Feminist views on identity

Question 1

What are the five points of the Feminist views on Identity?

Answer 1

1. Gender is the key source of identity.
2. This gender identity is single and fixed
3. Agents of socialisation transmit patriarchal ideology which teaches us what identities are suitable for our gender
4. Gender identities keep women subordinate and men dominant.
5. Oakley called this gender role socialisation

Question 2

How have Feminists been criticised for their definition of Identity?

Answer 2

Feminists have been criticised for focusing on gender to the exclusion of other social statuses. Difference feminists, for example, argue that other sources of identity and inequality are more important, e.g. ethnicity and sexuality.