Feminist Theories

Question 1

How do feminists view society?

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Question 2

When was the first wave of feminism?

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Question 3

What do feminists mean by ‘malestream’ sociology?

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Question 4

From what viewpoint do feminists examine society?

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Question 5

What are liberals concerned with?

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Question 6

What is reformism?

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Question 7

Briefly explain the following type of change proposed by liberal feminists:
- Laws and policies

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Question 8

Briefly explain the following type of change proposed by liberal feminists:
- Cultural change

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Question 9

Define sex.

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Question 10

Define gender.

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Question 11

Briefly explain the ways in which gender can vary between cultures and over time. Use an example to illustrate your answer.

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Question 12

According to liberal feminists, how are sexists attitudes and stereotypical beliefs transmitted?

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Question 13

What are the two ways through which liberal feminists believe society will progress towards gender equality?

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Question 14

Briefly outline instrumental roles.

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Question 15

Briefly outline expressive roles.

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Question 16

According to Parsons, which ‘roles’ are the domain of men and which of women?

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Question 17

In what way do liberal feminists disagree with Parsons’ view of gender roles?

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Question 18

Why might liberal feminism be seen as a consensus approach?

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Question 19

What aspects of society have liberal feminists highlighted in their research?

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Question 20

Why are liberal feminists accused of being over-optimistic?

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Question 21

Define patriarchy.

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Question 22

Briefly explain the three claims made by radical feminists.

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Question 23

What do radical feminists mean by sexual politics?

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Question 24

How does the example of women not going out alone at night illustrate patriarchal power?

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Question 25

According to radical feminists, in what way does patriarchy construct sexuality? Give an example to illustrate your answer.

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Question 26

Briefly outline the following solution to women’s oppression proposed by radical feminists:
- Separatism

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Question 27

Briefly outline the following solution to women’s oppression proposed by radical feminists:
- Consciousness-raising

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Question 28

Briefly outline the following solution to women’s oppression proposed by radical feminists:
- Political lesbianism

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Question 29

Why do Marxists criticise radical feminists?

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Question 30

What other social factors does radical feminism ignore?

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Question 31

Why does Pollert believe that the concept of patriarchy is of little value?

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Question 32

Why does Somerville think separatism is unlikely?

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Question 33

According to liberal feminists, what evidence is there for patriarchy being in decline?

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Question 34

What types of violence does radical feminism ignore?

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Question 35

According to Marxism feminism, what is the cause of women’s subordination?

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Question 36

Briefly outline the following function that women’s subordination performs:
- Women are a source of cheap, exploitable labour.

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Question 37

Briefly outline the following function that women’s subordination performs:
- Women are a reserve army of labour.

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Question 38

Briefly outline the following function that women’s subordination performs:
- Women reproduce the labour force.

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Question 39

Briefly outline the following function that women’s subordination performs:
- Women absorb anger.

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Question 40

According to Barrett, why must we take non-economic factors into account to understand women’s position in the family?

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Question 41

Briefly explain what Barrett means by the ideology of familism.

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Question 42

In addition to the overthrow of capitalism, what else is required to secure women’s liberation?

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Question 43

According to Mitchell, why would it be hard to overcome patriarchy even after the overthrow of capitalism?

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Question 44

Briefly outline four criticisms of Marxist feminism.

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Question 45

Briefly explain what is meant by patriarchal capitalism.

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Question 46

According to dual systems feminism, how can women’s subordination be understood? Give an example to illustrate this.

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Question 47

According to Walby, how might the interests of patriarchy and capitalism differ? Use an example to illustrate this point.

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Question 48

According to Pollert, how does patriarchy differ from capitalism?

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Question 49

Briefly outline how difference feminism has a different view of women from other feminist perspectives.

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Question 50

Using the example of black women, explain why difference feminists would reject the idea of the family as a source of oppression.

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Question 51

Briefly explain what is meant by essentialism.

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Question 52

What is the problem of taking an essentialist view of women? use an example to illustrate your answer.

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Question 53

What are ‘discourses’?

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Question 54

Using an example, explain how the power to define others gives power over those who are defined.

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Question 55

Why does Butler see the Enlightenment ideals as a form of power/knowledge?

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Question 56

According to Butler, why are Western feminists wrong to claim that the feminist movement represents ‘universal womanhood’?

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Question 57

Why does poststructuralism suggest there is no fixed essence of what it is to be a woman? Give an example to illustrate this point.

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Question 58

According to Butler, what advantage does poststructuralism offer for feminism?

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Question 59

According to Butler, what are the advantages of stressing a diversity of discourses?

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Question 60

In what way does Walby criticise poststructuralist views?

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Question 61

Why is the division of women into subgroups a problem for feminism?

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Question 62

What is Segal’s criticism of poststructuralism feminism?

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