Theories of Gender

Oppression
Chapters 12 and 13

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What is Theory?
1) A set of assumptions that are used to
develop testable hypothesis about reality.
2) Every theory has:
Assumptions -educated guesses that cannot be
proven.
Propositions statement of relationship between
two or more ideas.
Social Policy Implications Formal rules that affect
people living in particular locale

Classical Liberal Theory

1) Historical Significance of CLT

Most influential theory shaping public policy today.

Both Republicans and Democrats justify their policies
using the foundation of CLT
CLT moved societies from theocracies to democracies
in a period call The Enlightenment.
CLT and Anarchy were contemporary theories vying
for prominence in U.S, U.K. and France.

CLT continued
2) CLT assumptions about Human Nature
Humans are rational

Rationality is a mental capacity that allows all humans the

ability to act on their own self-interest. Thus, we seek
rewards and avoid punishments.
Rationality creates:
Abstract Individualism -Free Will Rules. Networks and Social Class Dont
Dualism: Mind/Body Split
We are not governed by emotions or social
pressure

Are We Rational?
Myth/Fact?

Annual job reviews increase productivity.

Teaching about birth control in schools
increases teenage pregnancy
Politicians are equally influenced by
constituents regardless of money/power
Supreme Court Justices are neutral
I always make the most economically rational
decision for myself and my family

Dan Arielly: Predictably Irrational

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=9X68dm92HVI
Start at 2:39

CLT Cont
Problems with Abstract Individualism and
Dualism.

How do these problems affect Meritocracy

the driving assumption of our society.

CLT Continued
3) Propositions
Given assumptions about rationality, the
following propositions exist:
a) Neutral state exists so that it can control
inevitable conflict that will occur due to rational
people pursuing their best interest
b) Education ensures that people will act
rationally rather than based on emotions (such
as bias, racism, sexism, etc).

Applying CLT to Classical Liberal

Feminist Theory
1) Use the same assumptions and
propositions as CLT.
2) They argue that oppression occurs
because they are acting irrational.

CLFT Policy for Ending Oppression

1) Education
2) Government sanctions

Marxism
1) Marx and Historical Materialism

Social context of Marxs writings

What is historical materialism

Marxism
2) Marxism
A) Assumptions of human nature
species being given that production and reproduction are
fundamental.
B) Propositions
Class is relational
Capitalism causes: exploitation, alienation, false
consciousness, hegemony
State and other institutions are tools of capitalists.
Hegemony is a tool capitalists use to maintain power.
C) Policy to end oppression: ?
D) Marxs problem about other oppression besides class.

Socialist Feminism
3) What do Socialist Feminists claim?

A) Assumptions about human nature

Species being no group enjoys oppression, be it class,

gender or race.

B) Propositions
Capitalists will organize society so that they benefit from
patriarchy (public/private split).
Men as a group organize so that they benefit from patriarchy
(Public/private split)
The State works for capitalists

SF continued

C). Solutions to End Oppression

Get rid of public/private split, class
oppression.

Radical Feminism
1) History This theory emerged in the sixties. Critiqued Marxist
theory.
2) What do Radical Feminists claim?
A)

Assumptions Patriarchy-- Men as a group desire control over women as

a group and organize society around oppression. Other theories cannot
explain footbinding, infibulation, sex trafficking, porn. etc.
B) Propositions:
Men and women control women through:
Controlling Motherhood (and devalue it)
Controlling Sexuality
State helps in control by failing to write laws or writing laws that allow men
to control womens bodies and role in society.
C) Solutions -- Allow women to control motherhood and sexuality.

Multi-Racial Feminists
1) Assumptions
Species Being; the world will always be heterogeneous.
Oppression exists when people deny differences.

2) Propositions
Peoples racial identities lead to macro-level segregation, which
leads to oppression. (for instance, biology shows people who live
closer have chromosomes most similar).
Racism and Sexism are organizing principles of society.
Segregation leads to different kind of sexism and classism in homes
of people of color.

3) Solutions:
Get rid of segregation
Understand the relational nature of race oppression.

Post-Modern Feminists
1) Assumptions Positivism is false. There is no knowable reality.
Just people struggling to control what is considered knowledge.
2) Propositions Oppression is caused by powerful people
controlling language, discourse. For example, many of us believe
violence is everywhere because media.
3) Solutions Open up media and other institutions so everyone
has opportunity.
Solution: Reality needs to be deconstructed to examine how
power is used. Deconstruction is: Breaking down social reality to
examine the subtext embedded beneath the surface of social reality.

Feminism
What is it?
Why does the word have such a bad rap?
History of Feminist Movement

First Wave cult of true womanhood, moral

Second Wave equality, consciousness-raising

Third Wave? Women should exploit the little power

they have