Key thinker quotes - feminism Flashcards
Simone de Beauvoir on human nature
“One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.”
Simone de Beauvoir on the state
Believes the state reinforces a culture that prevents women from expressing their true freedom and identity.
Simone de Beauvoir on society
“Society, being codified by man, decrees that woman is inferior.”
Simone de Beauvoir on the economy
Believes men’s domination of economic life restricts the life choices open to women.
bell hooks on human nature
“Feminism is for everybody.”
Emphasising the multiple, overlapping identities and oppressions women experience.
bell hooks on the state
Believes the state is dominated by white males and reinforces their dominant position in society.
bell hooks on society
“As long as women are using class or race power to dominate other women, feminist sisterhood cannot be fully realised.”
bell hooks on the economy
“The enemy within must be transformed before we can confront the enemy outside.”
Referring to class and race differences within feminism.
Sheila Rowbotham on human nature
Believed women’s consciousness of the world is created by men.
Sheila Rowbotham on the state
“The revolutionary movement must be feminist if it is to transform society.”
Sheila Rowbotham on society
Believed the nature of society is economically determined. Society reflects the dominant position of both capitalists and men in general.
Sheila Rowbotham on the economy
“Women are the only group which has been universally oppressed in every class and culture.”
Charlotte Perkins Gilman on human nature
“There is no female mind. The brain is not an organ of sex.”
Highlights how the brain is a shared organ between men and women.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman on the state
Gilman had no especially distinctive views on the state.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman on society
“The economic independence of women is essential to the freedom of humanity.”
Charlotte Perkins Gilman on the economy
Believed the domestic servitude of women allowed men to dominate the outside economic world.
Kate Millett on human nature
“Patriarchy’s chief institution is the family.”
Reflecting how women can free themselves through rejecting traditional roles.
Kate Millett on the state
Believed the state is an agent of patriarchy. It is part of the problem, but not the solution.
Kate Millett on society
“The chief contribution of the family in patriarchy is the socialisation of the young into patriarchal ideology.”
Kate Millett on the economy
Millett is a quasi-socialist, but this is not fundamental to her feminism.
