Feminist Theory 1

Feminism - 1. The movement for social, political, and economic equality of women and men 2. Feminism means that women have the right to enough information to make informed choices about their lives 3. Believe that changes made to advance gender equality will result in benefits to both women and men Major Strains of Feminism 1. Liberal - Primary source of women's oppression is gender role socialization. Men's social roles afforded more social status and power which leads to political, social, legal, and economic inequality. Major Strains of Feminism 2. Radical - Patriarchy and male dominance is central to women's oppression. Explains violence against women and women's offending. Major Strains of Feminism 3. Marxist - Women's oppression is due to their subordinate class status within a capitalist society. Women are more likely to occupy the working class instead of the ruling class. Women commit crimes to support themselves. Major Strains of Feminism 4. Socialist - The combination of class and patriarchy oppresses women. Major Strains of Feminism 5. Postmodern - Because women's experiences differ, feminist theory should reflect this. Major Strains of Feminism 6. Black Feminism, Critical Race Feminism & Multiracial Feminism - Views women's oppression in terms of simultaneous gender and race based disadvantage. Three Waves of Feminism: Wave 1 (mid-late 1800's) - Birth of the abolitionist and women's suffrage movement in the US Three Waves of Feminism: Wave 2 (1960's and 1970's) - Women's liberation and civil rights movement Three Waves of Feminism: Wave 3 (1980's and 1990's) - Belief that there exist multiple diverse perspectives of women as they are related to issues of race, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality. Traditional Approaches to studying Female Crime - 1. Often reduced to a challenge to the prescribed traditional gender roles 2. Often focus on why girls and women are less likely to engage in crime than on why some do. 3. Current increases in female crime attributed to more freedom and opportunity and changes in labels. 4. Demonizes violent girls and girls of color Add and Stir approach - uses traditional theories to explain male and female behavior