Liberal feminism Flashcards
With what are Liberal Feminists concerned?
Liberal feminists are concerned with the human and civil rights and freedoms of the individual. They believe that all humans should be equal; so it follows that all men and women should be equal. They believe that social change should be gradual and careful, not dramatic or revolutionary therefore changes towards greater equality for women should be gradual. They believe that EQUALITY LEGISLATION, for example can secure equal opportunities for women.
Are Liberal Feminists only interested in changing the law?
No.
As well as changes in the law, liberal feminists seek cultural changes.
In their view traditional attitudes towards women prevent equality. For example, women seen as less rational and more emotional prevents their involvement in decision making roles, and encourages their confinement to domestic labour and childbearing. Liberal feminists reject the idea that biological differences make women different (less capable) than men. They equally reject the idea that men are less caring or emotional than women.
Name three famous Liberal Feminists with dates
Ann Oakley
1981
Jennifer Somerville
2000
Bell Hooks (American Author from Kentucky) Dates not in notes, but: 1952-2021
How does Ann Oakley distinguish between sex and gender?
Sex refers to the biological difference between men and women which is largely fixed
Gender refers to culturally constructed differences between the ‘masculine’ and ‘feminism’, transmitted across the generations via gender role socialisation
What does Ann Oak Tree point out about gender roles?
Oakley points out gender roles vary according to the time and place; comparative studies reveal great differences in expectations and attitudes towards men and women in different countries and in different times.
Liberal Feminism has seen changes in socialisation and culture start to reduce gender divisions in the family. What new term has been created?
New Man
(husband that it based on the values of equality between men and women)
What did Jennifer Somerville state?
Jennifer Somerville (2000) argues that whilst women are still disadvantaged in the family, women now have much more choice in terms of who to marry, to go to work, move towards greater equality in household roles and that most women still value a relationship with a man. These are real changes and as such, we are moving slowly towards gender equality. More parents are careful to avoid socialising their children into rigid gender roles. Further legal measures are required to achieve full equality with men.
Feminism: How to improve women’s position?
- Gendered socialisation and education are key areas to change according to liberal feminists, so they focus on men contributing more to domestic labour and also encourage more male role models within education. They believe that over time, this will encourage cultural change and that gender equality will become the norm.
- More law changes are required to provide evidence of real change regarding gender inequality. Examples of legal reform do far: Equal Pay Act, Sex Discrimination Act, Quality and Human Rights Commission.
- Liberal feminism is therefore an optimistic theory, believing that change is occurring, reducing sexist/traditional attitudes, and that political changes are leading to progress towards a fairer society.
Feminism: How to improve women’s position?
Short Form
- Gender socialisation and education
- Legal equality
- Fairer society
Summary of Liberal Feminism
- It is a positive, ‘forward looking’ approach to gender inequality
- It recognises change and that equality of women with men is evident in several areas of society
- It enshrines equality in laws which help protect women’s rights.
- Has made significant changes in the legal system, especially in education, workplace and the family which has had a direct impact on the lives of women.
What do Marxist Feminism argue?
Marxist Feminism argues: Its over optimistic and draws only a partial picture of gender inequality. It fails to look into the experiences of women from different social classes
What did Bell Hooks say about Liberal Feminism?
Liberal feminism is that they focus too much on equality with men in their own class. She maintains that the “cultural basis of group oppression” is the biggest challenge, in that liberal feminists tend to ignore it. It fails to look into the experiences of women from different ethnic groups, such as how black women may experience based on their gender and also their ethnicity (double oppression).
How does Intersectionality feature in Liberal Feminism’s viewpoint?
It does not; it is a blindspot.
Liberal feminism assume that the issues facing white women are the issues all women face and unity around liberal feminist goals are more important than racial equality and other goals. Intersectionality is a blindspot for Liberal Feminism.
How does Liberal Feminism measure against male standard?
Liberal Feminism is judging their success by male standards wanting equality with men rather than what women may want independently of men.
How do Liberal Feminists deal with women’s oppression?
It does not:
It does not acknowledge the systemic nature of women’s oppression in society (patriarchy. Domestic violence and rape are still common occurrences in families.
