Feminist Theories Flashcards
How do feminists view society?
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When was the first wave of feminism?
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What do feminists mean by ‘malestream’ sociology?
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From what viewpoint do feminists examine society?
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What are liberals concerned with?
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What is reformism?
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Briefly explain the following type of change proposed by liberal feminists:
- Laws and policies
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Briefly explain the following type of change proposed by liberal feminists:
- Cultural change
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Define sex.
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Define gender.
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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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According to liberal feminists, how are sexists attitudes and stereotypical beliefs transmitted?
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What are the two ways through which liberal feminists believe society will progress towards gender equality?
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Briefly outline instrumental roles.
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Briefly outline expressive roles.
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According to Parsons, which ‘roles’ are the domain of men and which of women?
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In what way do liberal feminists disagree with Parsons’ view of gender roles?
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Why might liberal feminism be seen as a consensus approach?
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What aspects of society have liberal feminists highlighted in their research?
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Why are liberal feminists accused of being over-optimistic?
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Define patriarchy.
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Briefly explain the three claims made by radical feminists.
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What do radical feminists mean by sexual politics?
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How does the example of women not going out alone at night illustrate patriarchal power?
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According to radical feminists, in what way does patriarchy construct sexuality? Give an example to illustrate your answer.
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Briefly outline the following solution to women’s oppression proposed by radical feminists:
- Separatism
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Briefly outline the following solution to women’s oppression proposed by radical feminists:
- Consciousness-raising
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Briefly outline the following solution to women’s oppression proposed by radical feminists:
- Political lesbianism
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Why do Marxists criticise radical feminists?
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What other social factors does radical feminism ignore?
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Why does Pollert believe that the concept of patriarchy is of little value?
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Why does Somerville think separatism is unlikely?
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According to liberal feminists, what evidence is there for patriarchy being in decline?
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What types of violence does radical feminism ignore?
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According to Marxism feminism, what is the cause of women’s subordination?
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Briefly outline the following function that women’s subordination performs:
- Women are a source of cheap, exploitable labour.
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Briefly outline the following function that women’s subordination performs:
- Women are a reserve army of labour.
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Briefly outline the following function that women’s subordination performs:
- Women reproduce the labour force.
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Briefly outline the following function that women’s subordination performs:
- Women absorb anger.
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According to Barrett, why must we take non-economic factors into account to understand women’s position in the family?
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Briefly explain what Barrett means by the ideology of familism.
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In addition to the overthrow of capitalism, what else is required to secure women’s liberation?
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According to Mitchell, why would it be hard to overcome patriarchy even after the overthrow of capitalism?
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Briefly outline four criticisms of Marxist feminism.
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Briefly explain what is meant by patriarchal capitalism.
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According to dual systems feminism, how can women’s subordination be understood? Give an example to illustrate this.
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According to Walby, how might the interests of patriarchy and capitalism differ? Use an example to illustrate this point.
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According to Pollert, how does patriarchy differ from capitalism?
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Briefly outline how difference feminism has a different view of women from other feminist perspectives.
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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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Briefly explain what is meant by essentialism.
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What is the problem of taking an essentialist view of women? use an example to illustrate your answer.
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What are ‘discourses’?
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Using an example, explain how the power to define others gives power over those who are defined.
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Why does Butler see the Enlightenment ideals as a form of power/knowledge?
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According to Butler, why are Western feminists wrong to claim that the feminist movement represents ‘universal womanhood’?
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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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According to Butler, what advantage does poststructuralism offer for feminism?
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According to Butler, what are the advantages of stressing a diversity of discourses?
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In what way does Walby criticise poststructuralist views?
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Why is the division of women into subgroups a problem for feminism?
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What is Segal’s criticism of poststructuralism feminism?
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