Feminism

Question 1

Is there more than 1 type of feminism?

Answer 1

Yes, while they all have a focus on gender and inequality, they vary in terms of how they understand the impact of gender on the structure of society and on individuals.

Question 2

When looking at religion, what are the 2 types of feminism that we focus on?

Answer 2

Liberal and Radical.

Question 3

Outline Radical Feminists approach to religion.

Answer 3

Religion is used to reinforce patriarchal ideology.

Question 4

Outline Liberal Feminists approach to religion.

Answer 4

They argue that there are religious forms of feminism & that they can use religion to liberate themselves. Women are still oppressed but there has been a MOP.

Question 5

Since when have women been allowed to be ordained as Priests in the C of E?

Answer 5

1992

Question 6

Since when have women been allowed to be ordained as Bishops in the C of E?

Answer 6

2014

Question 7

What should you not do when talking about the key thinkers in relation to Feminism?

Answer 7

DON’T CALL THEM FEMINISTS! Apparently it is a lot more complicated than that. (ask Laura why)

Question 8

What is the concept which is used to describe how women can see the higher positions in the church but can’t meet them?

Answer 8

Stained glass ceiling.

Question 9

Why is the way many religious groups organised oppressive to women?

Answer 9

Many religious groups are often organised on a hierarchy which excludes women or leaves them in subordinate positions.

Question 10

Give an example of religions which oppress women through the structural hierarchy.

Answer 10

Women are excluded or oppressed in the structural hierarchy or both Orthodox Judaism and Catholicism. In these religions women are still not allowed to to become priests, despite the fact that women make up the majority of those engaging in religious practices + beliefs.

Question 11

What does Woodhead argue that the structural hierarchies reflect?

Answer 11

Woodhead argues that this reflects general religious rejection and unease about the liberation of women in wider society.

Question 12

How is the structural hierarchy of religions becoming more liberating for women? Give an example.

Answer 12

Some religions are becoming more egalitarian by allowing women to be included in the organisational hierarchy. In the C of E women have been allowed to be ordained as priests since 1992 and Bishops since 2014, however only 1/5 priests are female still.

Question 13

What does Walby argue in relation to religious teachings?

Answer 13

Walby argues that women’s denial of power is also reflected in religious teachings which encourage women to fulfil the domestic housewife role. She argues that many of the world’s religions such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam teach that a women’s place is in the nurturing role of being a mother and a housewife.

Question 14

Give an example of how Christianity encourages women to fulfil the housewife role // (Walby)

Answer 14

The mother figure of the Virgin Mary. She is seen as an admirable role model for women.

Question 15

What does Woodhead argue in relation to religious teachings?

Answer 15

Woodhead is critical of Walby’s views, arguing that for some women religion provides a clear role + status in the family, making them feel valued + giving them a purpose in life.

Question 16

What did Woodhead and Heelas discover about Orthodox Judaism?

Answer 16

They found that many women converted to Orthodox Judaism as by being given a clear role to fulfil, they were removed from the conflicting roles placed on them in modern life.

Question 17

When was the veil that covers woman’s face banned in France?

Answer 17

2011

Question 18

Which is another common practice is many religions that oppresses women?

Answer 18

It is common practice in many world religions for women to have fewer rights than men,

Question 19

How is the divorce system in Islam oppressive to women?

Answer 19

In Islam men have easier access to divorce than women. Men simply have to say ‘Talaq’ or ‘I divorce you’ 3 times and they can divorce their wife without reason or explanation. // Women on the other hand have to go through the court + must prove serious misconduct in order to divorce their husbands.

Question 20

Apart from the ‘Triple Talaq’, give another example of how Islam oppresses women. // (In relation to relationships)

Answer 20

It is also common for men to be allowed multiple wives whereas women are permitted 1 husband, such as in the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons).

Question 21

What does Aldridge argue?

Answer 21

Aldridge argues that Islam is oppressive through the veiling of women. Aldridge sees the veil as a powerful symbol of oppression as it strips women of their identity - it leaves them invisible and forces anonymity.

Question 22

Other than Islam what religions practice the veiling of women?

Answer 22

Judaism and Christianity (nuns).

Question 23

How does Watson criticise the view that veiling women is oppressive?

Answer 23

Watson argues that the interpretation is ethnocentric, ignoring that many Muslim women wear the veil as a symbol of liberation. She conducted in depth research and found that many Muslim women find the veil advantageous as it allows them to enter the public sphere while avoiding the male gaze.

Question 24

How do religious images oppress women?

Answer 24

They portray women as polluting, corrupting and promiscuous.

Question 25

Give an example of how Christianity portrays women negatively through religious images?

Answer 25

The story on Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis. Eve is portrayed as a temptress who encourages Adam to sin, leading to the start of ‘the fall of man’.

Question 26

What does Aldridge not that is present in many religions, with regards to a women’s sexuality?

Answer 26

In many religions sexual pleasure, especially for women, is condemned and sexuality for non-reproductive purposes is prohibited.

Question 27

What has the prohibition of sexuality for non-reproductive purposes lead to?

Answer 27

It has resulted in Female Genital Mutilation in some Islamic, Christian and Jewish faiths. This can also be reflected in the Catholic rejection of contraception.

Question 28

What does Home note?

Give an example.

Answer 28

Home notes that women’s menstruation is nearly always seen as polluting.

In Hinduism and Islam, women are actually forbidden from entering sacred places during their monthly periods.

Question 29

How has Feminism contributed to our understanding of religion?

Answer 29

A key strength is that it considers how religion can be both oppressive and liberating for women, and so it is useful in providing an understanding of how different religions can have different functions for individuals.

Question 30

How would Functionalists criticise Feminism?

Answer 30

They believe that religion isn’t oppressive and provides social stability and promotes core values, They see religion as beneficial to both individuals and society as a whole.

Question 31

How would Marxists criticise Feminism?

Answer 31

They would agree that religion is oppressive but that the oppression lies with in the class system. They would criticise feminists for ignoring the economic base and the fact that religion reinforces capitalism.

Question 32

What do neither liberal or radical feminists suggest about religion?

Answer 32

Neither position suggests that religion can challenge patriarchy fully, nor that religion will cause society to become equal.

Question 33

What is a complex issue when talking about if religion is liberating or oppressive for women?

Answer 33

The veil.
It has been banned in France (2011) and in other European countries and has been a complex, controversial issue of discussion.