Feminism Flashcards
(22 cards)
What are the different types of feminism?
Liberal
Marxist
Radical
Dual system
Difference
What are liberal feminists mostly concerned with?
Most concerned with inequalities in opportunities for women and they way the socialisation process creates and reformed traditional gender roles, such as the family
What may liberal feminists be also referred to and why is this?
Reformist feminists because they believe equal rights can be achieved by gradual reforms in society, without the need for a major revolution.
Examples of success from liberal feminists that has brought equality?
The Equal Pay Act (1970)
The Sex Discrimination Act (1975)
The Employment Protection Act (1975)
What do liberal feminists believe is the cause of gender inequality ?
This can be explained through cultural customs about what it means to be male or female.
These cultural customs are the product of prejudices and sexual assumptions
How do liberal demises reject the idea of biological differences?
Uses the ideas of famous feminist Ann Oakley to reject the biological differences that make women different (less capable) than men.
Sexist attitudes and stereotypical beliefs about gender are culturally constructed and transmitted though what?
Socialisation
What does socialisation mean in terms of feminism?
It means that women are not born into the role of being a caregiver or housewife, rather she becomes a woman over time.
How do liberal feminists believe we should do to improve society?
We must challenge sexist attitudes and gender stereotyping.
Promote more female role models in education
Criticisms of liberal feminists.
It does not deal with inequality only deals with the effects of women’s subordination rather than the underlying structural causes of inequality which was capitalism and patriarchy.
Inequalities still exists. Greer has criticises the approach because it has been unable to eradicate inequality.
Strength of real-life application
It is a real life approach so it has been work to improve the position of women in society by bringing improvements in laws, culture and attitudes in society
What do radical feminists believe?
They believe gender inequality and the subordination of women are the outcomes of patriarchy.
Radical feminists argue that:
Patriarchy is universal
Patriarchy is fundamental
All men oppress women
Patriarchal oppression Is direct and personal
What is meant by patriarchal Is universal? (Radical)
Firestone (1970) argues that the root of women’s oppression is a universal feature of society and lies in the woman’s biological ability to bear and care for infants. This makes women dependent in men.
What is meant by patriarchy is fundamental?
Radical feminists argue patriarchy is the most fundamental form of inequality and conflict- men are women’s worst enemy.
How do radical feminists believe that society can be improved?
Sepratism- men and women living apart and creating a new culture of female independence, free from patriarchy.
Consciousness - raising - RF argue that for women with whom they shares experiences in groups and where they identify they are not alone.
Political lesbianism- they argue that heterosexual relationships are seen as ‘sleeping with the enemy’ and advocate lesbianism as the only form on non-oppressive form of sexuality.
What are the 3 things that radical feminists believe can help improve society?
Separatism
Consciousness-raising
Political lesbianism
Radical feminists negative evaluation?
Unrealistic- vague utopian notions of separatism are unlikely to be achievable.
It ignores other factors - such as different experiences between women based in factors such as ethnicity,class,nationality,sexual identity and age.
What do Marxist feminists believe?
Reject liberal and radical feminists explanations for the causes of womens oppression.
They see women’s subordination as rooted in capitalism. Although men benefit from this, the main beneficiary is capitalism.
What does women’s subordination results from what?
Their role as an unpaid domestic housewife as it places them in an economically dependent position in the family.
The important functions of capitalism:?
Women are the source of cheap exploitable labour
Women are a reserve army of labour
Women reproduce the labour force
Women absorb anger
What did Ansley?
Women are ‘takers of shit’ from their husbands who feel frustrated with the system
