Feminism

Introduction20th Century Ideology

Term came about in 19th Century

2 Beliefs

Women are disadvantaged because of their sex

Disadvantage must be overthrown

2-Feminization of men, or masculinization of women

OriginsTraced back to Ancient Greece

Christine de Pizan is first feminist

First wave feminism appears mid-19th Century

Prospers where democracy is greatest

2- 1405, Book of the City of Ladies, argued that women are just as entitled as men3- Demand for equal political and legal rights4-USA is major leader, Seneca Falls Convention, National Women’s Suffrage Association, etc

Origins

First Wave Feminism ends in 1893

Second Wave Feminism emerges in 1960’s

Goal is women’s liberation

Feminism has established the concept of gender

1-NZ granting suffrage, rest of the world follows over next 35-40 years (19th Amendment -1920)2- Women did not gain equality just because of suffrage2b- May need some sort of revolution to accomplish

Origins

Feminism exists in western world and developed world by 1990’s

Feminism has become deradicalized

Feminism has become much more diverse

At least 10 different “versions” now

2- Step back from 1970’s and uncompromising

Core Themes

Originally seen as a subset of liberalism or socialism

With changes, you get “dual-Feminism”

4 Core Themes

1- Radical feminism of 70’s changed2-Aspects of different ideologies

1. Redefining “the Political”

Public vs Private life

Politics take place everywhere

Public is men’s, private is women’s

Feminism fights to break down the wall

1-Political is always viewed as public, family is viewed as private2-All relationships are political, Family too3- This is unacceptable4-Public vs Private, no clear path how to do it

2. Patriarchy

Gender is another way to divide people

Patriarchy-Power relationship between men and women

Used multiple ways

1-Compared to Race: Sexism and Racism3-Structure of family (Husband and wife) or in society as a whole

PatriarchyOppression has occurred at all points, but improved

Still exists in some places harshly

1- Access to education, marriage law, abortion, etc2- Africa: 80 Million women circumcised, dowry system in India

3. Sex and GenderNo way nature has disadvantaged women

“Traditional Family” is Wrong

Difference in Sex and Gender

Human nature is androgynous

1- May be mother but shouldn’t do it all2- Men can raise children, or share equally3-Sex is biological, gender is societal4- We possess male and female traits

Sex and Gender

Seeks to achieve a genderless “personhood”

Most find this empowering

Some oppose the Sex/gender difference

3- There are profound differences and we accept them, Sex may not be as clear cut as we say

4. Equality and Difference

Socialist-Equal rights worthless unless socially equal

Radical feminists want equality in family and personal life

Difference feminist view equality as a whole wrong

Overall: What equality means is problematic, Over time there have been a lot of disagreements3- quality could mean “like men” = Bad

Equality and Difference

Pro-Woman View-differences have political and social importance

Differences is hormone related

Women Should celebrate their differences

2-Not social structure3- Become a fulfilled woman

Types of FeminismClosely related to Liberalism and Socialism

Conservatism never played a role

Islamic Feminism is unique

5 Main types

2- Supports Patriarchy, women roles are just as important3- Most would say is demeaning, they view as uplifting

1. Liberal Feminism

“Vindication of Women”-First Feminist text

“Accidents of Birth” have no bearing

Women shouldn’t be discouraged from “life”

Friedan founds National Organization for Women

1- Women are entitled to the same rights as men3- Women are taught that they should be domestic for safety (Betty Friedan)4- NOW is first and largest women’s organization

Liberal Feminism

People are entitled to rights, no matter what

Liberal Feminism is reformist

Liberal feminists haven’t paid attention to private sphere

Assumes women have equal access

2-Open up public life to women and put them on equal footing3- Men and women have natural pulls in the pubic life, that’s ok4-Not true in a lot of the developing world

2. Socialist FeminismAppears second half of 20th Century

Relationship between sexes is social and economic

Capitalism has harmed women

Family becomes bourgeois

2-Need profound and revolutionary change3- Traditional Societies were more women based, capitalism is male based4- Men dominate, pass things on to sons, monogamous marriage (even they don’t follow it) etc.

Socialist FeminismWomen being in the home plays into capitalism

Marxists-Sex exploitation is bad, but not as bad as class

Modern- Sex exploitation is just as bad as class

1-By having children, creating the next generation of capitalists. Worker finds job because his wife supports it2- Equality will come once classes are done away with3- Socialism won’t do away with patriarchy

3. Radical FeminismAppears in 1960-70’s

Uncover patriarchy in EVERYTHING

Women have disadvantages in all aspect of society

Women are repressed in sexuality

2-Not just politics, public life, and economy3- Culture, Philosophy, Morality, and Religion4- Active and Adventurous side is ignored

Radical Feminism

Children are conditioned at a young age

Gender is the biggest division in the world

Women have different characteristics

Sexual equality is impossible

1- Clothing, art, culture, literature, etc3- Those characteristics such creativity are superior to men4- All relationships involve some sort of oppression

4. Third-Wave FeminismAppeared in 1990’s

More radically involved in changed

Women of color and lower income women given greater voice

Focus on identity

1- Can’t relate to women of the 60’s and 70’s2- Women are different from men because they are different from each other4- And how those identities are constructed

5. Transfeminism

Addresses transgender/transsexuality

Gender is based on social performance

Feminism has helped the trans community

1- Gender fluidity and gender and sexual ambiguity3- Addresses sexism and Transphobia

6. Post FeminismProcess of deradicalization

Women aren’t victims

Women need to take responsibility for own destiny

Take steps to reach fullest potential

1- Reject second wave feminism

Global AgeIs feminism a global ideology?

Feminist ideas are generally “western ideals”

Sexual equality devalues women’s role in home

Women are traditionally underrepresented in workers rights and labor organizations

1- Seen most success in developed nations2- Doesn’t apply in Middle East and Africa