Feminism L 2018-Introduction to feminist theory.pdf

About feminism

1. Introducing Feminist Theory
SOC:1200
Andrew Hicks
Department of
Sociology
University of Guyana

2. So what is it?
Feminist theory is one of the major contemporary
sociological theories, which analyzes the status of
women, men, girls and boys in society with the
purpose of using that knowledge to better the lives
of all individuals.

3. Basically…
It can be looked at as a form of Social
Class Theory, but instead of focusing on
the relationships between the classes it
focuses on the relationships between
the genders.
This body of theory examines the
thoughts, behaviors, values,
enfranchisements (admittance to
different areas of society), and power in
interactions between the sexes.

4. 3 common thoughts of Feminist Theory
Our civilization is prevalently patriarchal –or
male dominated (male president, male
business leaders, male religious heads, and
so on)…
The concepts of "gender" are largely, if not
entirely, cultural constructs, affected by the
universal patriarchal biases of our
civilization…
This patriarchal way of thinking also
saturates books that have been considered
great literature. These books lack
independent female role models, are
addressed to male readers, and leave the
woman reader an alien outsider.
Alternatively, they ask her to identify with
male values and ways of perceiving,
feeling, and acting…

5. What is Patriarchy?
Patriarchyis a social system in which males
are the primary authority figures…
It informs (directly or indirectly)that males
are central to social organization and thus
they occupy roles of political leadership,
moral authority, and exercise an almost
absolute control of property…
It implies the institutions of male rule and
privilege, and involvesfemale
subordination.

6. Feminist Theory; what questions are ask ?
How is the relationship between men and women portrayed?
What are the power relationships between men and women?
How are male and female roles defined?
What constitutes masculinity and femininity?
How do characters embody these traits?
Do characters take on traits from opposite genders? How so? How does this change
others’ reactions to them?

7. Feminist Theory; what questions are ask ?
oWhat does the work reveal about the operations (economically, politically,
socially, or psychologically) of patriarchy?
oWhat does the work imply about the possibilities of sisterhood as a mode of
resisting patriarchy?
oWhat does the work say about women's creativity?
oWhat does the history of the work's reception by the public and by the critics
tell us about the operation of patriarchy?
oWhat role the work play in terms of women's literary history and literary
tradition?
oIs this good for womankind?
oHow are women being portrayed?

8. Check out this 1930’s ad
What do you see?
What is it selling?
What is it saying?

9. Now ANALYZE the ad…
Reflect on the
questions listed on
the earlier slide…

10. Here are some more… Stereotype much?

11. Let’s look at something more modern…
What’s going on here?
What do you see?
What is the advertisement for?

13. Let’s analyze, shall we?
Keep the conversation
moving….in small groups…

14. And finally…
What if we switched the women in ads with men?

15. Feminist Perspectives on the Family
Feminists of all types have encouraged sociologists to see the family as an institution
involving power relationships –“the personal is political”
Feminism has challengedthe view of the family as being based on cooperation, shared
interests and love
Feminism has tried to show that men gain more from family life than women.

16. Understanding Feminism
Dictionary Definition: “Belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes”
In sociology, it means more than that.
There are several recognizable branches of feminism

17. Feminist Theory (2)
There are many types of feminism;
Liberal
Radical
Socialist
Marxist
Lesbian
Humanist

18. Liberal Feminism
18th century Liberal thought Mary Wollstonecraft A Vindication
of the Rights of Women(1792)
John Stuart Mill The Subjection of Women(1869).
Liberal feminists are concerned with extending to women the
liberal values of liberty, equality and justice through legal and
social reforms.
Legislative and political action--action, lobbying, courts--reformist
and gradualist.

19. Radical Feminists
Origins:Late 1960s New Left civil rights and anti-war protests.
Beliefs:Gender distinctions thought to be natural are actually
socially and politically constructed
Significant and radical change is needed in society

20. Kate Millett “The personal is political”
MEN, not just the patriarchy, at fault because all men benefit from women’s oppression.
patriarchal assumptions permeate all social institutions--including marriage, family, love,
heterosexuality etc.
Loosely organized groups calling for complete restructuring of society:
Betty Friedan (NOW); Germaine Greer, Gloria Steinem, Susan Steinmetz; Pam Allen and
Shulamith Firestone--the famous “bra burning” protest at Miss America Contest in Atlantic
City, New Jersey, on Sep 7, 1968.
Susan Brownmiller Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape
“Rape is the act of terror by which all men control all women”
Radical Feminists (examples.)

21. Socialist Feminism
Combining radical feminism with Marxist analysis--
Overthrow both class and gender -there is a symbiotic
relationship between capitalism and patriarchy –women
get exploited twice as women and as workers –DUAL
OPPRESSION
Extend notions of modes of production (Marxist economic
determinism) to other production—e.g. mothering

22. Other Feminist Schools
Marxist-feminismfocus on destruction of capitalism as way to
liberate women.
Lesbian feminismLesbian-feminist politics is a political critique of the
institution and ideology of heterosexuality as a cornerstone of male
supremacy
Rita Mae Brown, Charlotte Bunch, TiGrace Atkinson, McKinnon, Andrea Dworkin,
Adrienne Rich “Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence” (1980)
Humanist feminismwomen’s oppression is the inhibition and
distortion of women’s human potential by a society that only allows
the self-development of men.

23. Question
Is the “personal political”?

24. Please continue the
conversation…
Thank You