Feminism - Radical Flashcards
Name a couple of key terms of radical Feminism
Political lesbianism, separatism, matrilocal families, oppression.
Who are the key thinkers of radical feminism?
Shulamith Firestone & Germaine Greer
What does Shulamith Firestone say about radical Feminism?
The traditional nuclear family structure is the reason for women’s oppression, pregnancy is barbaric and raising children is a nightmare women have to accept.
What does Germaine Greer say about radical Feminism?
Women are separated into three categories, wives, daughters and mothers. Heterosexual relationships are wrong because it is ‘sleeping with the enemy’, so there should be only female households as an alternative to the nuclear family. Argues for the creation of all female or ‘matrilocal’ households.
What does Germaine Greer say about women being treated as wives?
The image of love and marriage is a myth, which is demonstrated by women being most popular to file for divorce.
What does Germaine Greer say about women being treated as mothers?
Women sacrifice themselves for their children yet many are abandoned by them when they are elderly.
What does Germaine Greer say about women being treated as daughters?
Child abuse statistics demonstrate that women are at more of a risk to females, so they are not entirely safe.
What is an outline view of radical feminism?
Society is patriarchal, and patriarchy is deeply entrenched in the traditional family structure so to achieve equality this structure needs to be changed. Women should practice political lesbianism. Family is the problem to women’s oppression so it should be abolished through separatism. Men practice dominance on females such as wives and children.
Why would Germaine Greer’s say about women being treated in three different categories be almost impossible in modern society?
Not all women are mothers and wives, they can choose whatever they want to be now.
Why does radical feminists not agree with the ‘housewife; status/role?
It is a low status and unpaid position, it is the theft of women’s freedom in cases and it can control women’s sexual activity through violence etc.
What could be some advantages of this radical feminism?
- Shows that housework is real work
- Reveals the existence of martial violence
- Challenges notions of symmetry
- Introduces issues that people have in family relationships and class, assuming gender unties women from all backgrounds.
What are some criticisms of radical feminism?
- Tends to overlook that the position of women has changed in society over time (liberal feminism)
- Assumes that gender unites women
- Ignores the real satisfactions that family can give to many women
why could political lesbianism be a bad thing?
It will stop the reproduction of children which could end the race but also damage work forces etc.
