Flashcards on Feminism (2.2)

Feminist sociology is often seen as coming in distinct waves. When was the first?

When was the second wave of feminism?

The second wave grew out of a wider civil rights movement in America. What is this phase of feminism known as?

The Women's Liberation Movement encompassed some very radical approaches. What did they approaches aim to do?

The Movement also included some more moderate approaches. What did these look for?

When was the third wave of feminism?

Why sparked to third wave?

Although the different waves of feminism have distinct ideas, they do have share certain beliefs. What are they?

Additionally, they're critical of the claim that gender differences are simply a product of biological differences between men and women. Although some feminists see biology as having some influence, what do many believe?

The foundation upon which this view is based is a distinction between which two words?

This discussion was first introduced by which psychiatrist?

Which feminist elaborated Stoller's work?

What is the difference between 'sex' and 'gender'?

The assumption behind this distinction is that there is nothing natural about the differences between men and women in any particular society. Rather, what are the differences a product of?

Oakley supports this claim by providing examples of societies in which men's and women's roles are very different to those in our own society. What examples did she provide?

What is perhaps the most important contribution of feminism to sociology?

How do feminists regard mainstream sociology, and why?

Which feminist identifies the ways in which sociology is malestream?

Firstly, according to Abbot, sociology is malestream because it is unrepresentative. Discuss:

Secondly, sociology is malestream because issues of particular concern to women are neglected. Discuss:

Thirdly, sociology is malestream because women are arguably presented in sexist ways in sociological research. Discuss:

Finally, sociology is malestream because even when women are integrated into research, they are often merely added on to existing variables. Discuss:

However, what does Abbott accept?

Although feminists broadly agree that society is patriarchal and sociology is malestream and that both require alteration, there are five distinctive feminist perspectives that adopt varying positions. What are the five perspectives?

Which wave is radical feminism particularly associated with?

Radical feminists adopt the most extreme position, believing that women are exploited by and subservient to men. What do radical feminists think of the improvements in the position of women we have seen in recent years?

Radical feminists see patriarchy as a universal feature of society. How can it be challenged?

Some radical feminists can be regarded as 'female supremacists'. What is meant by this?

Other radical feminists are 'female separatists'. What is meant by this?

However, proposed solutions to male dominance vary and partially depend on the explanations for inequality. One early sociological explanation of female oppression was put forward by which feminist?

Firestone argued that there is a 'sexual class system' within our society. What does this system result from?

Why does the biological family put women at a disadvantage, according to Firestone?

What is the only way to overcome this power difference?

Which feminist denies that biology is the only or primary factor causing women's disadvantage?

According to Millet, several factors work together to keep women oppressed. Give examples of such factors:

What sort of status do women have, according to Millet?

Radical feminism has offered an important challenge to traditional sociological views and has highlighted some very important features of women's oppression. However, they have received heavy criticism. According to liberal feminists, what do radical feminists underestimate?

What do difference, black and postmodern feminists criticise radical feminists of?

Marxist and socialist feminists believe that radical feminists place too much importance on what?

According to marxist and socialist feminists, what factors are the key to understanding the position of women in society?

Generally, why are women economically disadvantaged, according to marxist and socialist feminists?

As such, marxist and socialist feminists believe that women will only achieve economic equality if they free themselves from other forms of inequality. How can they achieve this economic equality?

Which marxist argued that gender inequality had a materialist base?

What prompted gender inequality, according to Engels?

However, why has Engels' theory been criticised?

Stephanie Coontz and Peta Henderson also provide a materialist explanation. They argue that men became dominant through the practice of 'patrilocality'. What is this?

In contemporary society, marxist and socialist feminists have suggested a number of ways in which patriarchal domination is maintained and how it assists capitalism. How does Fran Ansley describe women?

Which marxist feminist argues that women reproduce a labour force by raising children at no cost to capitalists?

Marxist and socialist feminists argue that men have retained power because they have access to the best jobs and therefore have a higher income than women. However, what do marxist feminists arguably underplay?

By attributing gender inequality entirely to capitalism, what do marxist and socialist feminists fail to explain?

It can be argued that it is misleading to state that all women are in low-paid work, but it is undeniable that the average wages of female workers are still significantly lower than those of men. According to Lizzie Ward, what has further undermined the income of women working in the UK?

Liberal feminism is not a distinctive sociological perspective as such. Rather, what can the term be applied to?

Rather than seeking revolution, what is the aim of liberal feminism?

What did Betty Friedan attribute the lack of equal opportunities between the genders to?

Like other liberal feminists, Friedan argued that gender role socialisation and dominant cultural ideas about masculinity and femininity contributed to the subordination of women. How could these issues be addressed?

Unlike marxist, socialist and some radical feminists, liberal feminists do not place much emphasis on social structure. Rather, what do they see as particularly important in creating inequality between men and women?

Liberal feminism has perhaps been the most influential of all feminist perspectives. Many of the reforms they have been advocates of have been implemented over recent decades. Give examples of Acts that protect women from discrimination in the workplace?

Liberal feminists, much more than other feminists, believe that the position of women in society has improved. However, they believe equality is yet to be achieved. What problems do women still face, according to liberal feminists Natasha Walter?

Additionally, Walter believes that sexism is returning to British culture, which creates new problems for women. Why is it returning, according to Walker?

What is the major strength of liberal feminism?

The significant reductions in gender inequality since the 1970s do appear to support its theoretical stance that what aspects of society are significant in maintaining patriarchal power?

However, why do radical feminists like Germaine Greer criticise liberal feminism?

Which third-wave feminist agrees that radical changes are still needed to liberate women fully?

Aune notes that whatever limited success in reducing gender inequality Western countries have witnessed, women in poorer countries are still victims of patriarchal. However, what does Aune arguably underestimate?

Dissatisfaction with radical, marxist, socialist and liberal feminism led to the development of black feminism. How do black feminists regard other types of feminism?

According to black feminists, what have other feminists adopted with regards to black women?

Who was the pioneering black feminist?

According to bell hooks, what has given black women a unique insight into the nature of oppression?

Heidi Safia Mirza, a British black feminist, argues a distinctive black British feminism is essential. Why?

Black feminism has also been influential in developing what other form of feminism?

Black feminism has succeeded in extending other feminist analysis and highlighting neglected areas of research. It has helped it highlight the value of using the experiences of oppressed women to understand the social world. However, what can it be accused of emphasising?

What wave of feminism is postmodern feminism linked to?

How do postmodern feminists follow some of the general views of postmodernists?

Postmodern feminists therefore reject the idea of a single path to female liberation. How do they see attempts to achieve 'equality'?

What heavily influenced postmodern feminism?

According to poststructuralism, what has had a significant impact on the production of society?

Poststructuralism sees all aspects of society as social creations, arguing that significant changes can occur simply as a result of changing the way in which language is used. Following this line of thought, how can women's position be improved?

How does Helene Cixous describe language, and why?

Why does Sylvia Walby criticise postmodern feminism?

Which influential feminist's ideas highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of postmodern feminism?

Butler has adopted many of the arguments of postmodern feminism - for example, she attaches considerable importance to language in the creation of gender. However, what does she put much more emphasis on?

How does Butler refer to this performance of gender?

Butler claims that everyday gestures and movements help to create the impression that there are essential differences between men and women. What does this suggest about existing feminist explanations of gender inequality?

Feminism has made a substantial contribution to sociology in a number of ways. Give examples:

However, feminism hasn't always succeeded in integrating other inequalities into the understanding of gender. As a social movement, it hasn't eradicated all inequality between men and women. In Britain, what has undermined some of the progress made by feminism?