FEMINISM

Introduction to Sociology

Feminism

Belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. The movement organized around this belief.

Feminism

Feminist Theory is an outgrowth of the general movement to empower women worldwide. Feminism can be defined as a recognition and critique of male supremacy combined with efforts to change it.

Feminism

The goals of feminism are:

To

demonstrate the importance of women To reveal that historically women have been subordinate to men To bring about gender equity.

Feminism
Simply put: Feminists fight for the equality of women and argue that women should share equally in societys opportunities and scare resources.

Types

Individualist feminism Relational Feminism

(Karen Offen)

History

As old as human history itself. In Germany the feminists were fighting for the right of women to engage in sexual relations regardless of marital and legal consideration. Marianne Weber (the wife of Max Weber) was a feminist

History

Weber thought that women should be treated equally in the social institution of marriage, along with all the other social institutions. She made it clear that marriage was between a man and a woman

History

The contemporary feminism movement began in the 1960s.

Free love helped escape the sexual double standard. Divorce became commonplace Women were happy housewives no more Higher level employment and fulfillment outside the home were becoming the norm

Liberal Feminism

All people are created equal and should not be denied equality of opportunity because of gender Liberal Feminists focus their efforts on social change through the construction of legislation and regulation of employment practices

Liberal Feminism

Inequality stems from the denial of equal rights. The primary obstacle to equality is sexism.

Marxist Feminism

Division of labor is related to gender role expectations. Females give birth. Males left to support family Bourgeoisie=Men Proletariat=Women

Radical Feminism

Male power and privilege is the basis of social relations Sexism is the ultimate tool used by men to keep women oppressed

Radical Feminism

Women are the first oppressed group Women's oppression is the most widespread Womens oppression is the deepest

Radical Feminism

Womens oppression causes the most suffering Womens oppression provides a conceptual model for understanding all other forms of oppression

Radical Feminism

Men control the norms of acceptable sexual behavior Refusing to reproduce is the most effective way to escape the snares Speak out against all social structures because they are created by men

Socialist Feminism

Views womens oppression as stemming from their work in the family and the economy Womens inferior position is the result of classbased capitalism Socialist believe that history can be made in the private sphere (home) not just the public sphere (work)

Socialist Feminism

Arguments:
An

increased emphasis on the private sphere and the role of women in the household Equal opportunities for women in the public sphere

Postmodern Feminism

Attempts to criticize the dominant order. All theory is socially constructed. Rejects claim that only rational, abstract thought and scientific methodology can lead to valid knowledge.

Postmodern Feminism

The basic idea is that looking to the past is no longer the way to go. We are a global economic world highlighted by technology. Looking to the past no longer applies.

Gender Differences

Girls begin to suffer bouts of clinical depression form the frustration they experience when their bodies changes. Beyond depression and thoughts of suicide, girls are more vulnerable to eating disorders, substance abuse, and dropping out of school. Body is at heart of the crisis of confidence for adolescent girls. By the age thirteen, 53 percent of American girls are unhappy with their bodies; by the age of seventeen, 78 percent are dissatisfied.

Societys Influence

Women found in their body image a sense of self definition and a way to announce who they are to the world. Today many young girls worry about the contours of the bodies especially shape, size, and muscle tone because they believe that the body is the ultimate expression of the self.

Societys Influence

Fashion and the film industry are two huge influences on societal expectations that women display their bodies sexually. The sexual revolution liberated women from the Victorian of modesty but also demanded a commitment to diet and beauty.

Doing Gender

Many feminist theorists believe that an individual is labeled at birth as a member of a sex category, either male of female, and from that point on, is held to acting accordingly. Gender is not something that one has or something that one is; rather, it is something that one does.

Gender as Social Structure

Risman does not accept the criteria of nature as a way to distinguish behavior expectations. She is especially upset by the field of sociobiology.

Gender as Social Structure

By assigning people to one or two categoriesmale or female- society has created difference between them. Risman feels that genders strongest influence is found at the interactional level, and therein lies the deepest liability for the continuation of inequality in American family life

Relevancy

Feminism can be defined as a social movement and an ideology in support of the idea that a larger share of scarce resources should be allocated to women. Feminist believe that women should enjoy the same rights in society as men and that should share equity in societys opportunities.

Relevancy

Feminist sociological theory represents an attempt to give a voice to women and female perspective. Feminist sociological theory is generally critical of the traditional scientific sociological approach that stresses a commitment to neutrality, objectivity, and empirical research. There are many criticisms of feminists.

Relevancy

One is that they leave themselves wide open to attack because they themselves are very biased in their approach. Second, although a commitment to empirical research is not a must in designs of social theory; relying on such techniques as oral testimony and the analysis of such content a diaries risk a lack of objectivity and bias. When an individual is asked for his or her story, it is always biased from his or her perspective.

Relevancy

Third, most feminists claim that all sociological theories are gender-biased but fail to provide any proof of this claim. Fourth, gender is just one variable in human interaction. Many feminist believe that interactions are based solely on gender distinction.

Relevancy

Fifth criticism of the feminism comes from within feminist sociological theory itself. The fact that there is such a great variety of sociological feminist theories represents a clear lack of consensus among feminists as to the best means to go about fighting sexism, discrimination, and oppression.

Relevancy

Sexism and discrimination exists in nearly all social institutions. Religion is a long time perpetuator of gender inequality- like Catholic Church forbids females from being priests. Giving a voice to women remains feminist sociological theorys greatest contribution to the field of sociology specifically and society in general.