Gender Schema Feminist Theory PDF

Gender Schema Theory Group 2  Overview Schema Gender Schema Theory Sandra Bem's Theory Feminist Theory Three Waves Principles and Types of Feminism What is a Schema? an organised cluster of information A cognitive framework which helps us to organise a...

Gender Schema Theory Group 2  Overview Schema Gender Schema Theory Sandra Bem's Theory Feminist Theory Three Waves Principles and Types of Feminism What is a Schema? an organised cluster of information A cognitive framework which helps us to organise and interpret information. They focus on things which helps us to confirm our pre-existing ideas or beliefs and often contribute to stereotypes. A mental blueprint of information. What is Gender Schema? Begin to develop at age 2-3 years old Accumulating knowledge about sexes - through observation In-group schema and out-group schema Developmental change as children's cognitive abilities grow Schemas become more flexible as children grows older  Gender Schema Theory Pre schoolers -Learn through observing others ex. Boys have short hairs and Girls have longer hair -Gender scripts -Develop in-group schemas 4-6 years old -Learn subtle and complex sets of associations for their own gender likes and dislikes what is appropriate behaviour how they talk at 5-6 years old, Gender constancy develops -this rule is absolute Gender Schema Theory 8-10 years old Develop schemas for the opposite gender more complex on out-group schema Late childhood/ Early adolescence Understanding of 'rules' as social conventions Gender role schemas are more flexible Stereotypes/assumptions are abandoned  Sandra Bem's Gender Schema Theory Gender schemas refer to mental structures that organize incoming information according to gender categories and in turn lead people to perceive the world in terms of gender. They also help people to match their behavior with the behavior they believe is appropriate for their own gender.  Sandra Bem's Gender Schema Theory Gender schema theory has also theorized on the way gender roles are socially developed via cultural transmission According to Bem's theory, people fall into one of four different gender categories 1.Sex-typed individuals - identify with their gender and process information through the lens of that gender schema 2. Cross-typed individuals -process information through the lens of the opposite gender.  According to Bem's theory, people fall into one of four different gender categories 3. Androgynous individuals -exhibit both masculine and feminine thinking 4. Undifferentiated individuals - do not show consistent use of sex-typed processing Gender schema theory assumes that, from an early age, children naturally extract information from their social environments, which they then encode and organize into networks of mental associations that allow them to make sense of their world and themselves Feminist Theory Group 2 Definition Feminism or feminist theory is a range of political movements, ideologies, and social movements that share a common goal which is to define and advance political, economic, personal and social nights for women. This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment.  History Charles Fourier a Utopian Socialist and French philosopher, is credited with having coined the word "féminisme" in 1837. Fourier believed that all important jobs should be open to women on the basis of skill and aptitude rather than closed on account of gender. He spoke of women as individuals, not as half the human couple.  History The words "féminisme" and "feminist" first appeared in France and the Netherlands in 1872. Great Britain in the 1890s, and the United States in 1910.  Feminist Movement The history of the modern western feminist movements is divided into three "waves" Each wave dealt with different aspects of the same feminist issues.  First Wave The first wave comprised women's suffrage movements of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, promoting women's right to vote.  Second Wave The second wave was associated with the ideas and actions of the women's liberation movement beginning in the 1960s. The second wave campaigned for legal and social equality for women.  Third Wave The third wave is a continuation of, and a reaction t the perceived failures of second- wave feminism, beginning in the 1990s.  4 Basic Principles in Feminism Working to increase equality Feminist thought links ideas to action, insisting we should push for change toward gender equality and not just talk about it.  4 Basic Principles in Feminism Expanding human choice Feminists believe that both men and women should have the freedom to develop their human interests and talents, even if those interests and talents conflict with the status quo. For example, if a woman wants to be a mechanic, she should have the right and opportunity to do so.  4 Basic Principles in Feminism Eliminating gender stratification Feminists oppose laws and cultural norms that limit income, educational and job opportunities for women.  4 Basic Principles in EndingFeminism sexual violence and promoting sexual freedom Feminists feel that women should have control over their sexuality and reproduction.  Types of Feminism There are three basic form of feminism Liberal Feminism Social Feminism Radical Feminism  Liberal Feminism Liberal feminism is an individualistic form of feminist theory, which focuses on women's ability to maintain their equality through their own actions and choices. Liberal feminists argue that society holds the false belief that women are, by nature, less intellectually and physically capable than men  Socialist Feminism Socialist feminism is a branch of feminism that focuses upon both the public and private spheres of a woman's life and argues that liberation can only be achieved by working to end both the economic and cultural sources of women's oppression.  Socialist Feminism Socialist feminism is a two-pronged theory that broadens Marxist feminism's argument for the role of capitalism in the oppression of women and radical feminism's theory of the role of gender and the patriarchy.  Radical Feminism Radical feminism is a perspective within feminism that calls for a radical reordering of society in which male supremacy is eliminated in all social and economic contexts.  Radical Feminism Radical feminists seek to abolish patriarchy by challenging existing social norms and institutions, rather than through a purely political process. This includes challenging the notion of traditional gender roles, opposing the sexual objectification of women, and raising public awareness about such issues as rape and violence against women Thank You