Ecofeminism Flashcards
1
Q
What is ecofeminism?
A
- emerged in 60s
- environmental and feminist concerns overlap
- critique of capitalism
- violence toward Earth = violence towards women
- most academic movement so far
- questions modern science and progress
- research is not value-free
2
Q
What are the key tenets of ecofeminism?
A
- oppression of women and dominance of nature are viewed as the same
- exploitation in the same of science/progress/men
- women are seen as inherently closer to nature as they are socialized to be nurturing and have many responsibilities that depend on natural resources
- tends to demonize men
- western society tends to value rational over irrational
3
Q
What is Shiva’s “Feminine Principle”?
A
- society’s separation from nature has resulted in exploitation
- nature should be seen as creative/productive
- traditional knowledge is valuable
- critiques the reductionist science/capitalism (only measurable things exist)
4
Q
What was the Chipko Movement?
A
- tree-hugging
- women were chaining themselves to trees in India to save them from being logged
- they knew their removal would mean less resources for survival and environmental degradation
5
Q
What were some of the key lessons learned from ecofeminism?
A
- helped to put gender on the global environmental agenda
- different gender roles produce different knowledges
- highlights inequality between the west and the rest
- connects social and environmental issues
6
Q
What are some of the criticisms of ecofeminism?
A
- focuses on women rather than gender relations
- women are not necessarily connected to mother nature
- seeing women as the sole saviors could create more problems (eg. World Bank - design policy with reference to women)
7
Q
What is essentialism?
A
A fixed notion of what being a woman (or other identity) entails.
- biology does not equal destiny
- makes it difficult to question socially constructed gender roles
