Feminism Flashcards
What is feminism generally?
An ideology that aims for gender equality
From which strand of feminism do core ideas about sex and gender largely stem?
Radical feminism
What was the focus of first-wave feminism (1850s–1940s)?
Legal and political rights of women
What was the focus of second-wave feminism (1960s–1980s)?
Different social roles expected of men and women
Name some books associated with second-wave feminism?
The Second Sex
What was the concern of third-wave feminism (1990s)?
Feminism’s failure to recognize concerns of women of other cultures
Who wrote about the experiences of women of color in third-wave feminism?
bell hooks in Ain’t I a Woman
What is fourth-wave feminism (2008 onwards) seen as a reaction against?
Online misogyny
Give examples of online projects associated with fourth-wave feminism?
The Everyday Sexism Project and Project Unbreakable
What do feminists argue about gender stereotypes despite biological differences?
There is no justification for them
In what type of society are gender roles seen as keeping women inferior?
A patriarchal society
What does ‘sex’ refer to according to feminists?
Biological differences between men and women
Give examples of biological differences defining sex?
Body shape
What categories are used to classify sex?
Male and female
What does ‘gender’ refer to according to feminists?
Social and cultural differences between men and women
What categories are used to classify gender?
Masculine and feminine
Do gender expectations remain the same across time and culture?
No
Give examples of gendered roles traditionally associated with men?
Doctor
Give examples of gendered roles traditionally associated with women?
Wife
How are women traditionally seen in relation to men’s roles?
As caregivers and supporters
Which sphere of gender roles do feminists identify as causing the most harm?
Gender roles in the home
What did Sheryl Sandberg say about ‘bossy’ girls?
They should be told they have leadership skills
What is a potential dispute regarding sex and gender?
Whether they are natural biological issues or not
How could it be argued the state has played a role in sex and gender?
By passing laws against discrimination and promoting positive roles for women
What does the issue of sex and gender refer to for feminists?
How they see patriarchal society and how they want to change it
How has women’s role in the economy changed as gender roles became less demarcated?
It has expanded
What is feminism generally?
An ideology that aims for gender equality
From which strand of feminism do core ideas about sex and gender largely stem?
Radical feminism
What was the focus of first-wave feminism (1850s–1940s)?
Legal and political rights of women
What was the focus of second-wave feminism (1960s–1980s)?
Different social roles expected of men and women
Name some books associated with second-wave feminism?
The Second Sex
What was the concern of third-wave feminism (1990s)?
Feminism’s failure to recognize concerns of women of other cultures
Who wrote about the experiences of women of color in third-wave feminism?
bell hooks in Ain’t I a Woman
What is fourth-wave feminism (2008 onwards) seen as a reaction against?
Online misogyny
Give examples of online projects associated with fourth-wave feminism?
The Everyday Sexism Project and Project Unbreakable
What do feminists argue about gender stereotypes despite biological differences?
There is no justification for them
In what type of society are gender roles seen as keeping women inferior?
A patriarchal society
What does ‘sex’ refer to according to feminists?
Biological differences between men and women
Give examples of biological differences defining sex?
Body shape
What categories are used to classify sex?
Male and female
What does ‘gender’ refer to according to feminists?
Social and cultural differences between men and women
What categories are used to classify gender?
Masculine and feminine
Do gender expectations remain the same across time and culture?
No
Give examples of gendered roles traditionally associated with men?
Doctor
Give examples of gendered roles traditionally associated with women?
Wife
How are women traditionally seen in relation to men’s roles?
As caregivers and supporters
Which sphere of gender roles do feminists identify as causing the most harm?
Gender roles in the home
What did Sheryl Sandberg say about ‘bossy’ girls?
They should be told they have leadership skills
What is a potential dispute regarding sex and gender?
Whether they are natural biological issues or not
How could it be argued the state has played a role in sex and gender?
By passing laws against discrimination and promoting positive roles for women
What does the issue of sex and gender refer to for feminists?
How they see patriarchal society and how they want to change it
How has women’s role in the economy changed as gender roles became less demarcated?
It has expanded
What is the main distinction between equality and difference feminism?
Whether differences between men and women are relevant or innate
What do equality feminists believe about the differences between men and women?
They are irrelevant
What is another name for difference feminism?
Essentialism
What do difference feminists argue about the differences between men and women?
They are innate (natural)
What do difference feminists criticize equality feminism for?
Encouraging women to reject ‘womanhood’ and try to be like men
According to equality feminism
are men and women basically the same?
According to equality feminism
are male and female characteristics natural?
What do equality feminists believe women should do regarding gender roles?
Throw them off and take an equal place alongside men
According to difference feminism
are men and women fundamentally different?
According to difference feminism
how do women approach things compared to men?
What unique perspective do difference feminists believe women have?
Based on their role as creators of life
What do difference feminists encourage women to do?
Explore their own unique characteristics rather than act like men
What kind of world do difference feminists seek to create?
One where men and women’s different characters are equally important
What do some extreme difference feminists argue for?
Men and women to live separately
When did intersectionality in feminism emerge?
In the 1980s
What did intersectionality criticize traditional feminism for?
Considering only white
What did intersectionality suggest feminism needed to embrace?
Women of different ethnicities
Who identified the intersectionality movement among others?
bell hooks
What did bell hooks argue about the feminist movement up to that point?
It had left ‘women of colour’ and others feeling estranged
Why did these women feel estranged?
Their experience of oppression differed from that discussed by mainstream feminism
What does intersectionality refer to regarding feminism’s evolution in society?
Traditional feminism ignored all but white
What economic aspect does intersectional feminism need to embrace?
The position of women in developing-world economies
Why did bell hooks choose not to capitalize her name?
To focus on her work and ideas
What was liberal feminism initially associated with?
The demand for women’s right to vote
What are core ideas of liberal feminism?
Individualism
What did liberal feminists like Betty Friedan believe women should have?
The freedom and chances to become autonomous individuals and fulfill their potential
What did Friedan discuss in The Feminine Mystique?
‘The problem with no name’ leading women to question their roles
What types of equality did Friedan fight for?
Legal
What does socialist feminism believe is the root of gender inequality?
Economics and capitalism
What are core ideas of socialist feminism?
Eradication of capitalism
Why do socialist feminists believe capitalism subordinates women?
To serve as a reserve army of labor
How do socialist feminists believe women will be liberated?
Through a socialist revolution removing capitalism
What is socialist feminism’s stance on societal change?
It requires fundamental or radical change
How do socialist feminists view marriage and family?
As key areas of women’s oppression
Who is a key thinker in socialist feminism?
Juliet Mitchell
How did early socialist feminism view the relationship between capitalism and patriarchy?
Capitalism creates patriarchy
How do modern socialist feminists like Mitchell view the relationship between capitalism and patriarchy?
They work side by side as dual systems of female oppression
In what four ways does Mitchell argue women are oppressed?
Reproduction
What does Mitchell argue women should fight to create a classless society?
Both capitalism and patriarchy
When will women be truly free according to Mitchell?
When all four areas of oppression are transformed
Can Betty Friedan be considered a key thinker in both Liberalism and Liberal feminism?
Yes
How do radical feminists define society?
Solely as patriarchal
What do radical feminists believe is the biggest problem facing society?
Gender inequality
What unites radical feminists?
The insistence that patriarchy is the single source of female oppression
What views of feminism do radical feminists reject?
Liberal and socialist views that link feminism with other ideologies
How do radical feminists view patriarchy?
As an independent system of oppression
What do radical feminists believe is needed to remove patriarchy and free women?
A radical sexual revolution
What does the term ‘the personal is political’ highlight for radical feminists?
That patriarchy pervades every aspect of society
Who wrote about ‘otherness’ in relation to women?
Simone de Beauvoir
Whose work focused on sexuality from a radical feminist perspective?
Germaine Greer
Which radical feminist explored reproduction?
Shulamith Firestone
Who is known for their views on pornography?
Andrea Dworkin
Whose work brought attention to rape?
Susan Brownmiller
Which radical feminist analysed literature through a gender lens?
Kate Millett
Whose work addressed domestic violence?
Erin Pizzey
Which radical feminist examined beauty standards?
Naomi Wolf
What is the vast majority of radical feminists considered?
‘Equality’ radical feminists
What are some equality radical feminists’ criticisms of difference feminists?
Giving men an excuse to restrict women and turning women away from feminism
What is another name for difference feminism?
Cultural feminism or essentialism
How do difference feminists view women’s nature?
As distinct and female
What do difference feminists encourage women to do?
Embrace their female values
What do difference feminists seek to create?
A world where different male and female characters are equally important
What do separatist feminists advocate?
Women separating themselves from men
Why do separatist feminists believe in separation?
They believe men are naturally predisposed to dominate women
What did Andrea Dworkin argue about pornography?
It was complicit in violence against women by encouraging male fantasies of domination
What did Dworkin passionately deny?
That she thought all men were rapists
What groundbreaking work did Erin Pizzey do?
On domestic violence
What did Pizzey found?
The first women’s refuge in Chiswick
What was the title of Pizzey’s book on domestic violence?
Scream Quietly or the Neighbours Will Hear (1974)
What did Pizzey’s book and accompanying documentary highlight?
Domestic violence and its being ignored by patriarchal society
What is post-modern feminism about?
Being different
What did post-modern feminism recognize regarding women’s experiences?
It’s impossible to generalize a single ‘women’s experience’ due to vast differences
To what concept is post-modern feminism linked?
Intersectionality
What does intersectionality highlight?
Women of different backgrounds have uniquely different experiences of patriarchal oppression
What did bell hooks criticize about second-wave ‘sisterhood’?
It gave voice to white
What is post-modern feminism about regarding women’s definitions?
Women being able to define feminism for themselves
What did Richards and Baumgardner argue in Manifesta?
Each generation of young women would rediscover and re-establish feminism’s meaning
What has the idea of post-modern feminism led to?
Many different interpretations of what being a ‘feminist’ is
What has this variety of interpretations caused?
A certain degree of conflicting views
What is one of the biggest areas of conflict in post-modern feminism?
Views towards nudity
What is one feminist perspective on public nudity?
It is degrading and oppressive to women
What is another feminist perspective on public nudity?
It is empowering
What is Femen known for?
Topless protests
What does Femen’s website state about female nudity free of patriarchy?
It is a grave-digger of the system
What do other feminists believe about public displays of female nudity?
They play into the hands of patriarchy and only titillate men
What event involving Emma Watson highlighted the conflict over nudity and feminism?
A row over her semi-topless Vanity Fair cover
What was the origin of SlutWalk?
A protest against excusing sexual assault by referring to a woman’s appearance after a police officer’s suggestion
What is another area of conflict in post-modern feminism?
The wearing of a burqa
How do many feminists view these forms of dress?
As a sign of patriarchal oppression forced on women
How do some Muslim women view these forms of dress?
As freeing them from the oppressive focus on appearance of Western society
How do liberal feminists view patriarchy?
Not as systematic oppression
How do liberal feminists view sex and gender?
As artificial distinctions; women are equally capable as men
How do liberal feminists view ‘the personal is political’?
They reject it
What type of feminism are most liberal feminists?
Equality feminists
How do liberal feminists view intersectionality?
All women should be treated equally regardless of background
What is the approach of liberal feminists to societal change?
Reformist; gradual change through legal and societal adjustments
How do socialist feminists view patriarchy?
As systematic oppression primarily caused by capitalism
How do socialist feminists view sex and gender?
As gender stereotypes to be eradicated as capitalism needs women for unpaid labor and other functions
How do socialist feminists view ‘the personal is political’?
They agree; women’s domesticity serves capitalist reproduction
What type of equality do socialist feminists believe in?
Sexual and class equality; one is meaningless without the other
Who do socialist feminists believe must unite?
All women and working-class men to remove capitalism and patriarchy
What is the approach of socialist feminists to societal change?
Revolutionary; only economic and social revolution will work
How do radical feminists view patriarchy?
As the deepest
How do radical feminists view sex and gender?
Gender roles are patriarchal constructs to subjugate women
How do radical feminists view ‘the personal is political’?
They strongly agree; male domination suppresses women in public and private
What are the main divisions within radical feminism on equality?
Most are equality feminists; some are difference feminists who reject replicating male behavior
How do radical feminists view intersectionality?
All women are equally oppressed by patriarchy
What is the approach of radical feminists to societal change?
Revolutionary; a social revolution is needed to eradicate entrenched patriarchal values
How do post-modern feminists view patriarchy?
As pervasive but mutating based on class
How do post-modern feminists view sex and gender?
Gender roles are societal constructs differing for various groups of women
How do post-modern feminists view ‘the personal is political’?
They support the radical view but see ‘politics’ in a wider context of power imbalance
What type of equality do post-modern feminists believe in?
Equality feminists; different experiences are crucial to understanding oppression
How do post-modern feminists view intersectionality?
Different groups of women experience different types of oppression
What is the approach of post-modern feminists to societal change?
They agree with radical feminists that oppression needs eradication
What do all feminists agree on (according to the table)?
(This is not explicitly stated in the provided table
Who was Charlotte Perkins Gilman?
An American socialist feminist
What can Gilman be used to discuss?
Socialist feminism
What did Gilman argue about societal pressure and gender stereotyping?
It starts in childhood and is wrong; boys and girls shouldn’t be pushed into different roles
What did Gilman believe was at the heart of women’s oppression?
Their economic dependence on husbands
Who was Simone de Beauvoir?
A writer and political activist
What can de Beauvoir be used to discuss?
Sex and gender roles
What did de Beauvoir argue about socialisation and becoming a woman?
‘One is not born
What concept did de Beauvoir develop regarding men and women?
Otherness: men are the norm and women are ‘other’
Who was Kate Millett?
A radical feminist
What is Sexual Politics credited with launching?
Radical feminism
What did Millett analyse the role of in patriarchy?
The traditional family
What can Millett be used to discuss?
Patriarchy
What did Millett argue about the family and patriarchal values?
The family and other influences reinforce them
What did Millett argue about the portrayal of women in art and literature?
Patriarchal culture degrades women
Who is bell hooks?
An American author and social activist
What did hooks campaign for?
The cultural concerns of women of color to be heard in mainstream feminism
What can hooks be used to discuss?
Intersectionality
What did hooks argue about gender and socialisation?
Children are forced into unnatural gender boxes
What did hooks argue about mainstream radical feminism?
It ignores women’s different cultural and class experiences
Who is Sheila Rowbotham?
A socialist feminist
What did Rowbotham argue was part of female oppression?
Capitalism
What can Rowbotham be used to discuss?
Economy
What did Rowbotham argue about sexism and capitalism?
Sexism predates capitalism but they are closely linked
How did Rowbotham view the family in a capitalist economy?
As a refuge for men from alienation
