Unit 2 Politics- Feminism

What are the core ideas and principles? - -Most of these core ideas and principles are associated with the second wave radical feminism. -Radical feminism introduced new ideas and concepts for discussing and challenging the role of women in society. -Although there has been discussion before it has mostly been arranged around the language of liberalism or socialism. 5 Key ideas - -Sex and gender. -Patriarchy. -The personal is political. -Equality and difference feminism. -Intersectionality. Sex and Gender - -A key focus has been on why society generally ascribes the domestic and child- rearing roles to women. -Many feminist argue that this is because of the blurring of the terms sex and gender. -Sex refers to the biological differences between men and women- their body shape, reproductive organs etc. -Gender is the innate characteristics of women e.g.; women are sensitive and emotional whilst men are logical and confident. -Feminists argue that whilst the differences in sex are clear the differences in gender fully down to society. -In different cultures peoples sex is the same but the gendered roles can be very different as can ideas about masculinity and femininity suggesting they come from society. -The language and ascribes roles around the ideas women encourage women to be subordinate to men. -Terms masculine and feminine are used to describe an 'ideal' gender type for men and women to aspire to. This is a ley way in which society seeks to keep women in a subordinate position. -It is then no surprise hat the key characteristics for women to aspire to are to be calm and passive, compassionate and thoughtful, poised and elegant. -Virginia Woolf- A Room of One's Own (1929)- 'she was intensely sympathetic. She was immensely charming She was utterly unselfish. She excelled in the difficult arts of family life.' Patriarchy - -This term is used to describe a society that is dominated by men and run in their interests. -Most definitions see it as a systematic oppression of women by men suggesting it is pervasive throughout society. -In Theorising Patriarchy (1990) Sylvia Walby identified the patriarchy's pervasive and systematic nature as a "system of interrelated social structures which allow men to exploit women". Six structures of Patriarchy- Sylvia Walby - -State. -Household. -Violence. -Paid Work. -Sexuality. -Culture. State - -Women have less representation or roles in position of power. -When they are able to access these roles they often reject them due to anti-family working hours or sexist working places. Household - -Women have been conditioned to believe that domesticity is destiny, and have been discouraged from pursuing occupations that take them out of the home. -Many feminists agree with Kate Millet's view that 'the family is patriarchy's chief institution'.