Feminism question Flashcards
(16 cards)
To what extent do feminist agree over human nature - AGREE
- Patriarchy distorts human nature by enforcing unequal gender roles
Explain: All feminists agree that patriarchy imposes artificial gender roles that limit human potential and reinforce inequality.
Liberal feminists - Betty Friedan argued that the “feminine mystique” socialised women into domestic roles, preventing them from realising their full potential.
Radical feminists - Kate Millett argued that patriarchy conditions both men and women to accept male dominance as natural, reinforcing inequality.
Socialist feminists - Sheila Rowbotham argued that capitalist structures reinforce patriarchal norms, embedding inequality into human nature.
Example: The division of labour in the family reflects how patriarchy distorts human behaviour and restricts women’s roles.
Link: Feminists broadly agree that human nature is shaped and limited by patriarchal socialisation rather than biological differences.
- Human nature is malleable and shaped by social structures rather than biology
Explain: Feminists generally reject biological determinism and argue that gender differences are socially constructed rather than innate.
Liberal feminists - Mary Wollstonecraft argued that women’s perceived inferiority was due to lack of education, not biological inferiority.
Radical feminists - Germaine Greer argued that women could reject traditional roles through consciousness-raising and radical action.
Socialist feminists - Juliet Mitchell argued that women’s oppression stems from their position in the economic system rather than natural differences.
Example: The success of women in traditionally male-dominated fields (e.g., politics, business) reflects the social rather than biological basis of gender differences.
Link: Feminists broadly agree that human nature is shaped by social structures rather than fixed biological traits.
- Human nature can be changed through social and political reform
Explain: Most feminists believe that changes in social structures, laws, and education can reshape human behaviour and attitudes toward gender.
Liberal feminists - Betty Friedan supported legal and educational reforms to give women equal opportunities in the workplace and education.
Radical feminists - Shulamith Firestone argued that the abolition of the nuclear family and reproductive technology could free women from biological oppression.
Socialist feminists - Sheila Rowbotham argued that human nature could only be reshaped through both social and economic revolution.
Example: Equal Pay Act (1970) and Sex Discrimination Act (1975) reflect feminist success in reshaping societal attitudes toward gender.
Link: Feminists generally agree that human nature is adaptable and can be reshaped through political and social action.
To what extent do feminist agree over human nature - Introduction
Human nature - the fundamental qualities and characteristics that define human beings, including the extent to which behaviour is innate or socially constructed.
Feminism - a political and social movement advocating for women’s rights and gender equality.
Outline areas of agreement: Most feminists agree that gender roles are socially constructed rather than biologically determined and that patriarchy distorts human nature.
Outline areas of disagreement: Feminists disagree over whether biological differences play a role in shaping human behaviour and how gender roles should be challenged or reformed.
Overall stance: Feminists agree that human nature is shaped by patriarchy and social conditioning, but they disagree on the extent to which biological differences matter and how human nature should be transformed.
To what extent do feminist agree over human nature - DISAGREE
- Some feminists believe biological differences matter, others reject them entirely
Explain: While some feminists accept that biological differences may contribute to gender roles, others argue that they are entirely socially constructed.
Difference feminists - Carol Gilligan argued that women have an inherently different moral and emotional perspective based on biological differences.
Radical feminists - Andrea Dworkin rejected biological differences, arguing that patriarchy, not nature, created gender roles.
Liberal feminists - Betty Friedan argued that any differences between men and women were socially constructed, not biological.
Example: Debates over maternity leave reflect tensions between recognising biological differences and avoiding gender-based discrimination.
Link: Feminists disagree over whether human nature is fundamentally shaped by biology or entirely by socialisation.
- Feminists disagree on how human nature should be reshaped
Explain: While most feminists agree that human nature can be reshaped, they disagree on the means and goals of this transformation.
Liberal feminists - Advocate for gradual reform through legal and educational changes (e.g., equal pay, anti-discrimination laws).
Radical feminists - Call for a fundamental restructuring of society, including the abolition of the family and male dominance.
Socialist feminists - Argue that only the overthrow of capitalism can create true gender equality.
Example: The split between radical and liberal feminists over issues like pornography and sex work reflects different views on how human nature should be reshaped.
Link: Feminists disagree over whether gradual reform, radical restructuring, or economic revolution is necessary to reshape human nature.
- Intersectional feminists argue that human nature is shaped by race, class, and sexuality as well as gender
Explain: Intersectional feminists challenge the idea that human nature is shaped solely by patriarchy, arguing that other forms of oppression also play a role.
Intersectional feminists - Kimberlé Crenshaw argued that gender oppression intersects with race and class, shaping human behaviour and experience differently.
Radical feminists - Focus primarily on patriarchy, downplaying the role of race and class in shaping human nature.
Liberal feminists - Tend to focus on gender alone, neglecting wider structural factors.
Example: The experiences of Black and working-class women reflect how human nature is shaped by multiple forms of discrimination beyond gender alone.
Link: Feminists disagree over whether human nature is shaped primarily by patriarchy or by multiple intersecting oppressions.
To what extent do feminist agree over human nature - Conclusion
Feminists broadly agree that human nature is socially constructed and shaped by patriarchal structures rather than biological differences. However, they disagree on the extent to which biological factors influence gender roles and how human nature should be reshaped. While liberal and socialist feminists advocate for political and economic reforms, radical feminists call for the restructuring of social and family structures. Intersectional feminists further challenge the idea that gender is the sole determinant of human nature, arguing that race, class, and sexuality also play a role.
To what extent is there more disagreement within feminism than agreement? - AGREE
- All feminists agree that gender inequality is socially constructed
Explain: Feminists reject the idea that biological differences justify inequality, arguing that gender roles are imposed by society.
Liberal feminist Betty Friedan argued that the “feminine mystique” conditioned women into accepting domestic roles.
Radical feminist Kate Millett claimed that patriarchy shapes gender roles through cultural and social institutions.
Socialist feminist Sheila Rowbotham argued that capitalism reinforces gender roles by encouraging women to remain in unpaid domestic work.
Link: Despite differences in their approaches, all feminists argue that gender roles are socially imposed rather than biologically determined.
- All feminists advocate for female autonomy and political equality
Explain: Feminists agree that women should have the same political, social, and legal rights as men.
Liberal feminist Mary Wollstonecraft argued that women should have equal access to education and political participation.
Radical feminist Germaine Greer believed that women could only achieve true equality by rejecting traditional patriarchal institutions like marriage.
Socialist feminist Clara Zetkin believed that female liberation could only be achieved through dismantling capitalism and creating economic equality.
Link: While they propose different strategies, feminists agree on the principle of political and social equality for women.
- All feminists agree that patriarchy must be challenged
Explain: Feminists agree that patriarchy distorts relationships between men and women, reinforcing male dominance.
Radical feminist Andrea Dworkin argued that patriarchy influences all aspects of society, including relationships and culture.
Socialist feminist Charlotte Perkins Gilman argued that the economic dependency of women on men reinforces patriarchal dominance.
Liberal feminist Betty Friedan believed that challenging the legal and social structures that reinforce patriarchy would achieve equality.
Link: All feminists agree that patriarchal structures must be dismantled to secure true equality, even though they differ on how to achieve this.
To what extent is there more disagreement within feminism than agreement? - DISAGREE
- Disagreement over the role of biology in shaping human nature
Explain: Feminists are divided on whether biology influences gender roles and female identity.
Liberal feminists argue that biological differences between men and women are irrelevant to social equality.
Betty Friedan argued that social reform could eliminate gender inequality without altering biological differences.
Radical feminists like Shulamith Firestone argued that true equality could only be achieved by overcoming biological reproduction through artificial means.
Difference feminists like Carol Gilligan argue that women are naturally more nurturing and empathetic, which should be valued rather than suppressed.
Link: Feminists are fundamentally divided on whether biology is a source of oppression or a strength to be embraced.
- Disagreement over the impact of capitalism on female oppression
Explain: Feminists differ on whether class or gender is the primary cause of inequality.
Socialist feminists argue that capitalism reinforces gender inequality by making women economically dependent on men.
Sheila Rowbotham believed that female oppression is tied to capitalist exploitation and that dismantling capitalism is necessary for liberation.
Liberal feminists reject this, arguing that gender inequality can be overcome through legal and social reform without changing the capitalist system.
Betty Friedan argued that equal pay and workplace rights would address gender inequality.
Radical feminists believe that patriarchy, not capitalism, is the root of oppression.
Kate Millett argued that even in non-capitalist societies, patriarchy persists.
Link: Feminists are divided over whether class or gender is the primary cause of inequality.
- Disagreement over the role of the state and institutions
Explain: Feminists differ on whether working within the state or rejecting it is the best path to liberation.
Liberal feminists argue that state reform (e.g., equal pay laws, anti-discrimination legislation) can address gender inequality.
Betty Friedan supported the Equal Pay Act and the establishment of anti-discrimination laws.
Radical feminists argue that the state is inherently patriarchal and cannot be a vehicle for liberation.
Andrea Dworkin argued that state institutions uphold male dominance and must be dismantled.
Socialist feminists argue that state reform is insufficient without addressing economic inequality.
Clara Zetkin argued that capitalism and state institutions reinforce female economic dependency.
Link: Feminists are divided over whether the state can be an instrument of liberation or if it is inherently patriarchal.
To what extent is there more disagreement within feminism than agreement? - Intro
- Feminists agree on the need to challenge patriarchy and the idea that gender roles are socially constructed.
However, they disagree significantly on the causes of oppression, the role of capitalism, and the methods for achieving liberation.
Overall, the depth and breadth of these disagreements suggest that there is more division than unity within feminism.
To what extent is there more disagreement within feminism than agreement? - Conclusion
Feminists broadly agree on the importance of dismantling patriarchy, securing equal rights, and challenging social norms that reinforce inequality.
However, deep divisions exist over the role of biology, the influence of capitalism, and the appropriate strategies for achieving equality.
The most significant divisions are between liberal feminists (who favour reform), radical feminists (who call for revolution), and socialist feminists (who focus on class-based oppression).
Overall, the depth of these disagreements suggests that there is more division within feminism than unity — especially on the causes of oppression and the solutions required to achieve gender equality.
To what extent is feminism divided in its approach to sex and gender? - AGREE
- Feminists agree that gender roles are imposed by society, not biology
Explain: Feminists generally reject the idea that biological differences between men and women justify social inequality. They argue that gender roles are culturally and socially created.
Liberal feminists argue that equality can be achieved by dismantling these socially constructed roles.
Betty Friedan (1963) in The Feminine Mystique argued that the idea that women are naturally suited to domestic roles is a patriarchal construction designed to keep women subordinate.
Friedan highlighted how suburban housewives in post-war America were socially conditioned into believing that domesticity was their natural role, leading to dissatisfaction and loss of identity.
Radical feminists like Kate Millett (1970) in Sexual Politics argued that patriarchy operates through the social conditioning of gender roles from an early age.
Millett analysed how literature, media, and education reinforce the idea that women are naturally submissive and men are dominant.
Link: Feminists agree that gender roles are not rooted in biology but are reinforced by patriarchal social structures.
Feminists agree that dismantling gender roles is key to achieving equality
Explain: Feminists agree that challenging restrictive gender norms is essential for female liberation.
Liberal feminists argue that legal and political reforms can remove gender-based barriers.
Betty Friedan supported the Equal Pay Act (1963) and Title IX (1972), which aimed to ensure equal pay and equal access to education.
Radical feminists argue that deeper cultural and structural change is required.
Andrea Dworkin argued that patriarchal institutions such as marriage and pornography perpetuate women’s subjugation and should be abolished.
Socialist feminists like Sheila Rowbotham (1973) in Woman’s Consciousness, Man’s World argued that capitalism reinforces gender inequality by assigning women to unpaid domestic labour.
Example: In the UK, the 1970 Equal Pay Act and the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act reflect liberal feminist success in removing legal barriers to equality. However, radical feminists argue that these reforms do not address the deeper cultural and economic structures that perpetuate patriarchy.
Link: Despite differing strategies, feminists share the belief that dismantling socially constructed gender roles is central to achieving equality.
- Feminists agree that patriarchy and gender roles create psychological harm for women
Explain: Feminists agree that the social construction of gender imposes psychological and emotional harm on women by enforcing restrictive gender norms.
Radical feminists like Germaine Greer (1970) in The Female Eunuch argued that women are psychologically conditioned into passivity and submissiveness through patriarchal social norms.
Greer claimed that this conditioning causes women to internalise feelings of inferiority and powerlessness.
Liberal feminists like Betty Friedan argued that the “problem with no name” — the dissatisfaction felt by housewives in the 1950s and 1960s — was caused by the restrictive nature of female domestic roles.
Friedan highlighted how women were encouraged to define their identity through marriage and motherhood rather than through personal or professional fulfilment.
Intersectional feminists like bell hooks argued that race, class, and gender intersect to create psychological harm for women of colour, who face unique and compounded forms of oppression.
Example: The rise of mental health issues among young women in the UK has been linked to societal pressures surrounding body image, domestic roles, and career expectations — reinforcing feminist claims that gender norms create psychological harm.
Link: Feminists agree that gender roles reinforced by patriarchy create emotional and psychological damage for women, limiting their sense of identity and self-worth.
To what extent is feminism divided in its approach to sex and gender? - DISAGREE
- Disagreement over whether sex or gender is the source of oppression
Explain: Feminists are divided over whether biological differences (sex) or social constructs (gender) are the primary source of female oppression.
Radical feminists argue that biological sex is the root of female oppression.
Shulamith Firestone (1970) in The Dialectic of Sex argued that biological reproduction is the basis of male dominance and that true equality would require artificial reproduction.
Firestone believed that pregnancy and childbirth reinforced women’s subordination, and that technology could liberate women from these biological limitations.
Liberal feminists argue that social structures, not biological differences, cause gender inequality.
Betty Friedan believed that removing barriers to education, employment, and political participation would achieve gender equality without needing to alter biological differences.
Difference feminists like Carol Gilligan (1982) argued that biological differences should not be erased but celebrated.
Gilligan’s research on moral development suggested that women tend to value relationships and care more than men, which should be recognised and valued in society.
Example: The debate over maternity leave illustrates this divide. Radical feminists argue that maternity leave policies reinforce women’s biological role as caregivers, while liberal feminists see it as essential for achieving workplace equality.
Link: Feminists are fundamentally divided over whether biology should be transcended, accommodated, or celebrated.
- Disagreement over the relationship between sex and gender
Explain: Feminists differ on whether gender is inherently tied to biological sex or a completely separate social construct.
Radical feminists like Germaine Greer argue that only women who are biologically female can experience female oppression.
Greer criticised transgender women, arguing that they could not understand the lived experience of female oppression.
Intersectional feminists and liberal feminists support the inclusion of transgender women within the feminist movement.
Judith Butler (1990) in Gender Trouble argued that both sex and gender are social constructs, challenging the idea that biological sex is fixed and immutable.
Butler argued that gender is performative — it is created through repeated behaviours rather than innate traits.
Example: The debate over transgender rights in sports reflects this division. Radical feminists argue that allowing transgender women to compete in female sports gives them an unfair advantage based on biological differences. Liberal feminists argue that inclusion promotes equality and challenges gender stereotypes.
Link: Feminists are deeply divided over whether gender is distinct from sex and whether transgender identities challenge or reinforce patriarchal norms.
- Disagreement over whether gender should be abolished or celebrated
Explain: Feminists disagree on whether gender should be erased or valued as a source of identity and strength.
Radical feminists argue that gender should be abolished altogether.
Andrea Dworkin argued that gender is a patriarchal construct used to subordinate women and should be dismantled.
Difference feminists argue that women’s distinct traits and experiences should be valued.
Carol Gilligan argued that women’s capacity for empathy and care should be recognised as strengths rather than dismissed as weaknesses.
Intersectional feminists argue that gender is intertwined with other forms of oppression (e.g., race, class, sexuality).
Kimberlé Crenshaw introduced the concept of intersectionality, highlighting how black women face unique forms of discrimination that differ from those experienced by white women.
Example: Radical feminists oppose gendered language and roles (e.g., removing gender markers from passports), while difference feminists support female-only spaces as a means of empowerment.
Link: Feminists are divided over whether gender should be eliminated or embraced as a source of strength
To what extent is feminism divided in its approach to sex and gender? - Introduction
- Feminists agree that gender roles are socially constructed and that patriarchy reinforces inequality.
However, they disagree on the significance of biological sex and whether gender should be abolished or celebrated.
The most significant divides are between radical feminists, liberal feminists, difference feminists, and intersectional feminists.
Overall stance: While some agreement exists on the social construction of gender, profound disagreements over the role of sex and the nature of gender reveal deep divisions within feminism.
To what extent is feminism divided in its approach to sex and gender? - Conclusion
Feminists agree that gender roles are socially constructed and that patriarchy reinforces inequality.
However, they disagree over whether biological sex or gender is the root of oppression, how to define gender, and whether gender should be abolished or embraced.
Radical feminists view sex-based oppression as central, while liberal feminists focus on social and political reform, and difference feminists celebrate gender differences.
The rise of transgender rights and intersectionality has deepened these divisions, suggesting that feminism remains highly fragmented over its approach to sex and gender.
Overall, the depth of these disagreements suggests that feminism is more divided than united in its approach to sex and gender.
To what extent do feminists disagree over their views on patriarchy? - AGREE
- Feminists agree that patriarchy creates systematic inequality for women
Explain: Feminists share the belief that patriarchy operates through societal structures and institutions, systematically disadvantaging women.
Radical feminists argue that patriarchy is embedded in all social institutions, from the family to the state.
Kate Millett (Sexual Politics, 1970) argued that patriarchy operates through social conditioning, especially within the family, where boys are taught dominance and girls are taught submission.
Millett highlighted how literature, education, and politics reinforce male dominance through the glorification of male strength and female passivity.
Socialist feminists like Sheila Rowbotham (Woman’s Consciousness, Man’s World, 1973) argued that patriarchy and capitalism work together to oppress women by assigning them to unpaid domestic labour and lower-paid jobs.
Rowbotham linked the gender pay gap and the unequal division of domestic labour to the structural dominance of men in the workforce and the home.
Liberal feminists agree that patriarchal norms create legal and political inequality, limiting women’s access to rights and opportunities.
Betty Friedan (The Feminine Mystique, 1963) argued that patriarchal norms confined women to domestic roles, which limited their personal and professional development.
Example: The UK gender pay gap (17.3% in 2019) reflects how patriarchal structures continue to disadvantage women in the workforce.
Link: Feminists agree that patriarchy systematically creates gender inequality across social, political, and economic institutions.
- Feminists agree that patriarchy restricts female autonomy and sexual freedom
Explain: Feminists share the belief that patriarchy controls women’s bodies and sexual expression to maintain male dominance.
Radical feminists like Andrea Dworkin (Pornography, 1981) argued that pornography and sexual violence are tools of patriarchy used to objectify and subordinate women.
Dworkin argued that male control over female sexuality reinforces women’s position as passive objects rather than autonomous individuals.
Liberal feminists like Betty Friedan argued that the lack of reproductive rights (e.g., access to contraception and abortion) reflects patriarchal control over women’s bodies.
Friedan supported the Roe v. Wade decision (1973) in the US as a key step towards dismantling patriarchal control over female sexuality.
Intersectional feminists like bell hooks argued that patriarchy intersects with race and class to create unique forms of sexual and reproductive oppression for women of colour.
hooks highlighted how black women in the US were subjected to forced sterilisation and limited access to healthcare.
Example: The legalisation of abortion in the UK (Abortion Act 1967) reflected a challenge to patriarchal control over women’s reproductive autonomy. However, restrictions in Northern Ireland persisted until 2019, highlighting the continued influence of patriarchal norms.
Link: Feminists agree that patriarchy restricts women’s control over their bodies and sexual autonomy.
- Feminists agree that dismantling patriarchy is essential to achieving gender equality
Explain: Feminists agree that meaningful gender equality cannot be achieved without challenging patriarchal norms and structures.
Liberal feminists believe that patriarchal barriers can be dismantled through legal and political reform.
Friedan supported the introduction of anti-discrimination laws and equal pay legislation to remove legal barriers to women’s equality.
Radical feminists argue that legal reform alone is insufficient and that deep cultural and structural changes are required.
Millett advocated for the restructuring of the family and the abolition of male dominance in sexual relationships.
Socialist feminists argue that dismantling patriarchy requires economic restructuring to address the exploitation of women’s labour.
Rowbotham argued that socialism and feminism must work together to challenge the dual oppression of capitalism and patriarchy.
Example: The Equality Act (2010) reflects liberal feminist success in challenging patriarchal norms through legal reform. However, radical feminists argue that sexual violence and objectification persist, demonstrating the limitations of legal change.
Link: Feminists agree that dismantling patriarchy is necessary for achieving true gender equality, even if they differ on how to achieve this goal.
To what extent do feminists disagree over their views on patriarchy? - DISAGREE
- Disagreement over whether patriarchy is rooted in biology or culture
Explain: Feminists disagree on whether patriarchy stems from biological differences or social constructs.
Radical feminists argue that patriarchy is rooted in biological differences between men and women.
Shulamith Firestone (The Dialectic of Sex, 1970) argued that women’s reproductive capacity has historically positioned them as dependent on men.
Firestone advocated for artificial reproduction as a way of overcoming biological differences.
Liberal feminists reject the idea that biology determines gender roles, arguing that social conditioning creates patriarchal norms.
Friedan argued that removing legal and social barriers would enable women to achieve equality without changing biological differences.
Example: Debates over maternity leave reflect this divide — radical feminists see it as reinforcing biological roles, while liberal feminists view it as empowering women.
Link: Feminists disagree over whether patriarchy stems from biology or social structures.
- Disagreement over whether patriarchy is primarily economic or cultural
Explain: Feminists disagree on whether patriarchy stems from capitalist exploitation or cultural conditioning.
Socialist feminists argue that patriarchy is intertwined with capitalism.
Rowbotham argued that women’s unpaid domestic labour and lower wages reflect the dual exploitation of patriarchy and capitalism.
Radical feminists argue that patriarchy exists independently of capitalism.
Millett argued that patriarchy existed before capitalism and that male dominance would persist even under socialism unless cultural norms were changed.
Example: The gender pay gap reflects both capitalist exploitation (unequal pay) and patriarchal norms (women as primary caregivers).
Link: Feminists disagree on whether economic or cultural structures are the primary source of patriarchal oppression.
- Disagreement over the role of men in dismantling patriarchy
Explain: Feminists differ on whether men can be allies in dismantling patriarchy.
Radical feminists argue that men are inherently complicit in patriarchy and cannot be trusted to challenge it.
Dworkin argued that pornography and sexual violence reflect men’s fundamental dominance over women.
Liberal feminists believe that men can be allies in achieving gender equality.
Friedan supported men’s involvement in the feminist movement and the expansion of paternity leave.
Example: The involvement of male MPs in supporting gender equality legislation (e.g., the Domestic Abuse Act 2021) reflects liberal feminist inclusion of men, while radical feminists argue that male involvement undermines female autonomy.
Link: Feminists are divided over whether men should be included in the feminist movement.
To what extent do feminists disagree over their views on patriarchy? - Intro
- Patriarchy - A system of male dominance over women in social, political, and economic life.
Structural oppression - The idea that women’s subjugation is embedded in societal institutions (e.g., law, family, economy).
Feminist perspectives: Feminists broadly agree that patriarchy exists and oppresses women but differ on how it operates and how to challenge it.
Outline key arguments:
Feminists agree that patriarchy exists and systematically disadvantages women.
However, they disagree on whether patriarchy stems from biological, economic, or cultural sources and how it should be dismantled.
Overall stance: Feminists broadly agree on the existence of patriarchy but are divided over its origins and the strategies to overcome it.
To what extent do feminists disagree over their views on patriarchy? - Conclusion
Feminists agree that patriarchy is a system of male dominance that creates structural inequalities for women.
However, they disagree over its origins (biological vs cultural), its operation (economic vs cultural), and whether men can be allies in dismantling it.
Overall, feminist agreement on the existence of patriarchy is overshadowed by deep divisions over its nature and the best way to challenge it.
