Feminism Key Terms Flashcards
What is Cultural Feminism?
A version of difference feminism that challenges the domination of male culture and promotes female values as more important
Who was Simone de Beauvoir?
Existential feminist KEY thinker who argued that society defined female characteristics and their roles
What is difference feminism?
The idea that women and men are biologically and culturally different and that this should be celebrated
What is equality feminism?
The argument for an elimination of cultural differences in the pursuit of absolute equality
What is ‘equality of opportunity’?
Everyone having the same life chances in society
What is Essentialism?
The belief that biological differences between men and women lead to distinct differences in their fundamental nature
What was ‘first-wave’ feminism?
The wave that focused on the legal and political rights of women
What is gender to feminists?
The defining of certain roles/qualities and personality based on a person’s sex
What is gender equality?
Men and women should be treated the same and full cultural equality within society
What are gender stereotypes?
The idea that women’s roles are pre-determined by society so that they are socialised to behave in a certain way
Who was Charlotte Perkins Gilman?
Early Feminist KEY thinker who argued for equality of opportunity and felt life as a housewife amounted to ‘domestic slavery’
Who was bell hooks?
Third-wave/post-modern KEY feminist who came up with the idea of ‘intersectionality’
What is intersectionality?
The idea that discrimination against women varies due to factors such as race, sexuality, class and ethnicity
What is legal equality?
The treatment of everyone the same in the eyes of the law
What is Liberal feminism?
Sees individualism as the basis of gender equality
Looks to reform current systems and believes this will lead to the required cultural and societal change
Who was Kate Millett?
Radical KEY feminist who believed that sexual relationships (and sexuality) as well as society enforced the patriarchy
What is misogyny?
A dislike for and contempt for women
What is the idea of ‘Otherness’?
Women are treated as an inferior minority who are subordinate to men
What is Patriarchy?
A system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it
What is Political equality?
Women having the same rights to vote and hold political office
What is Post-Modern feminism?
Argues that patriarchy manifests in different ways depending on a woman’s race, class etc.
What is the ‘Private Sphere’?
The area of society where relationships are seen as private - centred on domestic life
What is the ‘Public Sphere’?
The visible aspects of life - such as the workplace and civic life
What is Radical feminism?
Believes that the biggest problem facing society is gender inequality and this can only be changed by a revolutionary change
What does ‘Reserve army of labour’ mean?
The idea that women constitute a spare workforce that can be called upon when required
Who was Sheila Rowbotham?
Socialist feminist KEY thinker who believed capitalism used women and needed women to be oppressed
What is ‘Second-wave’ feminism?
Looked to challenge gender roles and challenge the patriarchy
What is sex to feminists?
The biological difference between men and women
What is Socialist feminism?
Believes that gender inequality stems from economics and that capitalism creates patriarchy
What was the Suffrage campaign?
The early 20th century campaign to gain votes for women
