ideologies > feminism key words Flashcards
(14 cards)
what is feminism?
Feminism is characterised by the belief that gender is the most significant division in society, and a desire to overthrow any disadvantage conferred due to sex.
what are the roots of feminism?
First wave liberal feminists’ demanded equal rights on the enlightenment principle that they were human beings and it was not rational for them to be denied this.
The emphasis was on individualism as the basis for gender equality.
what was the first wave (literature)
Mary Wollstonecraft argued for an equal right to a good education and a professional career, later reinforced by Charlotte Gilman, who attacked the “slavery” of housework.
John Stuart Mill advocated the same foundational rights for everyone, which should not be based on ‘accidents of birth’.
what were the suffragettes and what did they achieve?
The suffragists and later the suffragettes e.g. Emmeline Pankhust campaigned for and won the right to vote.
This emphasises the dominance of liberal feminism in the first wave.
what was the second wave of feminism?
Second wave’ liberal feminists in the 1960s believed the first wave had not gone far enough and that the position of women had hardly changed.
what was the impact of the second wave of feminism?
Second-wave liberal feminists achieved Equal Pay Acts, changed abortion laws and continue to push for equality in all spheres.
what is a socialist feminist?
Socialist feminism argues that gender inequality stems from economics and that capitalism creates patriarchy.
what is a radical feminist?
Radical feminism believes the biggest problem facing society is gender inequality and emerged in the 1960s/70s as part of the women’s liberation movement.
what are the key ideas of radical feminism?
Patriarchal dominance was evident in all areas of personal life and wider society, according to radical thinkers like Simone de Beauvoir and Germaine Greer.
They believe social conditioning of men and women takes place everywhere in our society and culture from childhood, so patriarchal values are accepted as the norm.
what is a post modern feminist?
Post-modern feminists argue that patriarchy manifests in different ways depending on a woman’s race, class etc.
what do feminists think about human nature?
A majority of feminists believe differences between men and women are minimal so gender equality must be the goal.
A minority of difference feminists believe the biological/psychological differences are significant - so women should pursue a separate course, apart from men.
what do feminists believe about the state?
believe it has a key role in promoting and legislating for gender equality, though radical feminists argue this is insufficient alone in overthrowing patriarchy.
Marxist feminists see it as an instrument of class rule and postmodern thinkers, like bell hooks, see the modern state as a legacy of white imperialist rule.
what do feminists believe about the economy?
Early socialist feminists see this as the main cause of female oppression as women are particularly exploited under capitalism.
Modern socialists believe the economy and society work together, with patriarchal power a key factor too.
All feminists want to see all women as economically independent and to see unjustifiable material inequalities end, though often disagree about how this can be best achieved from more reformist liberal views to more revolutionary socialist perspectives.
what do feminists believe about society?
All feminists argue women are treated unequally in society.
Liberal feminists focus on the public sphere, whilst radical feminists focus on the private sphere.
Post-modern feminists now see society as more complex than gender divisions.
Difference feminists see a separate course for women in society, free from male dominance and power, whilst egalitarian feminists want to see gender divisions removed at home and in wider society.
