feminism an introduction

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A basic introduction

Aim of the session is to

Provide you with a brief overview of the basics of Feminist Theory & get you familiar with the key concepts Underpinning this sociological perspective

Learning Outcomes:

•By the end of the session you should all have a basic understanding of the Feminist Perspective.•Be able to define important key concepts•And independently undertake a plenary activity to apply your knowledge & understanding of this perspective.

Question ?Write down what you automatically think ofwhen you are asked toConsider what is a feminist or Feminism.

What is Feminism?Like Marxism, Feminism is a Structural, Conflict Theory.

Feminists are not allSkin headed lesbian men hating women

Feminism is a broad term covering several types or branches

Radical DisabledMarxistBlackDifferenceLiberal

And even MEN can be feminists

The list goes on..................

Feminism isConcerned with exploring the inequalities that exist between men & womenin society from a female perspective& illustrate how males dominate social relationships & restrict the opportunities of women.

Consider the clip which reflects how women were traditionally seen.

Harry Enfield: Women Know Your Limits

Brief Background to Feminism

•Campaigners for equality for women bought about Feminism. •At the beginning of the 20th Century, women were campaigning for equal rights in terms of education, marriage, employment & politics. •Second Wave Feminism emerged as a challenge to existing social theories which were Male-stream, meaning dominated by male thinkers & therefore bias, sexist & lacking in emotional focus & a femalePerspective on things.

The Suffragettes

The Suffragette Movement•Emmeline Pankhurst born in Manchester was married to Marsden Pankhurst an MP & barrister, who worked with her to promote equality for women.•Emmeline led the British suffragette movement & after many frustrating years of government ignoring them, they eventually won the right for all British women to vote.•The suffragettes had chained themselves to railings, set fire to government buildings & became more violent in their attempt to get women equality with men.

By Summer 1914, 1,00’0’s of suffragettes had been imprisoned.But in July, World War I provided a real turning point for the campaign.

Women had to do the work of men in the factories, on the Land and support & care for their families. The government could not deny then, that they were equally as capable as men & gave women over the age of 30 the right to vote.

Sadly, after all the hard work in fighting to get women treated equally with men,Emmeline died just a few weeks after British women were granted the right to vote.

Today, although much has been achieved through campaign activity,Women still earn on average 80% of male earnings for doing the Same job & are still victims of Structural, cultural & economicGender discrimination & inequality.

So, let’s take a look at what Feministstoday, are still cocerned about.

As we noted earlier, there are several differenttypes of Feminist theory, but all of them share certain characteristics.

•They all believe that there is a fundamental division in society between men & women.•That women are to some extent exploited by men.•That society is male dominated or Patriarchal.

Differences between the perspectives ofdifferent Feminists....

Variations between Feminists can be lumped into 4 broad approaches

•Radical•Marxist•Liberal•Difference

Radical feministsOne of the most significant but controversial voices of this perspective in the 2oth Century is Australian born Germaine Greer. Academic writer, journalist & scholar.

Radical (basically meaning extreme)feminists Believe that men are the enemy, and that they control, exploit & oppress women

through the process of patriarchy (male rule or domination) in employment, family relations, sexual relations & status.

Radical Feminists solution to this:

•Men give up their patriarchy•Women exist without men & self-reproduce•Women keep their lives separate from men•Abolish the nuclear family unit

Marxist Feminism

In the 1970’s a number of women began to drawUpon Marxist theory to explain the oppression ofWomen in society.They do not see women’s oppression arising solely From Patriarchy, but primarily from Capitalism thatForces them to be unpaid labourers & nurturers in Order to maintain capitalism.

Fran Ansley (1972)

Ansley believes that women suffer as a result of Capitalism due to being the

‘takers of shit’ whereby they absorb their Husbands frustration at his powerlessness & status in a Capitalist Society. She argues that women act as a

safety valve that ensures that capitalism continues & the bourgeoisie remain powerful & wealthy.

Liberal FeminismLiberal Feminism is less of a theoretical perspective and more of a political movement. They tend to criticise other Feminists for ignoring the progress that has been made in society with regards to gender inequality. They are also more likely to argue that genderRoles are also limiting for men

Ann OakleyOakley like many other liberal feminists focuses her research on Identifying discrimination & lack of equality of Opportunity for womenin order to highlight these issuesand to raise awareness & change attitudes.

Difference FeminismBasically, the 3 branches of feminism we have just Considered tend to see women as a single group who share the same interests, experiences & types of exploitation.

Difference Feminism, that has much in common with Postmodernism, argues that women have a variety of interests & needs and are not one single united group.

For example•Many women are lone parents so are not exploited by a cohabiting man.•Different cultures or families from different ethnic backgrounds have varied gender relationships in them that are notConsidered to be exploitative but ratherNatural & right. •Lesbian relationships

Radical Feminism Marxist Feminism Liberal Feminism

Society is controlled by

Society is defined as...

Who benefits from inequality

What is to blame for inequality

Solutions to the exploitation

Criticisms

Make a copy of this table on A3 paperCut up the statements you’ve been givenAnd then using your hand-outs decide which statement belongs to which Feminist perspective.

Men Primarily Capitalism & Men

Mainly men but some women do have power

Recognises inequality exists but doesn’t really provide a theory to explain why or how it continues.

Places too much emphasis on men working & women’s lack of finances. More male unemployment lately-Welfare state support

Patriarchy doesn’t explain why women are exploited only how.Exaggerates the extent of inequality in society.

Men Having a lack of equality of opportunity

Nobody. Gender stereotypes mean that men miss out on raising children & women in paid work.

Separation of the sexes and women become self-reproductive

Get rid of sexism in the socialization processNew reforms & laws against discrimination

Revolution or more economic equality to balance men & women’s financial power

Women are dominated by men due to biology –men are stronger, women give birth

Men’s status as paid employer means women are financially dependent on men

Socialization into gender roles & sexist discrimination

Patriarchal Patriarchal The Bourgeoisie & Men/husbands

Radical Feminism Marxist Feminism Liberal Feminism

Society is controlled by

Men Primarily Capitalism & Men

Mainly men but some women do have power

Society is defined as...

Patriarchal Patriarchal Having a lack of equality of opportunity

Who benefits from inequality

Men The Bourgeoisie & Men/husbands

Nobody. Gender stereotypes mean that men miss out on raising children & women in paid work.

What is to blame for inequality

Women are dominated by men due to biology –men are stronger, women give birth

Men’s status as paid employer means women are financially dependent on men

Socialization into gender roles & sexist discrimination

Solutions to the exploitation

Separation of the sexes and women become self-reproductive

Revolution or more economic equality to balance men & women’s financial power

Get rid of sexism in the socialization processNew reforms & laws against discrimination

Criticisms Patriarchy doesn’t explain why women are exploited only how.Exaggerates the extent of inequality in society.

Places too much emphasis on men working & women’s lack of finances. More male unemployment lately-Welfare state support

Recognises inequality exists but doesn’t really provide a theory to explain why or how it continues.