Human Nature

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Sex
• Gender
• Differences with Radical Feminists

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

There are some broad agreements between feminists, but on the whole they disagree

Question 3

Sex - Agree - Point

Answer 3

Feminists accespt that there are important biologicial distinctions between men and women, such as women give birth and have lower levels of physical strength

Question 4

Disagree - Sex - Point

Answer 4

• For Liberal and Socialist Feminists, sex differences should be irrelevant to the way women are treated within society
• Radical Feminists such as Shlamith Firestone stress the importance of sex in the oppression of women

Question 5

Disagree - Sex - Example
(Socialist)

Answer 5

Charlotte Gilman argued that because the nature of economic activity had changed so much biological difference between men and women had become irrelevant - there was no reason why women could not play an equal part alongside men in modern economies

Question 6

Disagree - Sex - Example
(Radical)

Answer 6

Radical Feminists see biological differences as important, and some go as far to say they have determined the gender roles of women - this is the idea of essentialism

Question 7

Agree - Gender - Point

Answer 7

There is agreement between all strands of feminism that gender is important - this refers to cultural difference between the sexes, leading to a feeling of superiority of men and inferiority of women and the assignment of inferior roles

Question 8

Agree - Gender - Examples

Answer 8

Simone De Beauvoir developed the the idea of women as ‘Other.’ This idea that ‘women are made, not born’ - men have characterised women as different but in a way of men’s choosing

Question 9

Disagree - Gender - Point

Answer 9

• Radical and Liberal Feminists argued that gender differences are as a result of the patriarchal society
• Socialists feminists argue that gender differences are as a result of capitalism

Question 10

Disagree - Gender - Example
(Socialist)

Answer 10

Socialists feminists argue that capitalism keeps women oppressed so they can become cheap, dispensable labour. Therefore, the solution is the destruction of capitalism

Question 11

Disagree - Gender - Examples
(Radical)

Answer 11

Juliet Mitchell argues that male gender exists in all aspects of life - it therefore must be destroyed in all these places with a cultural revolution to combat the patriarchy

Question 12

Agree - Within Radical Feminism - Point

Answer 12

Radical Feminists, such as Kate Millet, agree that gender differences are all-pervading and deep rooted within the patriarchal society

Question 13

Disagree - Within Radical Feminism - Point

Answer 13

• The majority of radical feminist argue that gender differences are as a result of society
• Cultural Feminists argue that women are born with different cultural characteristics

Question 14

Disagree - Within Radical Feminism - Example
(Cultural)

Answer 14

Cultural Feminists accept that there are natural gender differences arguing that women by nature are more caring and nurturing than men. Some even go as far to say that female characteristics are superior