Feminism

Question 1

What is meant by the term feminism?

Answer 1

advocating women’s rights on the grounds of the equality of the sexes

Question 2

Why does the feminist approach criticise religious approaches?

Answer 2

Often present woman as child-bearer, wife + submissive companion

Tend to restrict status of women + encourage them to meet desires of men

Hebrew view has meant that for hundreds of years, women have not had access to wealth or politics + very little free choice

Orthodox Jews - divorce only possible if husband issues the ‘Get’ (contract of marriage)

Some Protestant churches - role of women = homemaker + child-bearer

Feminists believe that men and women should be viewed completely equally

Question 3

Why does the feminist approach criticise the liberal approach?

Answer 3

libertarians assume a level playing field

Question 4

What did Catherine Mackinnon argue?

Answer 4

‘sexuality must be re-imagined and remade before moral sexual relationships become possible.’

Question 5

What did Mary Daley argue?

Answer 5

women should not call God ‘Father’ - ‘If God is male, then male is God.’ - religion = sexist

Question 6

What did Daphne Hampson argue?

Answer 6

since enlightenment, modern world does not fit with Christianity - idea of equality does not fit with religion - religion must be discarded

Question 7

What did Raymond Bellioti argue?

Answer 7

rejects feminist idea that women = capable of deciding for themselves

believes Paternalism = justified

Accepts idea that women have set roles in society