Feminism

Question 1

describe patriarchy

Answer 1

a societal system that benefits men and oppresses women
= creates a power imbalance that shapes all of our lives

Question 2

agreements between ALL fems

Answer 2

• patriarchy exists and oppresses women

Question 3

impact of patriarchy

Answer 3

• creates culture of stereotypes
• women viewed as weak= leads to domestic abuse= voices don’t matter
• double standards of women’s sexuality= Greer said ‘society forces women to deny their sexual desire’= patriarchy controls women
• gender pay gap
• unpaid domestic labour of women

Question 4

What is the key distinction between the terms ‘sex’ and ‘gender’

Answer 4

Sex refers to biological differences like genitals and chromosomes, while gender refers to socially constructed roles and behaviours considered ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’

Question 5

Beauvoir quote

Answer 5

“One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.”
= suggests that womanhood is not a natural state but rather a social construct shaped by cultural norms and expectations, not biological determinism

Question 6

Gilman’s views

Answer 6

• economic relationship where women depend on men for survival in return for sexual favours and this was further perpetuated by denying women property and work

Question 7

liberal views

Answer 7

• accept sex differences as biological realities, but see gender differences and male superiority as artificial constructs imposed by patriarchal societies

Question 8

describe an essentialist

Answer 8

• believe that biological sex diffs are fundamental and can’t be separated from their understanding of gender diffs
• Susan Griffin= women more empathy= needed to promote peace in society= seek harmony vs men seek violence
• men are reason for wars and environmental destruction

Question 9

key disagreements

Answer 9

• how to achieve equality
• Radical fems disagree w liberal feminists on the extent to which society must change
• Diff fems disagree w equality feminists on the importance of focusing on equality vs acknowledging diffs
• Role of capitalism
• Emphasis on individualism vs ‘sisterhood’
• Extent to which the concept of ‘patriarchy’ impacts women differently according to their race and class