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Strengths and limitations of feminist theory
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Feminist Theory Introduction Feminist Theory is an aspect of considering feminism as having been based on socio-phenomenon issues rather than biological or scientific. It appreciates gender inequality, analyzes the societal roles played by feminists in a bid to promote the interests, issues and rights of women in the society. It is also based on the assumption that women play subsidiary roles in the society. The whole idea of feminism has however experienced hurdles in the form of stereotyping by the wider society. This paper tries to examine some of the effects of stereotypes that feminism goes through, what other philosophers say and the way forward towards ending stereotyping. To begin with, according to many philosophers, it would be wise to argue that stereotyping on feminism especially by men is not based on their biological make up but rather on their culture. Culture has imparted in men some unique beliefs in specific thoughts, feeling and behavior towards women as whole and feminists in particular. This notion has however been criticized by angry women philosophers like Jean Grimshaw who argue that just being borne a man is not a sufficient enough reason to criticize women feminists. Other feminists who have criticized this stereotyping by men in the form of philosophical connotations argue that philosophy in itself has got a lot of flaws. According to Deleuze and Guattari (1994), philosophy is not reflective and neither communicates nor contemplates. This could be in response to those philosophers who tend to dwell on unrelated topics and ignore a whole subject on women empowerment. A case in point is the approach by “The Man of Reason” concept which asserts that the relationship between man and woman is distinct. ... ... middle of paper ... ...leage by appearing to be extreme radicals and derogatory to men at the expense of the plight and welfare of women. (Conaway, 2005) Works Cited Conaway, C. (2005). A Psychological Effect of Steriotypes. Retrieved March 05, 2012, from Countering Steriotypes by Changing Rules: http://www.bos.frb.org/economic/nerr/rr2005/q1/section3c.pdf Deleuze, G., & Guattari, F. (1994). What is philosophy? New York: Verso. Gentile, L. (2008). The Relationship between gender identity and the effects of stereotype threat on woman's math performance. Retrieved March 05, 2012, from Counselling Psychology Dissertations: http://iris.lib.neu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=couns_psych_diss&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.ke%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Deffets%2Bof%2B%2Bstereotypes%2Bon%2Brelationships%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D7%26ved%3D0CFUQFjAG%
In the past there were many biases against women and their lack of abilities compared to men. Although the male perspective has changed over the past few centuries, there are many feminists who still fight for ...
When stereotypes about women are thrown down on paper many women (usually called feminist) take offense to them. They don't believe women are the weaker sex, or think the man is the worker of the household. They don't believe a male should put women on a pedestal, they just want to be equal. They starve for equality and criticize those with different perspectives on how it should be
‘Women and men are different. Equal treatment of men and women does not result in equal outcomes.’ (Corsten Report, 16: 2007) According to Covington and Bloom (2003) numerous feminist writers have demonstrated and documented the patriarchal nature of our society and the variety of ways in which the patriarchal values serve masculine needs. ‘Despite claims to the contrary, masculinist epistemologies are built upon values that promote masculine needs and desires, making all others invisible’ (Kaschak, 11: 1992).
We [women] are, as a sex, infinitely superior to men." Elizabeth Stanton (prominent woman suffragist) - (excerpted from One Woman, One Vote by Wheeler, pg. 58) "Frailty, thy name is woman." William Shakespeare - (excerpted from Hamlet, Act I, scene 2) This quote made by Stanton in 1890 shows many of the feministic beliefs held by the women of today. And the quote made by Shakespeare holds many of the same thoughts shared by men. The battle of the sexes is prevalent everywhere and is applicable to anything.
This essay will explore the negative stereotypes which feminists encounter and how misogyny, racism and sexism are present within these stereotypes. Firstly, in order to explore the idea of negative stereotypes against the feminist/feminism movement it is important we have the same definition of feminism. According to Tarrant (2013) “Feminism is a social movement that seeks equality of opportunity for all people, regardless of gender” (Pg 58). There are two negative stereotypes which will be focused on within this essay, firstly the idea that feminists hate men and secondly all feminists believe in the same thing. There are various other stereotypes associated with feminists/feminism according to “All Diva Media” they lay out ten different stereotypes however, this essay will only focus on the two mentioned.
The most related terms when women’s right is brought up are feminism and feminist. A feminist, by definition, is someone the fights for feminism. The definition of feminism, one the other hand, is very complex. Throughout history, the word has continuously had bad images and connotations thrown its wa...
Moving toward critical analysis on the basis of gender and power relations signaled a shift of focus from the methodological to the epistemological concerns for the feminists. The questions raised were about the source of the behavior and experiences. Even within this view of gendered relation two different types permeated the feminist community – those that subscribed to an essentialist view held that women’s development is uniquely different from that of men and they are much better than men; those that adhered to the social constructionist view took the position that true natures of men and women are unknowable, i.e. the characteristics attributed to males and females are not intrinsic but socially and situationally created. Gilligan (1982)
Feminism is a perspective that views gender as one of the most important bases of the structure and organization of the social world. Feminists argue that in most known societies this structure has granted women lower status and value, more limited access to valuable resources, and less autonomy and opportunity to make choices over their lives than it has granted men. (Sapiro 441)
The changes that occurred in gender relations at the turn of the twentieth century were a factor in the emergence of modernism. The first wave of the Feminist Movement began during this period with the New Woman as its protagonist. The New Woman was a figure that was independent, relatively sexually liberated and educated. Many women no longer lived their lives according to the Victorian ideal required for them and it became more acceptable for women to be seen unaccompanied outdoors and working in certain types of employment. The new woman was perceived as being a treat to men and after the First World War the independence that women enjoyed received a repercussion as women were once again put inside the home and were and were marginalised in the streets. In Jean Rhys Good Morning Midnight and Stella Gibbons Cold Comfort Farm are examples of women new women who were marginalised as well as women, who although lived in the modern embraced both new and old gendered traditions.
Arianna Stassinopoulos wrote in the 1973 book The Female Woman: "It would be futile to attempt to fit women into a masculine pattern of attitudes, skills and abilities and disastrous to force them to suppress their specifically female characteristics and abilities by keeping up the pretense that there are no differences between the sexes" (Microsoft Bookshelf). In her statement we see a cultural feminist response to the dominant liberal feminism of the 1970s.
In the ideals of second wave feminism authors, Gloria Anzaldúa, Angela Davis, June Jordan, Audre Lorde, and Bonnie Morris, redefined the purpose of feminism by advocating for the inextricable nature of gender, sexuality, and sexual identity. Another author that would coincide with this group would be Alice Walker. Walker like many of these authors emphasized the importance of including the whole being of an individual rather than allowing gender to be the sole factor in defining feminism. Alice Walker has exhibited her passion for the new elements of feminism through her life, works of literature, and through the history that she has created with her popular works in literature.
Feminist theory is the extension of feminism into theoretical, fictional or philosophical dissertation. It helps to explain the main nature of gender inequality. It further explains the social roles of women in the society such as education, communication, philosophy, sociology and so on (Chodrow, Nancy 1991).
Women for many years have been denied the right to express themselves. If a female spoke against something she was considered strange and out of line. Hall says, “Feminist methodologies are the belief that patriarchal oppression of women. has been profound and multifaceted” (Hall 202).... ...
Michael Levin, a professor of philosophy and author of the book Feminism and Freedom, faults feminism for trying to impose an inappropriate equality on men and women that conflicts basic biological differences between the sexes (Levin, Taking Sides, 42). Women are not the same as men, neither physically nor psychologically. In the past, men tended to be the stronger more powerful gender, while women have traditionally been viewed as the weaker, more feeble one. The untrue assumption that men and women are the same in their ways of thinking and physical capabilities leads to the failure of the feminist message. Their agenda of eliminating all observable differences between men and women is doomed to fail and will inflict more pain than gain in the process. Recognizing the differences between the sexes and allowing each to do what they are strongest at will in the long run make society stronger, more efficient, and more effective.
The subject of gender and gender roles didn’t become a widely discussed issue until the 1970s with the undertaking of the feminist movement. Gender is most commonly used inreference to specific behavioural characteristics that differentiate between masculinity and femininity. These behaviours that we use to categorize what is masculine and what is feminine are often referred to as gender roles. Gender roles most often define what a particular society or culture agrees is normal or acceptable behaviour for men and women. Gender roles refer to anything from emotional, physical or psychological expectations. Traditional gender roles expect that women are more emotional, physically weaker and less intelligent whereas traditional male gender roles believe that men are more stoic, physically strong and intelligent. The feminist movement largely saw gender roles as an oppression of their rights and freedoms, gender roles used primarily painting them into a corner, or the kitchen. Much of the feminist movement has been an attempt to break down gender roles for women, not allowing society to depict for them which jobs, activities and clothing areacceptable for them. The term