Feminism

Feminism is theory that men and women

should be equal politically, economically and
socially.
This is the core of all feminism theories.
Sometimes this definition is also referred to as
"core feminism" or "core feminist theory."
Notice that this theory does not subscribe to
differences between men and women or
similarities between men and women, nor does
it refer to excluding men or only furthering
women's causes.

Basic Feminist Ideas

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.
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.

Eliminating gender stratification:

Feminists oppose laws and cultural
norms that limit income, educational
and job opportunities for women.

Ending sexual violence and

promoting sexual freedom:
Feminists feel that women should
have control over their sexuality and
reproduction.

Types of
Feminism

Cultural Feminism
The theory that there are fundamental
personality differences between men and
women, and that women's differences are
special and should be celebrated.
This theory of feminism supports the notion
that there are biological differences
between men and women.
For example, "women are kinder and more
gentle then men, leading to the mentality
that if women ruled the world there would
be no wars.

Individualist, or Libertarian
Feminism
Individualist feminism is based upon
individualism or libertarian (minimum
government or anarchocapitalist)
philosophies. The primary focus is
individual autonomy, rights, liberty,
independence and diversity.
Individualist Feminism tends to
widely encompass men and focuses
on barriers that both men and
women face due to their gender

Radical Feminism
Radical feminism questions why women
must adopt certain roles based on their
biology, just as it questions why men
adopt certain other roles based on gender.
Radical feminism attempts to draw lines
between biologically-determined behavior
and culturally-determined behavior in
order to free both men and women as
much as possible from their previous
narrow gender roles.

Postmodern Feminism
The basic idea is that looking to the
past is no longer the way to go. We
are a global economic world
highlighted by technology. Looking to
the past no longer applies.

Theorists

Dorothy E. Smith
Concept of bifurcation
conceptual distinction between the world as we
experience it and the world as we know it through
he conceptual frameworks that science invents

Believes mainstream sociology has not

touched on womens experiences
Found a lack of interest in issues concerning
girls and women in schooling
Universities and colleges have incorporated
successful programs, but public schools have
not
Would like to see a change to allow girls a
larger say in school dynamics

Sandra Harding

Professor of womens studies at UCLA

Directs Center for the Study of Women
Author or editor of ten books
Given over 200 lectures at universities
and conferences
Written in such areas as feminist theory,
sociology of knowledge, and
methodological issues related to
objectivity and neutrality
Criticizes all sociological theories
claiming they are all gender-biased

 Criticizes feminist theory as well

Western, bourgeois, heterosexual, white
women

Does not believe in a universal theory

Theory is possible so long as normal
science is not used
Promotes good science instead of that
produced by a masculine bias science
as usual

Social theory must be created by

women and include issues central to
women

Patricia Hill Collins

BA from Brandeis, MA from Harvard, and PhD from
Brandeis
Associate professor of sociology and African American
studies at University of Cincinnati
Outsider within one is part of a group but feels distant
from that group
Focus of sociological theory should be the outsider
groups
Especially those that lack a voice

Promotes using subjective analysis of the concrete

experiences
Agrees with Harding on white/male interest
Believes emotional concepts are important
Individuals have their own reality constructs that are
linked to the groups to which they belong

Carol Gilligan
Psychologist and feminist thinker
Influenced by Sigmund Freud, Jean
Piaget, and Lawrence Kohlberg
AB in English Lit from Swarthmore
College
AM in Clinical Psych from Radcliffe
College
PhD from Harvard University
Taught at University of Chicago, and
Harvard University

 Men and women do have differences

in moral reasoning
Justice v. Care orientation
Justice attention to problems of
inequality and holds equal respect
Care attention to problems of
detachment and holds response to need
Moral injustices do not treat others
unfairly or turn on those in need

Joan Jacob Brumberg

Brumberg was born and raised in Ithaca,
New York, where she continued to live and
work as a professor at Cornell University.
Brumberg teaches in the areas of history,
human development, and womens studies.
Brumberg decided to trace female plight of
self consciousness in American and
European societies, where women have
experienced a great deal of concern about
their body image and physical changes
that occur during the natural development.