Gender Flashcards
Socialisation and its impact on tradition and the presentation of gender
Socialisation refers to the lifelong process by which we have to earn the norms of society. One way socialisation may have had an impact on western society and the way in which we refer to gender is through the heavy emphasis on gender since birth. For example gender reveal parties have become an event where they celebrate whether the baby is a boy or a girl with generally blue colours for boys and pink colours for girls. This give no space or opportunity for the individual to explore themselves. For instance even toys are gender emphasised; “toys for boys” and “toys for girls”
How a history of a patriarchal society has impacted societal understanding and belief about gender
A patriarchal society may have set back belief about gender as witching patriarchal societies men are perceived to be the superior gender and have more power and strength than the women. Patriarchal society was built around men and take little to no consideration of the woman’s voice and only project man’s voices. It is also an ‘accepted truth’ that men are stronger than women therefore are more fit for heavier duty jobs and are therefore higher paying.
What is feminism and different strands of feminism
Feminism: wide range of beliefs that seek freedom for women. Aka ‘women’s liberation movement’
-Liberal Feminism
-Radical Feminism
-Black Feminism
Plato on men, women and gender
Plato believed that women were inferior to men in is writing he wrote: “it is only males who were created directly the Gods and are given souls. Those who live rightly return to the stars but those who are cowards and lead unrighteousness lives are changed to the nature of women in the second generation”.
Aristotle on men, women and gender
Aristotle believed in science and biology. He believed that men are naturally superior to women and women were inferior. Therefore it was natural for men to lead women. Aristotle also stated women are “more mischievous, less simple, more impulsive, more easily moved to tears and more jealous”
Complementary characteristic and how do they relate to male and female gender roles
Complementary characteristics are qualities that are different yet complementary in different roles. It is argued that some occupations are better suited for men such as firefighters, builders, armed forces and heavy duty work whereas women’s roles are better suited in family, nursing and home. Some feminists believe there is no distinction between what men and women can both do. Women’s qualities should be celebrated rather than be seen as second rate
Three reasons why people may think gender is a matter of choice
.Masculine and feminine terms are imposed by society rather than by nature. People are autonomous with their own personalities
.They are cultural norms imposed on people from a young age via socialisation
.There is too much diversity between individuals in terms of culture, ethnicity, age and social class to place them under one umbrella term
Quotes about men and women’s roles in the Bible
Genesis 1:27- “so God created man kind in His own image, male and female He created them”
Genesis 2:20-22- “ but for Adam no suitable helper was found”
Genesis 3:1-6- the serpent tempts eve to eat the forbidden fruit
Quotes from Ephesians 2
“Wives submit yourselves to your husbands” and “Husbands love your wife just as Christ loved the Church”. This shows men and women are equal though the fact that both genders were directed to do something different to express their love to eachother.
Key points of John Paul’s “Mullieres Dignitatem”
.Clarifies the Catholic position on issues raised by feminism in response to accusations the Church was sexist
-Position on gender roles was that men and women were different, complementary characteristics given by God
-A key point was that Jesus essentially God the Son came to Earth, this as only possible by a woman the Virgin Mary
-‘Motherhood is the fruit of the marriage”. Women are ‘naturally disposed to motherhood’ both physically and psychologically
.Pain of child birth experienced by women is the result of original sin but allows women insight into the suffering of Christ. This is however immediately forgotten with the joy of receiving a new born baby
Success’ of Mullieres Dignitatem
Provides good links between Bible and men and women. Shows women’s roles and their significance through the Virgin Mary
Weakness’ of Mullieres Dignitatem
Some may argue that rather than Mary having a choice to bear Jesus it was imposed on her in a manner she could not decline therefore may see God as a symbolism of man and their possessive nature.
What question does feminist theology raise about Christianity
Feminist theology raise questions such as:
-The justification of male dominance and female subordination
-The exclusive use of male language for God
-The view that men are more like God than women
Mary Daly’s Approach to religion and Christianity
.Mary Daly was a post-Christian radical feminist who stated men throughout history sought to oppress women
.Daly was inspired by Nietzsche
.Daly argue Christianity consists of an unholy trinity or rape, genocide and war
Mary Daly’s Rape
Viewed rape not only in theoretical terms. She identified systematic act of violence towards women: rape, genital mutilation, foot binding, widow burning and hysterectomy
-‘Numbers’: “now kill all boys and all women who have slept with a man”
