Human Nature

Question 1

Generally speaking, what is the feminist view of human nature?

Answer 1

• Broadly positive view of human nature, rational, egalitarian and capable of achieving progress and improving the world humans live in.
• Difference Feminists are a partial exception to this

Question 2

Sex and gender in feminism (who introduced it?)

Answer 2

• Idea was popularized by Simone de Beauvoir in ‘The Second Sex’
• Sex: this is a biological concept; biology determines human destiny and our roles in life are largely fixed. Largely rejected by Feminists.
• Gender: political or social construct; destiny can be altered according to the socio-political circumstances. Gender constructs can thus be deconstructed.

Question 3

What did the patriarchy claim regarding biology?

Answer 3

• Brain size: men have larger brains, considered more intelligent, dominated politics, business, the arts, science etc. relative to bodyweight, women have slightly larger brains than men
• Physical size: men’s larger physical size/greater strength meant more suited to heavy physical labour of industrial economies be the breadwinner. In the service sector this is unimportant and could be a disadvantage in the office environment.
• Child bearing and reproduction: women breast-feed so, childrearing was specifically for women. Feminists say may be true for very young infants, but older children can be looked after by men
• roles were gender based not sex based

Question 4

What are general principles of feminists regarding Human Nature?

Answer 4

• Roles considered to be masculine or feminine are social constructs (not biological) Women been consigned to least important, lowest paid and most boring roles.
• Many men/women don’t fit stereotypes portrayed in society -cannot be biological.
• Social constructs highlight how women have been oppressed. But, indicate how social change can be – portrayal of alternative roles.
• Biological differences between sex’s are minimal – main difference is reproductive. Most ways men/women are similar – same species
• People are naturally androgynous – male/female characteristics inherited from parents. Sex’s are similar should be equal.
• People judged on ‘personhood’. Sexual differences should not be of social, political or economic significance.
  (Accept Difference Feminists)

Question 5

What is Essentialism and who believes in it?

Answer 5

• Essentialism – men/women fundamentally different at a psycho-biological level. Essentially different, always be problems/conflict between men/women.
• Difference feminists are essentialists:
  Biological differences cause social/cultural characteristics and cause conflict. Sex does create political/social differences. Differences result from fundamental hormonal, genetic and biological differences, not as a result of social structures.
• Similar to patriarchal ideological, but they regard typically ‘female’ or ‘feminine’ attributes in a positive and constructive light not a reason for women being second class citizens.

Question 6

What is Cultural Feminism and who believes in it?

Answer 6

• Women’s cultural characteristics: caring, nurturing, cooperative, peaceful, emotional, Men are competitive, aggressive, warlike, dominating
• Women are superior to men- should not strive to be like men or be equal with men: backward step. Due to men’s dominating nature they oppress women, only way to avoid this is separatism/political lesbianism.
• Women should strive to be ‘fulfilled women’ or ‘woman identified’. Sex and gender are the same thing, difference feminists believe in sisterhood and cultural feminism (herstory, ecofeminism, womens art)

Question 7

What are criticisms of Essentialism?

Answer 7

• Too extreme, impractical and unrealistic. Men/women should be similar – greater androgyny – leads to greater understanding, compatibility and shared interests. Equal rights/greater freedom will end patriarchy (Patriarchy also oppresses many men).

Question 8

What do Post-modernists believe about Essentialism?

Answer 8

• Biology is not clear cut – there is a biological gradation between men and women e.g. mixed sex, non-fertile, feminine men, masculine women. Sex/gender are interchangeable. Many men and women do not fit the biological description put forward by Difference Feminists.