History of Feminism Movement

10 Questions

What was the main goal of the First-wave Feminist movement in the 19th century?

To gain women's suffrage and political rights

How did Second-wave Feminism in the 1960s differ from the earlier First-wave Feminism?

It focused on the personal, psychological, and sexual aspects of women's oppression rather than just political and legal rights.

What was the key difference between Liberal Feminism and Radical Feminism?

Liberal Feminism focused on reforming existing institutions, while Radical Feminism sought a more revolutionary process for change.

What is the central idea behind the concept of 'Patriarchy' in Feminist theory?

The systematic oppression of women through the sexual division of labor.

What was the significance of the 'public man' vs. 'private woman' dichotomy in Feminist thought?

It showed how the public/private sphere distinction was a key aspect of patriarchal oppression.

Radical feminists believe that:

Every relationship or act is based on something political.

How do Socialist feminists connect women's role in the family to the maintenance of the capitalist economic system?

By linking women's responsibilities in the family to the capitalist economic system.

What does Patriarchy mean in the context of the text?

Male dominance within and outside the family.

Liberal feminists focus on:

The equal distribution of rights and entitlements in society.

What do Radical feminists consider as the deepest and most important cleavage?

Gender.

Study Notes

Feminism

Developed as an organized movement in the 19th century, known as 'First-wave Feminism'
Became more prominent in the 1960s with 'Second-wave Feminism'
Aims to advance the social role of women, with two core beliefs:
- Women are disadvantaged due to their sex
- This disadvantage can and should be overthrown

First-Wave Feminism (19th century)

Focused on female suffrage, believing it would bridge the gap of sexual discrimination
Goal was women's emancipation
Strongest in countries with strong political democracy
Achievement: female suffrage was introduced in New Zealand in 1893

Second-Wave Feminism (1960s)

Acknowledged that legal and political rights weren't enough to solve the "women's question"
Focused on personal, psychological, and sexual aspects of oppression
Goal was women's liberation, demanding a more revolutionary process for change
Influential book: "The Feminist Mystique" by Betty Friedan

Post-Feminism

Feminism has become deradicalized and diversified, moving beyond its initial ideology
Post-feminism represents a radical diversification and fragmentation with various strands of feminism

Traditions of Feminism

Liberal Feminism
Marxist or Social Feminism
Radical Feminism
Dual-system Feminisms (e.g., blending radical feminism with Marxist or Socialist ideas)

Core Themes

Redefining the Political: politics is not limited to the public sphere, but also within social groups and family relations
Patriarchy: rule by men, characterized by sexual and generational oppression
Equality and Difference: challenging the private/public sphere
Sex and Gender: redefining the concepts and their implications

Radical Feminism

"The personal is the political": every relationship or act is based on something political
Politicizing every issue to bring about change
Female oppression originates in the family itself

Socialist Feminism

Views the private sphere as political
Links women's role within the conventional family to the maintenance of the household/capitalist economic system

Patriarchy

Means "rule by the father" and can be applied to:
- Structure of the family: dominance of the husband-father
- Male supremacy or male dominance in social context: education, workplace, and political arenas