...socialist feminism; rape; masculinities; violence; sexual harassment; biology is not destiny; and negative feminist stereotypes. I have chosen to discuss the two feminist theories that were previously mentioned due to the fact that they both focus heavily on the oppression of men in society, as well as the evident gender division between the sexes. I have chosen to focus on the six concepts that were previously mentioned because they focus on how women are oppressed, and mistreated in society. Radical Feminism Radical feminism supports the idea that patriarchy is the main form of oppression women face. The goal of radical feminism is the elimination of patriarchy. From a radical feminist perspective, women are oppressed in three main ways or areas: the state, the nuclear family, and through reproduction and mothering. Radical feminism also suggests that the lack of control women have over their own bodies and own reproduction is central to oppression. Radical feminists aim towards eliminating sexual, as well as physical violence against women (Calixte et al., 2009). The significance of radical feminism is that it focuses on what is seen as the major oppressors in our culture. Moreover, radical feminism opens our eyes to male dominance and how it has been highly normalized. It alerts us to how ‘normal’ or common images from pornography reduce women to sexual objects. Moreover, it makes clear that prostitution is a form of economic and sexual exploitation women. Instead of relying...
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...A)Violence against Women -Wrestling with manhood -Violence is connected to manhood (real men invite confrontation, trash talk) -Fear and respect go hand in hand -Bark like a dog (subordination of women is part of the “man” package) -Comparison to women as a challenging idea (you are a “bitch”) -Chyna becomes so strong, she is stripped of femininity (later rejects public image) -violence as “deserved,” even really crazy awful sexual violence (“bark like a dog”) -“...it's only entertainment.” -Sex Trafficking (Trade) B)Gender, Beauty, Normalization -Wolf, beauty as a prerequisite for success for women -“girls learn that stories happen to 'beautiful' woman but don't happen to women who aren't beautiful” -beauty as a market and product -the female body as a constant -Kaw, Asian Americans (3% of pop., 6% of cosmetic surgeries), most likely ethnicity to get c. surgery -encouragement of self hatred -pressuring women to conform to standards of normality -media representation of Asians as “sleepy, dull, uninterested” -origins in facial reconstruction at WWI -now used to “fix” completely natural features -Valenti, beauty as a “shut the fuck up” tool -beauty is a distraction -women are too ugly or too pretty to be consequential/deserve public attention -Bordo, Slender Body -double bind: producer v. consumer -moral coding: fat is seen as lazy, thin as control -cultural...
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...years in the view to changing the lives of women. When people in society think of a ‘feminist’ they think of angry, men hating women that think that any inequality towards women is disgraceful. Some movements have been very public and a lot of action taken, and others are more discreet but just as powerful. The most remember able feminist movement is the suffragettes, that took up arms just after the second world war. This movement is stuck in history due to the amount of women that gave their lives for the cause. They were called the suffragettes. Although this movement wasn’t the first feminism movement, the ‘first wave’ of feminism started around the nineteenth too twenty centuries and it has carried on in different movements until today. One of the feminist movements is the radical way of thinking, this is the view that men just see women in a sex related way and that a woman’s body is controlled and enjoyed by the man. This movement tries to show the side where men objective a woman and Dworkin said that this way of thinking is visible in many day to day things. Such as marriage, health care, economy and also prostitution, pornography and law. Radical feminists are also extremely against prostitution, as they see it as a way for men to treat women as commodities that are able to be used and sold, for the pleasure of men. Radical feminist also wants to empower women to look past the beauty industry, that causes young girls and women to take an unhealthy interest in their...
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...Foundation Course 1 Human Rights, Gender & Environment Understanding Patriarchy Suranjita Ray• Subordination of women to men is prevalent in large parts of the world. We come across experiences where women are not only treated as subordinate to men but are also subject to discriminations, humiliations, exploitations, oppressions, control and violence. Women experience discrimination and unequal treatment in terms of basic right to food, health care, education, employment, control over productive resources, decision-making and livelihood not because of their biological differences or sex, which is natural but because of their gender differences which is a social construct. “Sex is considered a fact - one is born with either male or female genitalia. Gender is considered a social construction - it grants meaning to the fact of sex. Conversely, it could be said that only after specific meanings came to be attached to the sexes, did sex differences become pertinent” (Geetha, 2002: 10). Gender based discriminations and exploitations are widespread and the socio-culturally defined characteristics, aptitudes, abilities, desires, personality traits, roles, responsibilities and behavioral patterns of men and women contribute to the inequalities and hierarchies in society. Gender differences are man made and they get legitimised in a patriarchal society. This paper attempts to link the theoretical dimensions of patriarchy with its empirical experiences to engage in the ongoing...
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...Workplace 2.8 Research Question Chapter Two Literature review The literature relevant to research into fatherhood is diverse and describes some dynamically interactive elements constitutive of the social construction of fatherhood. This chapter provides a summary of those topics considered to be most relevant to the research problem. It begins with a discussion of the significance of the father to the development of children followed by a brief description of the changing role of fatherhood. This is followed by an analysis of gendered parenting roles and the contradictions that exist for men between dominant patriarchal views of fatherhood and those fathering behaviours that are resistant to dominant beliefs. A comparative analysis is provided through the examination of cross-cultural experiences followed by a discussion on oppression and resistance and the relevance of this to working-class men. Finally there is a review of the current literature on the development of Family Friendly Workplace Policy 2.1 Fathers – And a Secure Base Move 1. The importance of attachment to the child leading to the importance of attachment to the father; its impact on the child Theories about the significance of attachment for the mental health of humankind raise the issue of the significance of fathers as care givers and providers of secure attachment to...
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...some feminist circles to argue that the struggle for freedom from male oppression is, in part, a struggle for freedom from rationality and intellectuality. Julia Kristeva, for example, attacks women writers who value "science, philosophy, [and] professorships," calling them valorizers of "phallic dominance" (1974, in Marks and de Courtivron, 1980,166). For Kristeva, a truly revolutionary woman who wishes to succeed in exploding existing social codes must flee everything phallic, and this means that she must reject everything that is "finite, definite, structured, loaded with meaning." In the same vein, Helene Cixous, in her influential essay, "The Laugh of the Medussa" (Cixous, 1976, in Marks and de Courtivron, 1980,245-264), challenges women to forge for themselves, through writing, the "antilogos weapon." This weapon, supposedly the product of writing that "inscribes femininity," will be used to liberate women from the "phallocentric tradition," that is, the tradition of "male writing," which is the "effect" and "support" of the "history of reason." Views such as these are very much alive today. That there is at present tremendous interest in Cixous' writings, for example, is made evident by the listing of no fewer than 160 citations of them in the Arts and Humanities Citation Index for the years 1990-2. To what extent do these views deserve our support? It cannot be denied that some women are still oppressed today, treated unjustly and denied their rights, if...
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...Feminism is the equality of Men and Women within society and culture, but how does it fit in our current culture values within this day and age? With statements and an analysis from Mies, Gauntlett and MacInnes, the base of feminism is elaborated from ethics, actions taken and the touch on masculinity and its background towards Feminism. As more shall be elaborated in discussion, the first key pointer being what is Feminism, this has always been a sensitive topic to touch, and more women are growing with the image behind, but are women losing the true sense of being liberated? Or are they the main cause of their chains being re-shackled? In achievement of this research the outcome will be how Mass Media has contributed highly in this regard, there has been a huge influence of how a “real woman” is supposed to be like, the way she is supposed to dress, cook, be in a position of corporate power, and still stand behind the pots and hold the vacuum arch. This will be emphasized into more detail on how Susan Faludi embraces the Backlash of Feminism, and how Gauntlett’s view on Mass Media has a huge impact on the Women’s Society as whole, especially making pointers on equality and inequality. Mass media has embarked a large influence in continuing the subordination in the consumer society, not only it the media itself to be blame but women themselves. According to Mies, “The woman question invariably leads to high emotional reactions from men and from women” (Mies 1998:6), in support to...
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...50 Key Concepts in Gender Studies Jane Pilcher & Imelda Whelehan Fifty Key Concepts in Gender Studies i Recent volumes include: Key Concepts in Social Research Geoff Payne and Judy Payne Key Concepts in Medical Sociology Jonathan Gabe, Mike Bury and Mary Ann Elston Forthcoming titles include: Key Concepts in Leisure Studies David Harris Key Concepts in Critical Social Theory Nick Crossley Key Concepts in Urban Studies Mark Gottdiener The SAGE Key Concepts series provide students with accessible and authoritative knowledge of the essential topics in a variety of disciplines. Cross-referenced throughout, the format encourages critical evaluation through understanding. Written by experienced and respected academics, the books are indispensable study aids and guides to comprehension. JANE PILCHER AND IMELDA WHELEHAN Fifty Key Concepts in Gender Studies SAGE Publications London • Thousand Oaks • New Delhi iii © Jane Pilcher and Imelda Whelehan 2004 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission in writing from the Publishers. SAGE Publications Ltd 1 Oliver’s Yard 55 City Road London EC1Y 1SP SAGE Publications Inc 2455 Teller Road Thousand Oaks, California 91320 SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd B-42 Panchsheel Enclave Post Box 4109 New Delhi 100 017 British Library...
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...society's norms and values. * Meeting Member's Economic Needs - providing food, shelter, etc. Criticisms of Murdock * Marxists - reject consensus view; argue that Murdock neglects dark side of family. Claim meets needs of capitalists, not family. * Feminists - reject consensus, 'rose-tinted' view, argue that Murdock ignores women's oppression and inequality. See family as serving needs of men and exploiting women. The Family - Parsons Parsons Functionalist; family has 2 'basic and irreducible' functions: * Primary Socialisation of Children - happens in early stages of child's life; child learns norms, values, etc of culture they are born into. * Stabilisation of Adult Personalities - family provides place for adults to relax, escape stresses of working life and feel emotionally secure. Criticisms of Parsons * Too deterministic - children are moulded by all-powerful adults. Also ignores possibility of socialisation being 2-way process where by socialisation can be resisted by children. * Zaretsky - family only provides such emotional support so members can spend another day under harsh capitalist oppression. Family is servant to capitalist state - looks after exploited workers for free. The Family - Parsons (cont.) Parsons Functionalist; dominant family structure is the one that best suits needs of economy at time: * Functional Fit - nuclear family 'fits' industrial society, as geographically mobile and not reliant on wider kin. Therefore...
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...Violence from a gender view what role does masculinity play in Ethiopia context. Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Main concepts in feminist approach 3. Hegemonic masculinity theory 4. The subculture of violence in peace and conflict 5. The perception on gender versus sex in Ethiopia 6. Gendered dynamics of violence 6.1 Masculinities and violence 6.2 Femininities and violence 7. Conclusion 8. References 1. Introduction The paper critically evaluate the theory which claims that violence has a strong gender dimension and what role does masculinity play in violence. There are feminist theories and assumptions regarding the societal construction of gender, as it is divided into two major categories...
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...Simone de Beauvoir: Feminism and Existentialism Simone de Beauvoir talks about women through the eyes of an existentialist in her book The Second Sex. Specifically, de Beauvoir’s views on how woman is “man’s dependent” shows the Subject and the Other relationship, a solution she gives to abolishing the oppression of women is that we need to abandon the idea that women are born feminine, second, weaker and not made, and the responsibility that she puts on herself and women for accepting the roles given to them are all very existentialist ideas. Subjectivity as de Beauvoir uses it is created out of defining, or created roles for the people around you; it is a self given power. A man must be the ego, the subject, in order to do this and a woman must be the Other in order to accept this. While talking about existentialism in class we learned that people interact with each other by constantly switching from the subject to the object; I am at a stop light in my car looking at the people next to me, I am the subject until they look back at me, into my world, making judgments and what have you, and then I am the object, I am second, or the Other. I think the difference between how de Beauvoir uses it, is that women do not change from being the Other, or the second sex. In class we discussed that women who attempt to abandon their gender roles by becoming more like men, are simply mimicking them (in the workforce for example). But the act of trying to be something you are not promotes...
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...Gender is defined by FAO as ‘the relations between men and women, both perceptual and material. Gender is not determined biologically, as a result of sexual characteristics of either women or men, but is constructed socially. It is a central organizing principle of societies, and often governs the processes of production and reproduction, consumption and distribution’ (FAO, 1997). Development is a process of structural societal change. Thomas (2000, 2004) refers to this meaning of development as a process of historical change. The essay shall look at Women in Development, Women And Development and Gender And Development and give their contributions to development as well as their strengths and limitations. The term "women in development" came into use in the early 1970s, after the publication of Ester Boserup's Women's Role in Economic Development (1970). Boserup was the first to systematically delineate on a global level the sexual division of labour that existed in agrarian economies. The Women in Development concept is based on a recognition of the importance of the roles and status of women in development process. It is meant to give special attention to the women's role, while extending development assistance. For the effective and efficient implementation of assistance, it is essential to ensure that the women should have the opportunities to participate positively as important players in development process. Such enlargement of opportunities will also pave the way for...
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...of society or oppression of women is exaggerated or intensified to highlight the need for change in contemporary society. The Handmaid’s Tale presents the future as this in many ways. Chapter 2 of The Handmaid’s Tale presents the future as a feminine dystopia. Religion is brought up as Gilead is seen to be trying to purify the values of women, for example Offred is only allowed a single bed, the words “nothing takes place in the bed but sleep; or no sleep” highlight the fact that a bed is only for sleeping, to purify her. The reference to nunneries also suggests there is religion involved in Gilead, Offred states that “time here is measured by bells, as once in nunneries. As in nunneries too, there are few mirrors” this suggests sexual contact for the Handmaids, or anyone, is forbidden, and the use of the word “once” suggests that Offred is like a nun, or feels like a nun, out of a nunnery and in a house. Also in chapter 2, the role of the Handmaids is introduced; we learn they are needed for something very important, as they are not allowed to attempt to kill themselves as it is said that “they’ve removed anything you could tie a rope to.” Also Offred says “I am not being wasted.” This shows that the Handmaids are not allowed to be wasted as they have a purpose. The Handmaids are supposed to play very traditional female roles and are to have traditional female values. Altogether, chapter 2 presents the future as a feminine dystopia because it is shown that women have almost been...
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...of violence, focusing especially on violence against women. Browning’s use of violence in his poetry is symbolic of the oppression of women during this time period by their husbands and society. This oppression is seen through the examination of two of Browning’s most well-known poems, “My Last Duchess” and “Porphyria’s Lover”. Browning’s “My Last Duchess” is a poem written in dramatic monologue in which a Duke in Renaissance Italy shows the servant of his future wife a painting of his former wife, and recounts the circumstances which lead to her death. Duke...
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...“identities and practices that foreground the instability inherent in the supposedly stable relationship between anatomical sex, gender, and sexual desire” (2003: 1). In other words, Queer Theory attempts to illustrate that these things do not always align in predetermined and/or normative ways, and it is perhaps misguided to assume that they should. Corber and Valocchi refer to this notion in their suggestion that Queer Theory focuses on forms of sexuality which fall ‘outside’ of the typical binaries (2003:1). Queer writer Annemarie Jagose states the Queer Theory works to destabilise the belief in ‘natural’ sexuality by exposing the incoherencies that occur within the varying relationships of sex, gender, and sexuality (1996: 3). By having an analytical framework which includes numerous modes of sex/gender/sexuality combinations, such as cross-dressing, sadomasochism, and androgyny, Queer Theory acts in critical relation to the hegemonic social norms through which traditional sexual identities are governed and accepted (Weed and Schor, 1997: vii). Theorist David Halperin (1997) suggests that numerous varying degrees of difference and interpretation exist within any given from of sexuality - for example, there exist both feminine male homosexuals and masculine male homosexuals, and so on. Related to this is one Queer Theory’s central claims, which wishes to state that femininity/masculinity have no necessarily explicit link to biologically sexed females/males. Corber and Valocchi...
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