Feminism Flashcards
1
Q
What are the different approaches to feminism?
A
Liberal feminism, socialist feminism, radical feminism, post feminism.
2
Q
What is Liberal Feminism?
A
The idea that rules and institutions must be made equal, and encouragement given to under-represented groups to participate.
3
Q
What is Radical Feminism?
A
Equal outcomes must be guaranteed, and institutions and their cultures must change in order to make equal participation certain.
4
Q
What is Socialist Feminism?
A
Equality reforms to the capitalist system will liberate women from their economic discrimination.
5
Q
What is Post-Feminism?
A
Many explanations as to why women face inequalities, but women should be given the freedom to make their own choices.
6
Q
Who were the key feminist thinkers?
A
Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Simone de Beauvoir, Kate Millett, bell hooks, Sheila Rowbotham.
7
Q
Who were the liberal feminist key thinkers?
A
Mary Wollstonecraft, J.S Mill, Betty Friedan, CPG, Simone de Beauvoir.
8
Q
What are the demands of liberal feminism?
A
Legal and equal status for men and women in politics, employment and education.
9
Q
What are the key principles of liberal feminism?
A
Exercise the same democratic rights as men, equality of opportunity with men, claim the same civil rights as men, inherit and own property on the same terms as men.
10
Q
What action do liberal feminists want to see to tackle patriarchy?
A
Equality through legal reform - A patriarchal society doesn’t cater to women’s needs, as the law can change circumstances for women.
11
Q
How has feminism influenced government policy in the UK?
A
All women shortlists, Equal rights amendment, equal pay act, abortion act, representation of the people act 1918, family allowance 1948, equality act 2010.
12
Q
How has feminism influenced government policy in the USA?
A
Civil rights act 1964, equal rights amendment act.
13
Q
What did Liberal feminists believe women’s rights should be?
A
Rights should apply to men and women, wollstonecraft believed that non-legal protection of women was a violation of government by consent.
14
Q
What were Freidan’s views on Liberal feminism?
A
Believed the view of a woman in society shouldn’t be based on marriage and motherhood. Gender is a social construct. Supported equal rights amendment.
15
Q
What does Friedan say about societal expectations of women?
A
Gender norms were limiting women’s personal and professional development. Women should recognise and challenge the ‘comfortable concentration camp’ of domesticity.
16
Q
What were the criticisms of Early Liberal feminists such as Mill?
A
It focused on educated, middle class women, not working class women, didn’t focus on economic hardship. Some think women becoming educated in order to become better wives reinforced traditional gender roles.
17
Q
What were the criticisms of Liberal Feminism?
A
Didn’t focus on structural change, doesn’t challenge social and cultural systems, doesn’t focus on economic and class issues, focused on individualism over collective liberation.
18
Q
What did Gilman argue against?
A
Survival of the fittest, saying it only focused on ruthless competition. She said survival of the fittest ignored the critical role co-operation in human evolution.
19
Q
What did Gilman say about women’s economic and social dependence on men?
A
It wasn’t a result of natural selection, but of social and economic systems stunting women’s development.
20
Q
What were Gilman’s views on Society?
A
It’s time to overturn traditional male/female relationships, Women don’t need to seek protection from men, granting women an equal right with men to work would require rethinking of marriage. Boys and girls should have the same clothes and play with the same toys.
21
Q
What were Gilman’s views on the economy?
A
Economic equality could only be achieved if the right to work outside the home was extended. Women needed economic independence, and there’s no logical reason to deny them this.
22
Q
Why was Gilman seen as ahead of her time?
A
She wanted an androcentric society, and equal rights with men.
23
Q
What were Gilman’s views of traditional family structure?
A
Economic equality could only be achieved if the right to work outside the home was extended to married as well as unmarried women.
24
Q
What was a quote from Simone de Beauvoir?
A
‘Women are made, not born.’
25
What did Simone de Beauvoir believe about Women's role?
Men made women different, and women should impose their own will upon their lives, not be restricted by moral and religious conscriptions.
26
What did Simone de Beauvoir explore in her writing?
It explored how and why women had come to be regarded as lesser members of society when compared to men. She believed biology listed ways men and women are different, not weaknesses.
27
What were Beauvoir's views on Society and Gender?
Men justified their superior status by referring to women's natural deficiencies. They said strength was measured according to criteria such as body size. Women needed to achieve liberation from gender. History provides no rational justification for men's superior position.
28
What did Beauvoir believe all women needed to do, to start liberation?
Reject the notion that women were predisposed to certain behaviours and instincts, and accept that society had to realise women were entitled to economic independence, as girls are raised to be meek.
29
What did Beauvoir say women needed to do in the long term?
Engage in intellectual pursuits, and join together to work actively for change.
30
Why did Beauvoir say women joining together would be hard?
Because women were oppressed, and identified with their oppressors. The fight for change would pit men and women against each other, and said men would accept this, because women deserved their freedom.
31
What did Beauvoir believe about the family?
Opportunities could only be equal if women achieve economic independence. Women remain subordinate for as long as they are economically dependent on men. Women should seek to liberate themselves.
32
Why was Simone de Beauvoir criticised?
She didn't think work by itself could make women free, or that marriage and motherhood were without value. She was criticised for thinking feminism was still relevant.
33
What was Political and legal equality?
The main demand of early feminists, consisting of an equal right to participate in elections and run for political office, and laws that treat men and women in the same way.
34
What was Otherness?
In a patriarchal society, women are subject to control by men, who have the upper hand because of their greater economic and political power. Being 'othered' forms a major barrier to women achieving equality.
35
What is Reformist feminism?
Liberal feminists have a reformist approach, as they seek to work within existing political structures to achieve change, not overthrowing these structures.
36
What are the other views of liberal feminism?
Men had established how society operated, and they saw confirmation of their own elevated states around them. Liberal feminists wanted individual women to be free in how they live their lives.
37
What is the Personal is Political?
Women's personal lives have an effect on the way they're seen within politics and society.
38
What is the context of radical feminism?
They disagree with the significance over the private sphere, if more household chores and parenting are done by women, this models a pattern of unequal gender relations.
39
Why do Radical feminists believe liberal feminists fail?
Because they don't realise the struggle of ordinary people.
40
What is Patriarchy?
A form of social organisation in which a male is always the head of the family, or within wider society.
41
What are the key concepts of radical feminism?
Women should enjoy equality with men in the public sphere, political, economic and legal equality. Legal and political reform, extending the same rights to women as men.
42
What did radical feminists believe about the role of women?
Women should be able to make their own decisions about how to conduct their lives behind closed doors. The way women behave at home has an impact on their lives in the public sphere. Women find it difficult to balance the public and private sphere.
43
What did Radical Feminists believe about the sex/gender divide?
They believe liberal feminists have underestimated the depth of the problems caused by pre-existing prejudices. Gender stereotypes are at the root of repression of women in all aspects of their lives.
44
What do radical feminists advocate for?
A sexual revolution to overthrow the patriarchy, as it's responsible for this repression. Women have to reject inferior roles in their private and public lives.
45
What did Kate Millett believe about the role of revolution?
She believed women could only be truly free if the patriarchal power structure in society was overthrown. The revolution to eliminate patriarchy had to happen in people's minds, as well al homes, workplaces and institutions.
46
What did Kate Millett believe about society?
Oppression of women is more entrenched than any other division in society. Children were assigned to different roles within society. Religious texts, television programmes confirmed stereotypes of male and female characters.
47
What did Kate Millett believe about Political reform?
Political reform in the public sphere had failed women - women were under-represented in public office. She said sex was different from gender, which would allow for total rejection of repression and subjugation.
48
What did Kate Millett say about the family?
She believed that patriarchy's chief institution is the family, and is a mirror of the connection with society at large.
49
Why did Kate Millett believe it was necessary for women to achieve sexual liberation?
The oppression of women was more entrenched than any other form of division in society.
50
What did Liberal Feminists believe about prostitution?
They question the right of the state to interfere in a contract between individuals, and the attempt of the state to change attitudes is wrong.
51
What did Radical feminists believe about prostitution?
They believe that attempts by the state to control it redistributes the problem - women will just go to other countries.
52
What did Liberal feminists believe about patriarchy?
Society needed to accept that all the scientific evidence showed that women were as capable as men - they reject the idea that sex predisposed them to masculine and feminine ways of being.
53
What did Radical feminists believe about patriarchy?
Gender stereotypes are at the root of repression of women in all aspects of their lives, and advocate a general revolution to overthrow the patriarchy.
54
Why do other feminists criticise liberal feminists about their views of the patriarchy?
They say liberals can't see that the state is based on patriarchy. They argue libertarian feminists aren't really free, as individual rights are an expression of male power.
55
How do liberal feminists want to achieve equality for women?
Through legal and political reform, extending the same rights to women as men.
56
What do Liberal feminists believe about the personal is political?
They worked to remove barriers to female progression in the public sphere, and don't concern themselves with what happens in the private sphere - women should be able to make their own decisions.
57
Why do radical feminists believe 'the personal is political' is true?
They believe that women who are submissive at home find it difficult to assert themselves in the public sphere.
58
What do Radical feminists believe about the private sphere?
If women do most of the housework, this limits the time they have to advance their careers, and free up men to have more time at work. If more housework is done by women, it models unequal gender relations.
59
Why do Socialist feminists agree that repression within the home matters?
They believe that unpaid work performed by women props up the capitalist state. Men wouldn't have been fed or cared for without it.
60
What is Essentialism?
The belief that Biology dictates not just sex, but also a person's behaviour and psychological make up.
61
What do Liberal feminists believe about essentialism?
They would say that the state shouldn't be involved with the decisions of people in their personal lives.
62
What do Radical feminists believe about essentialism?
They don't want traditional gender roles to be present within society - they're at the root of repression within society.
63
What are the other beliefs of radical feminism?
Dismantling of patriarchy, transformation of society into a completely new form. Revolution. They stress the importance of raising female consciousness in their critique of patriarchy.
64
What are the proposals of radical feminists to combat patriarchy?
Abolition of women in the nuclear family, replacing it with communal ways of raising children. Sexual liberation, by escaping traditional male-female reactions. Elimination of biological roles.
65
What do Cultural feminists believe about the sex/gender divide?
They argue that men and women have different inclinations, and seek to honour their contrasting masculine and feminine characters.
66
What do Cultural feminists believe is the biggest problem in society?
The roles performed by women in society are treated as less important, not that women and men are more similar that society believes.
67
What are the criticisms of cultural feminists?
They've been called Naive for accepting a definition of feminisity devised by men, for men. Ascribing particular qualities to women reinforces gender stereotypes.
68
How do cultural feminists seek to address criticisms?
They celebrate the softer qualities they associate with women, pointing out that men's destabilising behaviours are more likely to disrupt society. They argue that men are more prone to start conflict.
69
What do Cultural feminists believe about men and women's behaviour?
They argue women are more likely to promote dialogue and encourage understanding.
70
What do liberal and radical feminists believe about female superiority?
They reject it, as they believe in Androgyny.
71
What do Socialist feminists believe about female superiority?
They seek equality with men, not replacement of a male-dominated society with a female-dominated one.
72
What do Cultural feminists believe about female superiority?
They say their beliefs have the power to unite women regardless of social or ethnic group.
73
What do intersectional feminists believe about female superiority?
They say it's an attempt to gloss over the varying experiences which have shaped women.
74
What are the other beliefs of cultural feminism?
A woman means being caring, empathetic and co-operative. They don't agree that putting traditional stereotypes on women encourages patriarchy. They celebrate softer qualities.
75
Why do some cultural feminists want to replace patriarchy with matriarchy?
They argue societies run by women would be better places to live.
76
Why do other feminists say cultural feminists are naive?
They're accepting the definition of women made by men, for men.
77
What are the core ideas of socialist feminism?
Equality of opportunity, reserve army of labour, destruction of capitalism is key for the liberation of women.
78
Why do socialist feminists criticise Engels?
Because of his views on the role of property, and a lack of property, forcing women into low paid jobs.
79
What is the main argument of Socialist feminism?
They argue capitalism doesn't see gender, but sees everyone as workers. Women are discriminated against in the economic world. They compare unpaid work, and raised the next generation of workers.
80
Why do socialist feminists believe in equality of opportunity?
They argue that there is a glass ceiling of where women can get within organisations, and the wider economy. Women could technically get to the top, but don't, because of prejudices in practice.
81
What do socialist feminists believe about a reserve army of labour?
Women are reserves when there aren't enough men to fill jobs, exploitation of women and capitalism is bound together in a system of oppression. Women are now exploited in modern post-industrial society.
82
What are the arguments that women are inevitably oppressed under capitalism?
Predominance of women playing domestic roles, they're only employed when needed, forgotten about after that. Makes them economically dependent on men. Gender pay gap.
83
What are the arguments that women aren't inevitably oppressed under capitalism?
Both men and women are equally oppressed under capitalism. The role of women in society is changing in society/politics.
84
When did Sheila Rowbotham become involved in the Women's liberation movement?
The 1960's.
85
What was the main belief of Sheila Rowbotham?
Complete equality between men and women could only be achieved through a social revolution.
86
What did Sheila Rowbotham say about Liberal Feminism?
It had been effective in raising awareness of women's subjugation, but it was predominantly middle class. It had done little to address the oppression of working class women or housewives.
87
What were the other beliefs of Sheila Rowbotham?
She was influenced by Marxism, and believed that capitalism worsened the oppression of women, forcing them to sell their labour in order to survive.
88
What did Sheila Rowbotham believe about Family?
Believed that family had a dual function, subjecting women to the demands of capitalism, offering a place of refuge for marginalised women.
89
What did Rowbotham believe about the role of women in industrial capitalism?
Recognition was needed of the fact that the capitalist system exploited working class women more than working class men.
90
What did Rowbotham believe about women in the workplace?
They had to accept that a lack of autonomy in the workplace, and had to work for free within homes controlled by men, unlike men.
91
What did Rowbotham believe about housewives?
She believed that housewives suffered more than workers - the home is a prison, not a women's domain.
92
Who did Rowbotham believe had it the worst in society?
A pregnant housewife, as she's unable to escape from her femininity.
93
What changes did Rowbotham want to see in society?
She wanted it to be easier for women to work part time. Employers should provide creches to care for the children of male and female workers.
94
What did Rowbotham argue about places of childcare?
Greater availability of nursery schools, laundrettes and cheap restaurants and cheap restaurants would free working women from their domestic lives.
95
What did Rowbotham say about phrases such as 'Girl's work?'
She wanted them to be banished from the English language, and implied the work was of lesser value, to justify lower rates of pay.
96
How did Rowbotham want change to be achieved?
Through revolutionary groups, crucial to the transformation of society. Rowbotham thought it would be acceptable to exclude men from such organisations and allow women to gain confidence.
97
What did Rowbotham say about the exclusion of men?
It should only be temporary because women's freedom could not be obtained in a society in which men didn't abandon their patriarchal attitudes.
98
What are the socialist feminist views on the sex/gender divide?
Problems caused by the sex/gender divide are part of a larger system of discrimination. This works to the advantage of employers who can hire women more cheaply than men.
99
Why do socialist feminists believe women suffer at two levels?
They had worse treatment that men at work, and they were exploited at home, as they did jobs which were unpaid and unappreciated. Childcare being done by women is useful to employers, as it freed up male workers.
100
What was Engels' view of women in the economy?
Women had always been deprived of private property, resulting in being oppressed by property owners. Women became a vital source of available, low paid labour as capitalism developed.
101
What was the most important thing for socialist feminists?
The stopping of economic dependence on men, and believed that power should be more evenly distributed, and wanted a change in culture.
102
Why is Rowbotham often seen as a paradox?
She embraced Marxism, but criticised traditional Marxism for focusing too much on class. She believed revolutionary change was needed, but also supported gradual change. She shared radical feminism's critique of patriarchy, but rejected separatism.
103
Why was Rowbotham a socialist feminist but not a Marxist feminist?
She supported a mix of revolution and reform, said that class struggle alone wouldn't free women. She wanted economic and social revolution, not just class based revolution. She saw oppression as a mix of capitalism and patriarchy.
104
What is Equality feminism?
A branch of feminism with the goal of eradicating legal, political and cultural differences between the sexes, so men and women have the same status in society, and command the same level of respect.
105
What is difference feminism?
It's based on the belief that there are fundamental differences between men and women. Some argue that women are different but equal.
106
What is Intersectionality?
Emphasises that every individual has a variety of identities. To understand anyone properly, one must consider their race, ethnicity, social class, sexuality and gender.
107
What are the main arguments of Intersectionality?
Black women sometimes suffered from racial prejudice, and sometimes suffered from gender discrimination. Black women are treated worse than white women and black men. It aimed to highlight the ways in which different forms of inequality overlap.
108
Who did Intersectional feminists say are the most marginalised?
They argue that people who are the most impacted by gender based violence are also the most impoverished.
109
What was Kimberle Crenshaw's example of Black women facing different challenges?
Black women sued general motors for discrimination, as they said the company only hired women for admin jobs, and only hired black men for managerial positions, not black women.
110
How did Kimberle Crenshaw say Intersectionality had expanded beyond a focus on Black women?
She used multiple examples such as latinas and immigrants. She focused on immigration, policing and economic inequality. She highlighted violence faced by LGBT individuals. She talked about how Black trans women face higher rates of violence.
111
What are the criticisms of intersectional feminism?
Intersectionality is too divisive, it's too theoretical, it silences white women, it's too focused on identity.
112
How did Crenshaw challenge these criticisms?
She would say intersectionality is about inclusion, not division. She would say intersectionality was developed from real legal cases. She would say it includes class as a key factor.
113
Why did bell hooks write in lower case letters?
She wanted the emphasis to be on her arguments, not her identity. She was disappointed by the liberal feminist movement.
114
What was hooks' main argument?
White women only faced prejudice because of gender, black women also had discrimination due to race.
115
What was hooks' criticism of other feminists?
She said that first and second wave feminists were largely white, middle class, university educated women. She said they had a narrow focus on achieving equality.
116
What were hooks' main views about the patriarchy?
She said society was dominated by white men, black women faced an imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy. Black women have to overcome multi-faceted challenges.
117
What did hooks want to embed within society?
A feminist masculinity, where feminists speak directly to men. She wanted to help men and boys forge identities free from sexism. She believed men have value because of who they are, not what they do.
118
What did hooks say about White women and their liberation?
Middle class women freed themselves by paying less educated women low wages to do work for them, therefore buying their liberation at their expense.
119
What were the other beliefs of post modern feminism?
No single narrative or set of solutions can be unanimously applied. Tackling discrimination will require a whole range of solutions, some smaller, others larger scale.
120
What did Post-colonial feminism seek to understand?
The socio-economic impact of imperialism on women. They wanted to confront racist and sexist attitudes entrenched by colonial rule. Some argue that differences among women are a strength.
121
What did feminism believe about human nature?
It believed sex is biological, and that gender results from the balance of masculine and feminine qualities. They think that women and men having predetermined qualities is wrong.
122
What do Liberal feminists believe about the state?
They wanted to work for changes which would enshrine in law fair and equal treatment for women in all aspects of life. They focused on reversing discrimination.
123
What do Radical feminists believe about the state?
They say liberals should have been bolder. They argue that patriarchy is so engrained, that it can only be eliminated if existing structures of government are dismantled.
124
What did Socialist feminists believe about the state?
That patriarchal capitalism emerged from the state, and is upheld by it.
125
What did Marxist feminists believe about the state?
They wanted a revolution which will overthrow the state, with dictatorship of the proletariat, where a society of complete social and gender equality would be embedded.
126
What did Feminism believe about society?
It believed the vast majority of power within economic, political, religious, educational and social institutions are held by men.
127
What were the features of a patriarchal society?
Men held positions of authority in politics and business, women have more junior roles. Senior men favour other men when making appointments and promotions. Men run media outlets, reinforcing patriarchal norms in their articles.
128
How do Liberal feminists want to reform patriarchal societies?
Through political, social and cultural change.
129
How do Radical and socialist feminists want to reform patriarchal societies?
They attack patriarchal values, taking a more confrontational approach.
130
What does equality feminism want?
Complete parity for men and women.
131
What did equality feminism believe about inequality in society?
Inequalities which remain in society continue to give men the upper hand.
132
What did Difference feminism argue?
That men and women are different, and this should be accepted. Most believe women are different but equal to men. They believe that a society with women in charge provides superior care for its' children.
133
Which economic policies do most feminists believe in?
An end to the gender pay gap. Women being promoted to the highest levels in organisations, smashing the glass ceiling. No jobs considered off limits for women - women are just as capable as men.
134
What are the other feminist views of the economy?
Women have worked outside the home, but usually only did it out of economic necessity. Women earned less than men. Socialist feminists believed that the market economy denied equality of opportunity to women.
135
What did Feminists believe about women being reserve armies of labour?
The existence of a reserve army of labour enables employers to keep wages low, because their current workforces are very easily replaceable.
