Feminism- Core ideas and principles Flashcards
Equality feminism
Argues for an elimination of cultural differences between the genders and a pursuit of absolute equality. Liberal, radical, socialist and postmodern feminists all have different visions of how this will be achieved.
Difference feminists
Perceive women as biologically and culturally different. They argue that these differences need to be recognised and celebrated.
Essentialism
The idea that biological factors determine the different characters and behaviours of men and women, so that certain behaviours are ‘natural and not socially constructed.
What are the five key feminist principles?
- Sex and gender
- Patriarchy
- The personal is political
- Equality feminism and difference feminism
- Intersectionality
How does feminism differentiate between sex and gender?
Sex refers to biological differences, while gender explains societal roles assigned to men and women.
What does “sex” refer to in feminism?
•Biological differences between men and women.
•Includes physical attributes, chromosomes, and hormone prevalence.
•Assigned at birth.
What do most feminists argue about women’s “nature”?
That it is socially constructed and determined by society, not biology.
What debates exist within feminism regarding sex?
•Difference feminism vs. equality feminism.
•Transfeminism vs. transfeminist skepticism.
What does “gender” explain in feminism?
The roles a society gives to men and women, which form gender stereotypes.
What did Simone de Beauvoir argue about gender roles?
Biological differences have been used to justify predetermined gender roles by a male-dominated state and society.
What did Charlotte Perkins Gilman argue about gender roles?
They are socially constructed from a young age, subordinating women to men’s will.
What did Kate Millett and bell hooks say about social construction?
•It begins in childhood within the family unit.
•Women have multiple identities beyond gender, leading to multiple oppressions like racism and class exploitation.
What did Sheila Rowbotham argue about women’s consciousness?
It is created by men as part of the capitalist machine.
How does feminism define patriarchy?
A social system enabling male domination and female subordination.
What did Simone de Beauvoir argue about patriarchy?
It has been present throughout most of human history.
How do liberal feminists view patriarchy?
They believe it can be reformed by the state through measures like female emancipation, workplace equality, and legal reforms.
What did Kate Millett believe about patriarchy?
It granted men ownership over their wives.
How do socialist feminists view patriarchy?
Female consciousness is created by men as part of capitalism, and the solution lies in a revolution to destroy both capitalism and patriarchy.
What does “the personal is political” mean in feminism?
It highlights how personal life is influenced by political structures like patriarchy.
How do liberal feminists view “the personal is political”?
They focus on public sphere equality but recognize its impact on private life conditions.
How do radical feminists view “the personal is political”?
They argue patriarchy is prevalent in the private sphere, especially in family life.
What did Charlotte Perkins Gilman say about domestic roles?
They are exploitative in nature.
What did Sheila Rowbotham compare marriage to?
Feudalism, with women as serfs paying dues to their husbands.
What did Simone de Beauvoir champion for women?
Contraception, as it gave women control over their bodies and avoided endless childbirth.
What did Kate Millett believe about the family?
•It is a social construct, not a natural arrangement.
•It socializes young people into masculine authority and female marginalization.
What do equality feminists believe?
Biological differences are inconsequential, and gender differences are socially constructed, meaning no specific feminine traits exist.
What did Simone de Beauvoir say about innate female characteristics?
They are a myth invented by men to oppress women.
What is the focus of equality feminism?
Pursuing equality between men and women.
What do difference feminists believe?
Biological differences determine gender differences (essentialism).
What did bell hooks criticize about second-wave feminism?
It was conceptualized from a white, middle-class, university-educated perspective, excluding concerns of minority groups.
What did bell hooks argue about feminist ideology?
It was appropriated by elitist, racist, white women, marginalizing minority voices.
How did hooks’ ideas inspire Kimberlé Crenshaw?
They led to the development of intersectionality theory, challenging the idea that gender is the most important factor in understanding women’s lives.
What does intersectionality suggest?
Women can face oppression in overlapping areas such as gender, class, race, sexuality, disability, or transgender identity.
What does bell hooks argue about women’s identities?
Every woman has multiple identities, and solidarity is more communal than the singular notion of “sisterhood.”
