Gender and Society

Question 1

instrument for oppression

Answer 1

a tool used to contribute to the oppression of the group.

Question 2

patriarchy

Answer 2

a patriarchal society is one where men have more power than women.

Question 3

binary

Answer 3

either one thing or the other; in the case of gender, either male or female.

Question 4

family life in the 20th century

Answer 4

increased divorce rates - more single parents.

women’s rights - having no children/delaying having children.

contraception - fewer children

decreased rates of marriage. (also acceptance of non-married couples)

acceptance of homosexuality

Question 5

first wave feminism

Answer 5

middle of the 20th century - aim for equality for women written into legal processes (e.g. the right to vote)

Question 6

second wave feminism

Answer 6

second half of the 20th century - fighting for economic, political and social equality of women.

Question 7

thrid wave feminism

Answer 7

1990s onwards - individuality and intersectionality, recognising, for example, that black women could face racism and sexism in a way that white women could not.

Question 8

family is culturally defined

Answer 8

families are understood differently in different societies. personalities and many parts of our lives are affected by society. the cultural norms of a society form what we expect and what we become. As cultural norms change so do society norms.

Question 9

the idea of family is not culturally determined

Answer 9

some might take a narrow view of a family and say it can not change because of biology. Christianity teaches that society doesn’t make families, but God does. the idea of a family is determined by the Church e.g. the sacrament of marriage.

Question 10

Ephesians 5:22-23

Answer 10

women are inferior to men in a marriage so they must submit themselves to them.

men have God-given authority over women and have as much authority as Jesus does over the Church.

Men need to take authority to take care of their wives and to love them. but all women need to do is respect their husbands.

Question 11

biblical teaching on women is outdated

Answer 11

they rely on social norms that are no longer relevant today e.g. women are not to be present in the workplace.

the Bible isn’t to be taken literally. there are contradictions in the Bible.

Question 12

biblical teachings on men and women are not outdated

Answer 12

if society tells you to change, it doesn’t mean that it is right to change.

Biblical teachings have authority today because then can be interpreted when read with skill.

the Bible is a revelation from God and must not be questioned.

Question 13

Mulieris Dignitatem

Answer 13

published in1988 by Pope John Paul II.