A comprehensive list of all the information needed for studying Feminism as part of the Pearson Edexcel Government & Politics A-Level. Includes key terms and their definitions; the origins of different feminist movements; the views of different feminist subtraditions, including accompanying quotes ...
Key Terms
Feminism Ideology which believes that society and related institutions do not work equally in the interests of
women and men.
Liberal Apply individualism and foundational equality to women on political and legal rights
Feminists
Socialist Believe that inequality between the genders is caused by capitalism which needs to be overthrown
Feminists
Radical Argue that society is fundamentally patriarchal so needs radical change, especially in the private
Feminists sphere
Post-Modern Focus on difference and argue that there is no fixed understanding of a woman and this can have
Feminists different definitions
Patriarchy The belief that society is dominated by men and run in their interests.
Sex Biological/natural differences, unalterable
Gender Cultural differences (made by society), can change
Public sphere Life outside the home; wider society, politics and work; dominated by men
Private sphere Life inside the home; housework, family and domestic life; dominated by women
Intersectionality Branch of feminism that aims to widen the narrow focus of traditional feminism. Argue that gender
is not a singular factor in determining a woman’s fate, instead believing that traits such as class and
race also have a significant impact.
Difference Argue that men and women are fundamentally different. They believe that essential biological
Feminists differences shape the ways in which people behave and should be celebrated.
Essentialism Contested idea that refers to the fundamental nature of the biological differences between men
and women. Some feminists say that such differences are essential to an understanding of the
status of women; others claim it should be irrelevant.
Origins of Feminist Movements
Wave Period Society at the time Ideas/Priorities
First Mid-19th Women faced a number of legal Winning the vote
Century restrictions to their advancement, Demanded the same political and legal rights as men
such as the vote, bank accounts Believed that discrimination would disappear with
etc. the provision of the vote
Second 1960s- Women were expected to be ‘Feminine Mystique’ acknowledges that the ‘problem
80s housewives, and men with no name’ had not been solved with the vote
breadwinners. Many women didn’t Focus on societal roles of men and women
have careers. Discuss patriarchy, sex and gender
Third 1990s Women were expected to fulfil Concerned that feminism had only focused on white
domestic and vocational duties. MC women
Accepted that there are differences between the
experiences of women from different cultures
Fourth 21st Many (men) feel as though equality Reaction to the misogyny and sexism shown through
Century has been achieved, particularly due print and social media
to the lack of overt legal barriers Argue that inequalities are caused by these
women face. representations as it creates cultural argument for
women’s role
Feminist Subtradition Views
Patriarchy
, Liberal Use patriarchy to draw attention to the unequal distribution of Betty Friedan – the patriarchy means
Feminist rights and entitlements such as underrepresentation of women in women face physical barriers as well
s senior roles. Cultural attitudes that reinforce women’s sense of as the confines of social expectations
inferiority must be combatted. De Beauvoir – “Society, being
codified by a man, decrees that
woman is inferior; she can do away
with this inferiority only by
destroying the male’s superiority.”
Socialist Emphasise the economic aspects of patriarchy to focus on Sheila Rowbotham - Under
Feminist interlinked oppression. Some reject the term as just a capitalism, there is little hope that
s consequence of capitalism. women will ever be able to escape
from an exploitative patriarchal
society.
Radical Stress that patriarchy is a systematic and pervasive form of male Kate Millett – there are two
Feminist power. Male domination of the family reflects their domination of principles of patriarchy: men
s wider life. Patriarchy is the defining problem facing women and it dominate women and old dominate
needs to be overthrown rather than reformed. young. Men oppress women in all
fields.
Post- It is not the most important thing as an intersectional approach is bell hooks – the battle against racism
Modern necessary. must go hand-in-hand with the
Feminist battle against sexism; the patriarchy
s has taught women to hate
themselves
Equality
Liberal Legal and political equality to allow women to compete on equal Betty Friedan lobbied in favour of
Feminist terms. Women should enjoy equality of opportunity with men. legislative reform to address gender
s inequality.
Simone de Beauvoir – women don’t
have to emulate men in order to be
treated as equals.
Socialist Equality is meaningless without social and economic equality. Perkins Gilman – there is no reason
Feminist why women cannot play an equal
s part alongside men in modern
economies.
Radical Equality must be achieved in the private sphere. Kate Millett – men oppress women
Feminist in all circumstances.
s
Post- Seek equality for all, not just middle-class white women. bell hooks – the battle against racism
Modern must go hand-in-hand with the
Feminist battle against sexism
s
Private Sphere
Liberal The private sphere should not be politicised; it should be a realm Betty Friedan – housewives are “tied
Feminist of personal choice and individual freedom. to the kitchen sink”
s
Socialist The responsibilities of private life should be transferred to the Charlotte Perkins Gilman – the
Feminist state; an extended welfare state can emancipate women; the inferior position of women in the
s oppression of the private sphere is caused by capitalism. The home is a model of their subordinate
nuclear family reflects and reinforces patriarchy. position in wider life.
Radical The private sphere needs to be made political. Shulamith Firestone – Women are
Feminist constrained by childbirth and
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