Feminism strands 2 Flashcards
What do feminists believe about the state?
Don’t have such a distinctive theory. Although they believe state are accomplices to the exploitation of women in a patriarchal society.
Which particular feminists dislike the state and why?
Socialist feminists see the state as an agent of capitalism and, since this naturally exploits women, the state is the ultimate architect of exploitation
What would liberal feminists argue about the state?
Why should they get involved, when they themselves are dominated by men. Although for liberals, if men are part of the problem, they are also part of the solution
What improvements have been made for women through legislation?
-equality laws and constitutional principles, designed to impose gender equality in the public sphere
-anti discrimination legislation
-laws dealing with domestic violence
-imposition of education programmes in school curriculum
-female quotas introduced
What do radical feminists think about the state?
Such developments in legislation are welcome but superficial. They don’t address the systematic nature of discrimination, exploitation and inequality. Patriarchy is more persuasive than these reforms suggest and issues are deep rooted in patriarchal culture. This means the state is powerless, especially as it is a patriarchal institution itself
What are the three issues feminists address concerning society?
Patriarchy
Equality and difference feminism
Intersectionality
What do radical feminists compare a patriarchy to?
Like a capitalist economy in which workers are exploited, patriarchy leads to the exploitation of women. Therefore the removal of the patriarchy is vital to the emancipation of women
How can the patriarchy be destroyed in the eyes of radicals?
Not easy as it exists in every aspect of society. It therefore must be dealt with in one of two ways:
1. a full scale attack on the cultural values of society, possibly involving violet resistance to male domination
2. Through the creation of a female counter-culture, separate from a patriarchal society. This involves women living completely separate lives to men
How do liberal feminists think the patriarchy should be destroyed?
the solution is reform rather than revolution
For liberals, patriarchy is a characteristic of society rather than a fundamental and so society can be made less patriarchal through peaceful political and cultural action
What do equality feminists want?
They seek equality for women in all spheres- most describe themselves as liberals
What do difference feminists want?
They realize men and women have fundamental differences and they think these should be recognised in society. Most don’t accept one gender is superior, arguing simply that they are different and that those differences should be embraced
What do more radical difference feminists believe?
They claim the attributes of women, like their caring nature are superior to male characteristics and so a world dominated by women would therefore be better.
Children would be looked after more, there would be less violence and wars and maybe even women are able to look after the environment better
Why do equality feminists think difference feminists are wrong?
Difference automatically leads to inequality and if there is any inequality then it’s inevitable that men will benefit
What is Simone De Beauvoir’s famous work?
The second sex
What is a quote from Simone de Beauvoir about male superiority?
‘society, being codified by a man, decrees that women is inferior; she can do away with this inferiority only by destroying the male’s superiority’
What kind of thinker is Beauvoir?
Existential
For too long, women had lived their lives in bad faith, imposed upon them by men
What is existentialism?
It set the freedom of people against the constrictions placed on one by the moral and religious world and encouraged them to combat such restrictions by imposing their own will upon life. Failing to do so is called ‘bad faith’ but exceeding is known as ‘authenticity’.
What is Beauvoir’s idea of women as Other?
The idea that otherness was that men have characterized women as different, but different in a way of men’s choosing, not the choosing of women themselves
What is Beauvoir’s quote about women’s development and what is the problem with this? This helps sun up the whole of early second wave feminism.
‘Women are made, not born’ The problem is they are made by men
What does de Beauvoir argue in her book about girls human nature and freedom?
She rejects the notion girls are born with a caring nature, rather, they learn it from their parents and school. In existential terms, their freedom to choose their own way is removed almost from birth and the role they play (even in personal relationships) are determined by men
What was de Beauvoir’s solution to women feeling oppressed and othered?
First, women must be given the same opportunities as men, so they can escape the drudgery of housework and a role as a sex slave. This will be largely achieved by education, economic freedom, state funded childcare, abortion and widespread contraception
However, as well, women must liberate themselves and must seek sexual liberation from the structure of the nuclear family
What is intersectionality? It’s a contemporary post modern idea.
The oppression faced by black women is different from the experience of a white women, because women have complex identities aside from their sex and gender. Problems of oppression can also be intertwined with ethnicity, sexual orientation, social class and religion.
How is traditional feminism different to modern thinking in terms of race?
Traditional feminism suggests that gender is everything, but this is a false perspective on women
Who is bell hooks?
Radical black American feminist, known for her work on intersectionality. She can be considered as a post modern feminist
