Feminism Key terms

Question 1

Sex and Gender

Answer 1

• Believe that gender is learned behaviour imposed by society
• Gender roles keep women in a subordinate position

Question 2

Patriarchy (3)

Answer 2

• Society dominated by men and run in the interests of men
• Systematic oppression and pervasive
• System of interrelated social structures that allow men to exploit women

Question 3

6 structures of Patriarchy by Sylvia Walby

Answer 3

• state
• culture
• sexuality
• household
• violence
• paid work

Question 4

“the personal is the political” (2)

Answer 4

• Private sphere part of a system that seeks to repress women
• Millet: family was “patriarchy’s chief institution”

Question 5

Difference feminism / essentialists (3)

Answer 5

• Men and women fundamentally different
• Celebrate women’s qualities and create a more female oriented culture
• Accept and respect female qualities

Question 6

Essentialism

Answer 6

Belief that biological factors are significant in the different behaviour of men and women

Question 7

Cultural feminism

Answer 7

seeks to challenge male dominated culture by promoting women’s values

Question 8

Intersectionality (2)

Answer 8

• criticises previous feminism for IGNORING black and working class experiences of patriarchy
• bell hooks disputed the idea that women were a homogenous category

Question 9

What equality feminists want to create

Answer 9

“genderless personhood”