would have disagreed with parts of the feminist movement for being concerned with the plight of working class women
What do feminists such as Millett, Greer and Firestone all think about the effect patriarchy has on women
All stress the importance of female consciousness of patriarchy. Women’s consciousness of their own inferiority stems partly from their biological role, which appears to be subordinate to men, and partly from the view of themselves imposed on them by men. Patriarchy constantly destroys any idea of liberation with women
What does Zillah Eisenstein say in The Radical Future of Liberal Feminism (1981) about the impact patriarchy has on female consciousness
Patriarchy recognises the potential power of women and the actual power of men. Its purpose is to destroy female consciousness about their potential power, which derives from the necessity of society to reproduce itself
List some radical responses to patriarchy
The abolition of the nuclear family and its replacement by communal forms of living and child rearing. This will naturally remove the male domination of the family. Millett was able to combine this vision with support for the ideals of socialism
Sexual liberation is crucial for radicals like Greer. By escaping from the limitations of traditional straight relationships, women can be free from male domination with Greer thinks will allow them to cease to hate themselves
The elimination of biological roles is perhaps the most radical solution of all. Firestone celebrates the potential of modern bio technology to free women from their biological enslavement. Recommended androgyny (the removal of sex differences between men and women) she envisaged a world where women will no longer need men to reproduce the species
Define cultural feminism
Accepts that women are born with different cultural characteristics to men as well as biological differences. These characteristics are seen as useful to society and superior to male ones in some cases
Branch of the radical movement that started in the 19th century and continues today. Reject the view held by other radicals that gender roles are an illusion perpetrated on women by men. Difference should be embraced rather than opposed
Explores the essence of women and finds that it is more caring and nurturing than the essence of men, which tends to be more competitive and aggresive. Therefore follows that a world dominated by the female essence would be more peaceful and just and protect the environment better. Eco feminists have adopted this position. Cultural feminists accept women are more likely to take up domestic roles, but value them as highly, or even more highly, than roles traditionally played by men
Why did Engels think the role of women in the economy was important
Said they had always been deprived of private property. Resulted in them being oppressed by property owners throughout history. As capitalism developed and needed more workers, women became a vital source of available low paid labour. Their lack of property increasingly forced them into paid employment
On what grounds do some modern Marxist feminists actually disagree with Engels
For overstressing the importance of property. Say that in modern society many women have come to own property but their oppression has not ceased; they remain an exploited part of the workforce
What do marxist feminist think need to be destroyed before female liberation can occur
Capitalism
What is the difference between socialist feminists and liberal feminists
While liberals concentrate on things like equal opportunities and pay, socialists say that only the extreme modification of capitalism can save women from their inferior economic position. For instance, state ownership of the economy means women will not need to compete against men for employment
Describe Rowbotham’s socialist feminism
Described as a socialist rather than a Marxist because she rejects the rigid economic determinism of Marx. Thinks female oppression has economic roots but also stems from the traditional nature of the nuclear family and the cultural dominance of male superiority
When was the Chicago Women’s Liberation Movement founded
1969
What does the Chicago Women’s Liberation Movement
Leads the socialist feminist movement in the US. Committed to a two pronged attack on patriarchy.
1) Power has to be distributed more equally in society so working class women could benefit
2) There has to be cultural change, notably in the education of women
Make the case that female oppression under capitalism is inevitable
As long as men dominate positions of economic power, they will discriminate against women
The predominance of women in domestic roles means men are bound to dominate the economy
Women’s innate lack of aggressiveness and competitiveness means they are bound to struggle under capitalism
Make the case that female oppression is not inevitable under capitalism
Women are making progress in achieving senior economic positions and once critical mass is achieved, male domination will end
No longer inevitable that women must focus on domestic roles
No such thing as the innate non aggresive nature of women - they are able to deal with the competitive world just as well as men. Also, even if women are more caring, this will just make for a more humane form of capitalism
What does post modernism mean in general
Refers to the modern tendency to reject forms of thinking which have become limited by their confinement to traditional ways of viewing the world
Explain post modern feminism
Rejects the fixed ideas of many feminist theorists, like radicals and socialists, see the position of women as a complex problem with lots of competing explanations and solutions. Stress the importance of language in carrying forward sexism and patriarchal attitudes.
Propose women must be free to make choices for themselves. For some this could involve choosing a traditional female role in the family, while for others it may mean competing with men on an equal basis. The same is true of sexuality; women should choose the nature of their relationships with men and women without resorting to traditional feminist attitudes. Each woman has her own unique experience in life and must liberate herself in her own way. The search for political, legal and social equality goes on as women cannot make free choices if patriarchy and male superiorty continue to dominate society.
What wave of feminist is post modern feminism linked to
Third wave
Summarise SDB on human nature
Gender differences are artificially created by men
Summarise SDB on the state
The state reinforces a culture that prevents women from expressing their true freedom and identity
Summarise SDB on society
Her existentialism dominated her feminism. Social constraints prevent individuals from attaining self realisation and true freedom
Summarise SDB on the economy
Men’s domination of economic life restricts the options women have available
Summarise hooks on human nature
Women have multiple identities and therefore face multiple types of oppression
Summarise hooks on the state
Dominated by white males and therefore reflects and reinforces their dominant societal position
Summarise hooks on society
Full of complex relationships between minorities. In order to resolve social conflicts, love must be established between different minority communities
Summarise hooks on the economy
Women living in poverty have problems working class women do not face. The liberation of the poor is necessary for the liberation of women
Summarise Rowbotham on human nature
Women’s consciousness of the world is created by men
Summarise Rowbotham on the state
The servant of capitalism
Summarise Rowbotham on society
Nature of society is economically determined. Society reflects the dominant positon of capitalists and men in general
Summarise Rowbotham on the economy
Marxist. Women are a low paid reserve army of labour
Summarise Gilman on human nature
Biological differences are irrelevant, women can compete equally with men
Summarise Gilman on the state
No distinctive views
Summarise Gilman on society
Society has always assigned women inferior roles. No longer justified in modern society
Summarise Gilman on the economy
Domestic servitude of women has allowed men to dominate the economic world
Summarise Millett on human nature
Women can free themselves from male oppression by engaging in lesbian relationships
Summarise Millett on the state
Agent of patriarchy. Part of the problem but not the solution
Summarise Millett on society
Modern society is completely characterised by patriarchy, which is all pervasive and impacts the public and private spheres
Summarise Millett on the economy
Quasi socialist but this is not fundamental to her feminism
List some of the key tensions within feminism
Radicals reject the liberal agenda because to does not truly understand patriarchy. Liberals see patriarchy in terms of the historical dominance of men in society. Liberals say this explains the oppression of women; it is a characteristic of society rather than a fundamental explanation of how society works for women. Radicals provide a number of explanations of patriarchy, all of which suggest that it lies deep in our consciousness, so deep that dramatic and revolutionary change is needed to change our patriarchal consciousness. Therefore legal, political and cultural reform will not make a difference
Liberals counter by saying the radicals are imposing their own views on the female consciousness which seek to restrict freedom of choice. As long as there is a framework of legal and political equality, women should be free to adopt their own aspirations. Liberals criticise radicals for not recognising there is a private sphere where women should be free to choose their own status and consciousness. Radicals are apparently imposing their own forms of consciousness on women by breaking down the barrier between the public and private spheres
Socialists say the radicals and liberals don’t recognise the importance of economic factors in the oppression of women. They say patriarchy has economic origins and has intensified under modern capitalism
Radicals take issue with socialists for exclusively stressing economic factors. Patriarchy may have economic elements but is more complex than just this. Patriarchy is cultural and psychological as well. Radicals say that by over stressing economics, socialists fail to recognise there is still a great deal of patriarchy in socialist societies
Tension between difference and equality feminists. Difference feminists say seeking equality is recognition that male characteristics are superior. Difference feminism rejects male superiority and looks to stress sex differences and often see female ones as superior
How do liberals, radicals and socialists think differently about how to change society
Liberals - Reform
Radicals - Social and cultural revolution
Socialists - Promises an economic transformation of society towards socialism
How do liberals, radicals and socialists think differently about patriarchy
Liberals - It is a modern phenomenon that can be combatted through legal and cultural reform
Radicals - Long and deep historical roots. Penetrated deep into the male and female consciouness
Socialists - Largely economically based. Men dominate women generally because they dominate them economically
How do liberals, radicals and socialists think differently about the pre requisites for liberation
Liberals - If legal and economic equality can be achieved, women will achieve general liberation
Radicals - Male and female consciousness must be achieved
Socialists - Patterns of employment and the economic structure of the family have to be transformed so women can achieve economic liberation
How do liberals, radicals and socialists think differently about freedom
Liberals - Women should be free to choose how they conduct their lives and their relationships
Radicals - Not sufficient to create freedom for women - men’s dominance must be ended and so too must their consciousness of superiority
Socialists - Women will not be free until they have achieved economic freedom
