Simone de Beauvoir

Question 1

What were Beauvoir’s key ideas?

Answer 1

Sex v gender - ‘one is not born but rather becomes a woman - gender is a construct made by men

Otherness - men are perceived as the ‘norm’ and women deviate from the norm - women as the ‘second sex’

Question 2

What type of feminist was Beauvoir?

Answer 2

Radical

Question 3

Beauvoir believed progress can only be made if…..

Answer 3

Women became conscious of their own identity through self liberation and escaping from a domestic/family role imposed on them by men

Question 4

What are Beauvoir’s views on human nature?

Answer 4

Gender differences are not natural they are the creation of men

Question 5

What are Beauvoir’s views on the state?

Answer 5

Reinforces a male dominated culture - limits women’s autonomy & freedom - focus on private sphere (relegation to domestic role by men)

Question 6

What are Beauvoir’s views on society?

Answer 6

Societal norms restrain both men and women from achieving realisation
Women had for too long lived a life according to rules imposed by men, which she saw as “bad faith

Question 7

What are Beauvoir’s views on the economy?

Answer 7

Men dominate economic life and this limits life choices open to women