Feminism Definition -Equality for all women politically, economically and socially regardless of their age, class, sexual orientation or other characteristics -Recognition and critique of male supremacy combined with efforts to change it

Goals of feminism 1.To demonstrate the importance of feminism 2.To reveal that historically women have been subordinates to men 3.To bring about gender equity -In short – Feminists fight for the equality of women and argue that women should share equally in society’s opportunities and resources.

History of feminist movement -Origins found in the abolitionist movement of 1830’s -First women’s right convention at Seneca Falls, New York Seneca Falls birthplace of American feminism. Led by Elizabeth Cady and Lucretia Mott with 300 followers. Focused on the social, civil and religious conditions of women.

-Made a declaration known as Declaration of Sentiments modelled after the Declaration of Independence. Contents include: -All men and women created equal -Touched on the supremacy of man in regards to divorce and education -Battled for the rights of women to vote

In Germany the feminists fighting for the rights of women to engage in sexual relations regardless of marital and legal consideration. Max Weber’s wife, Marianne, a feminist, argued that women should be treated equally in the social institution of marriage along with all the other social institutions. 1869, John Stuart Mill published The subjection of Women to content that legal subordination of one sex on the other is wrong and is an obstacle to human improvement.

In Britain, Emmeline Pankhurst one of the founders of the suffragette movement (a woman campaigning for the right of women to vote in elections), formed the Women’s Social and Political Union. Members repeatedly jailed. Went on hunger strikes. Drew attention to the brutality of the legal system.

Early works written on feminism -Declamation on the Nobility and Preeminence of the female Sex written by the occult philosopher Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa in A Vindication of the rights of Woman written by Mary Wollstonecraft before 19 th century. -The Subjection of Women written by John Stuart Mills -Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies written by Margaret Mead in 1939

Major Frameworks in Feminist Theory 4 major frameworks (set of ideas) developed Liberal Feminism - All people are created equal and should not be denied equality of opportunity because of gender. -Focus their efforts on social change through the construction of legislation and regulation of employment practices

-Inequality in society because of denial of equal rights. Sexism considered primary obstacle to equality. -Started with British Liberals in 19 th century. -Equal opportunities should be the basis for social justice and social reform which later became the framework to support many of the legal changes required to bring about greater equality of women in U.S -Liberal Feminists advocated removal of barriers

to women’s advancement and wanted policies that would lead to equal rights of women. -Major advocates of this perspective: John Stuart Mills, Harriet Taylor's Mills Radical Feminism -Patriarchy ( a social system in which men are regarded as the authority within the family and society and in which power and possessions are passed on from father to son) primary cause of women’s oppression

-Sexism the ultimate tool used by men to keep women oppressed. -Women said to be the first oppressed and it is widespread. -It causes the most sufferings -Refusing to reproduce said to be the most effective way to free oneself from oppression

-Women should be able to speak out against all social structures created by men and try to free themselves through legislative action and political participation. Socialist Feminism -Women's oppression as a result of their work in the family and the economy -Women’s inferior position result of class-based capitalism. Used as cheap labour.

-Capitalism works hand-in-hand with patriarchy to make women less powerful as women and as labourers (Socialist Feminist Heidi Hartman) -Equality for women will be achieved when the economic and political system changes. -There is an increased emphasis on the private sphere and the role of women in the household. Equal opportunities for women should be given in the public sphere.

Multiracial Feminism -Recently developed. Evolved from those who felt that earlier feminist excluded colored women from their analysis. Black Feminist Theory developed as a framework for critical thinking about the lives of African women. -3 key themes in black feminism namely 1.Self definition and self valuation (challenging the political knowledge validation process bringing stereotypical images of Afro- American womanhood black women self definitions

2. Interlocking nature of oppression (gender, race and class are interconnected. Racism, sexism, poverty are inevitable. Awareness would help black women to fight against oppression and discrimination). 3. Importance of African-American women’s culture (uncovered black women’s experience and identified social relations where Afro-American women pass on essentials to coping with oppressions.

Perspective on Feminist movement -Dissidents such as Christina Hoff Summers and Camille Puglia accuse feminist movement as anti-male prejudices. Use of the term" feminist” questioned. Should it be used to refer to any who espouse violence to any gender or those who fail to recognize a fundamental equality between the sexes.

Views that separating the sexes rather than uniting them considered by some feminists to be sexist rather than feminist. -Also questions regarding the differences between the sexes which cannot be ignored. -Some believe no essential differences between the sexes exist and roles observed in society are due to conditioning. -Modern scientists disagree on whether inborn differences exist between men and women other than physical differences such as anatomy, chromosomes

and hormones. Regardless of how many differences between the sexes are inherent or acquired, but these differences is no basis for discrimination according to some feminists. -Extreme or radical feminists (Mary Daly) feel that the world would be better off with fewer men. Critics of feminism -Disagree with the use of the term feminism which preach hate against men. Prefer a non gender-biased term such as gender equalitarianism which would lead to the belief in basic equal rights and opportunities for both sexes.

-To some, feminism is making men becoming oppressed. More males die of suicide than females in USA. 1990s, 72% of all suicides white males, half being adult males. Some critics even conclude in USA white males are severely oppressed. -Many object to feminist movements criticizing them as trying to destroy traditional roles. There are many natural differences between men and women and everyone would benefit if these are observed.

-Some critics claim that social change and legal reforms in favour of women have negative effect on men and children. Custody hearings in favour of women. -The Paleo-Conservatives group including George Gilder and Pat Buchanan argued that feminism has produced an unworkable, self- destructive and stagnant society. -Post colonial feminists oppose radical feminism and its basic assumption i.e universalization of female experience. This is based on white

middle class experience where gender oppression is primary and cannot apply to women for whom gender oppression may come second to racial or class oppression