This document provides an overview of key topics in gender studies, including definitions of sex, gender, and sexual orientation. It discusses both biological and social constructionist perspectives on gender, as well as different feminist theories regarding gender inequality, including liberal, socialist/Marxist, and radical feminism. The core ideas of these feminist theories are outlined, such as their views on patriarchy, capitalism, and the role of the family in perpetuating women's subordination.
Feminism , a belief the political economic and cultural of women .7. Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights for women. This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment. The history of the modern western feminist movements is divided into three "waves". Each Feminism is a perspective that is described as dealing with different aspects of explores the connectedness of the same feminist issues. The first wave refers concepts that other theorists simply do not discuss or even the movement of the 19th through early 20th contemplate. Centuries, which dealt mainly with suffrage, working conditions and educational rights for women and girls? The second wave (1960s-1980s) dealt with the inequality of laws, as well as cultural inequalities and the role of women in society. The third wave of feminism (late 1980s-early 2000s (decade)), is seen as both continuation of the second wave and a response to the perceived failures.
Presented by Markus Ihalainen, from the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in Nairobi, Kenya, on August 29, 2017.
Before talking about feminism, we must talk about the word patriarchy which refers to any form of social power given disproportionately to men. The word patriarchy literally means the rule of the Male or Father.
Feminism , a belief the political economic and cultural of women .7. Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights for women. This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment. The history of the modern western feminist movements is divided into three "waves". Each Feminism is a perspective that is described as dealing with different aspects of explores the connectedness of the same feminist issues. The first wave refers concepts that other theorists simply do not discuss or even the movement of the 19th through early 20th contemplate. Centuries, which dealt mainly with suffrage, working conditions and educational rights for women and girls? The second wave (1960s-1980s) dealt with the inequality of laws, as well as cultural inequalities and the role of women in society. The third wave of feminism (late 1980s-early 2000s (decade)), is seen as both continuation of the second wave and a response to the perceived failures.
Presented by Markus Ihalainen, from the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in Nairobi, Kenya, on August 29, 2017.
Before talking about feminism, we must talk about the word patriarchy which refers to any form of social power given disproportionately to men. The word patriarchy literally means the rule of the Male or Father.
ReadySetPresent (Gender Differences PowerPoint Presentation Content): 100+ PowerPoint presentation content slides. Misinterpreting gender differences can be potentially disastrous. However, understanding them, can lead to a harmonious environment both at work and at home. Gender Differences PowerPoint Presentation Content slides include topics such as: highlighting Gender and Communication Differences, how to avoid pitfalls, 6 common areas of miscommunication between genders, 6 slides on negotiation and gender, 10 slides on biological brain and health differences, 25+ slides on strengths of genders with facts and trivia, 15+ slides on managing and accommodating different genders and moving past stereotypes, 4 slides on the Parson’s model, 9 slides on women working with men, 8 slides on men working with women, and 6 slides on females in business, 10 slides on common misunderstandings and communication between spouses, interesting gender statistics and more!
Gender refers to the roles and responsibilities of men and women that are created in our families, our societies and our cultures. The concept of gender also includes the expectations held about the characteristics, aptitudes and likely behaviours of both women and men (femininity and masculinity). Gender roles and expectations are learned. They can change over time and they vary within and between cultures. Systems of social differentiation such as political status, class, ethnicity, physical and mental disability, age and more, modify gender roles. The concept of gender is vital because, applied to social analysis, it reveals how women’s subordination (or men’s domination) is socially constructed. As such, the subordination can be changed or ended. It is not biologically predetermined nor is it fixed forever.
1. Develop basic understanding and familiarity with key concepts- gender, gender bias, gender stereotype, empowerment, gender parity, equity, and equality, patriarchy and feminism;
2. Understand the gradual paradigm shift from women’ studies to gender studies and some important landmarks in connection with gender and education in the historical and contemporary period;
3. Learn about gender issues in school, curriculum, textual materials across disciplines, pedagogical processes and its intersection with class, caste, religion and region; and
4. Understand how gender, power and sexuality relate to education (in terms of access, curriculum and pedagogy).
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Liberal Feminism vs. Radical Feminism Essay
Liberal Feminism and Radical Feminism
Gender and Development
Research from around the world has shown that gender inequalities tends to slow down economic growth and make the rise from poverty more difficult.
Social construction of race and gender, patriarchy and prejudice and discrimi...Service_supportAssignment
Social construct may be defined as the social mechanism or a category which has been created by the society. It may either be a perception which is created by an individual, a group or an idea which is constructed because of a culture. The present society has created a large number of constructs which are not good. In this research paper, the discussion will be done on the social construction of race and gender and the problems associated with the same. In addition to this, how can social construct forms to be the basis for discrimination and prejudice? Further, racism and sexism will be discussed with examples and the role of power in the same. To end, patriarchy will be discussed and its role in racism and sexism will be added
IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science is an International Journal edited by International Organization of Scientific Research (IOSR).The Journal provides a common forum where all aspects of humanities and social sciences are presented. IOSR-JHSS publishes original papers, review papers, conceptual framework, analytical and simulation models, case studies, empirical research, technical notes etc.
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Pathways to Equality: The Role of Men and Women in Gender EquityAtharv Kurhade
Gender sensitivity is a multifaceted concept that encompasses understanding, acknowledging, and addressing the impact of gender inequality on individuals and society. It involves recognizing the complex interplay between biological sex and socially constructed gender roles, as well as the ways in which these dynamics shape power dynamics, access to resources, and experiences of discrimination. In this comprehensive exploration of gender sensitivity, we will delve into various aspects, including the implications of gender inequality, the role of patriarchy, the importance of breaking stereotypes, and the necessity of promoting gender equality for the liberation of all genders.
Gender inequality manifests in numerous ways, affecting both men and women. Historically, women have faced systemic discrimination and oppression, resulting in limited opportunities for education, employment, and political participation. This inequality not only violates women's rights as citizens and individuals but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and restricts the full realization of their potential. However, it is essential to recognize that gender inequality also impacts men, albeit differently. Traditional notions of masculinity can create pressure to conform to rigid gender roles, leading to mental health issues, and inhibiting emotional expression.
Understanding the notion of citizenship is crucial for contextualizing gender inequality within broader social and political frameworks. Citizenship entails not only legal rights and responsibilities but also social and cultural recognition within a community or nation. However, gender-based discrimination often undermines women's citizenship rights, denying them equal access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making processes. This violation of women's rights as citizens reflects the pervasive nature of gender inequalities and highlights the urgent need for systemic change.
Central to the perpetuation of gender inequality is the patriarchal system, which privileges men's power and dominance over women. Patriarchy operates through social structures and institutions, reinforcing traditional gender norms and perpetuating inequalities in access to resources and positions of power. By understanding patriarchy as a root cause of gender inequality, we can begin to challenge and dismantle its harmful effects, paving the way for more equitable societies.
Biological sex and socially constructed gender are distinct yet interconnected aspects of identity that shape individuals' experiences and opportunities. While biological sex refers to physical characteristics such as anatomy and genetics, gender encompasses the roles, behaviors, and identities that society attributes to individuals based on their perceived sex. It is essential to recognize that gender is not inherently tied to biology but is instead shaped by cultural norms and expectations.
How Culture Constructs Gender DifferenceBiological models PazSilviapm
How Culture Constructs Gender Difference
Biological models assume that biological sex determines gender,
That biological differences lead to behavior differences, which lead to social arrangements.
By this account, social inequalities are encoded into our physiological composition.
That biological anomalies alone account for variation.
Biological researchers always assumed that gender difference implied gender inequality because western notions of difference do usually lead to and justify inequality.
However, some anthropologists argue that biological models projected their western values onto other cultures.
That these models ignore the role of colonialism and the roles of women in establishing gender differences in traditional cultures.
Anthropological evidence offers a world of amazing diversity of the cultural constructions of gender.
Yet some themes remain constant:
Virtually all societies manifest some amount of difference between men and women.
Virtually all cultures exhibit some form of male domination, despite variations in gender definitions.
Variations in Gender Definitions
Anthropologists have found far more variability in the definitions of masculinity and femininity than any biologist would have predicted.
Men possessed of similar levels of testosterone, with similar brain structure and lateralization, seem to exhibit dramatically different levels of aggression, violence, and, especially, violence toward women.
Women with similar brains, hormones, and evolutionary imperatives have widely different experiences of passivity, PMS, and spatial coordination.
Margaret Meade’s Work
Meade examined three very different cultures in New Guinea.
In the Arapesh culture, all members were passive, gentle, and emotionally warm.
Males and females were equally happy, trustful, and confident.
Men and women shared child rearing, both were “maternal” and both discouraged aggression in boys and girls.
Both men and women were thought to be relatively equally sexual.
In the Mundugamor culture (a tribe of head hunters and cannibals), citizens viewed men and women as similar but expected persons of both sexes to be violent and aggressive.
Women showed little “maternal instinct,” detested pregnancy and nursing and could hardly wait to return to the serious business of work.
There was violent rivalry between fathers and sons.
All people feared that they were being wronged by others.
In the Tchambuli culture (as in the US) men and women were seen as very different.
It was a patrilineal culture and polygyny was accepted.
One sex was comprised primarily of nurturing and gossipy consumers who spent their days dressing up and going shopping.
These were the men
The women were dominant, energetic, economic providers.
They fished (activity on which the entire culture depended).
They had real positions of power in the society.
Completely unadorned, they were business- like, controlled all commerce and diplomacy of the culture, and were the initiators of ...
COLLEGE PHYSICSChapter # Chapter TitlePowerPoint ImageLynellBull52
COLLEGE PHYSICS
Chapter # Chapter Title
PowerPoint Image Slideshow
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Chapter 12 GENDER, SEX AND SEXUALITY
What is Gender?
Gender
refers to the personal traits and life chances that a society links to being female or male.
Sex
is the biological distinction between females and males.
Intersexed
(click for video)
*
Gender identity: Psychological gender perception. Personal experience and performance of gender.
sociologist argue that gender is both externally and internally prescribed.
Gender role: cultural norms for male and female behavior. Social expectation in gendered behavior which is specific to culture.
What are Sex and Gender?
Intersex
people born with any of several variations in sex characteristics including chromosomes gonadssex hormonesgenitals that "do not” fit the typical definitions for male or female bodies
Intersexed (click for video)
*
Androgen (male hormone)
Androgen insensitivity syndrome (unable to respond to androgen) AIS
Klinefelter syndrome (XXY)
Triple X syndrome
Challenging the Gender Binary Third Gender
Gender Fluidity
Androgyny
Agender
Gender nonconformity
Gender fluidity: flexible range of gender and gender expressions that can change over time.
Third gender: a social category in which an individual can represent gender in a variety of ways independent of male or female or feminine or masculine; intermediate between genders; as neither gender; cross or swap genders.
Androgyny: display both feminine and masculine gender characteristics.
Agender: someone who does not identify with either gender; gender neutral
Gender non-conformity: doing gender in ways that are atypical for their prescribed gender assignment.
*
Gender Identity and Gender Role Native Fa’afafine Latin America Muxe/Muxhe (click for video)African MashogaEuropeBurrnesha Asian Hijra (click for video)
*
Gender Roles and Gender Identity
Theories of Gender
Theories of Gender Roles Essentialists
Evolutionary
Materialist/Economic
Essentialists: rely on biological or natural explanations of gender and gender role assignments: gender behavior is shaped by hormones
Evolutionary: Also based on biological or natural explanations of gender, but claims human beings are in constant state of adaptation to their environment in order to ensure survival. Gendered division of labor is functional need for the human family to survive. This is a very functionalist perspective.
Materialist/Economic: emphasize the impact of basic human economic needs in the formation of gender roles. Also explore and critique gender roles within the economic system of capitalism.
According to Bourdieu, cultural capital comes in three forms—embodied, objectified, and institutionalized. One’s accent or dialect is an example of embodied cultural capital, while a luxury car or record collection are examples of cultural capital in its objectified state. In its institutionalized form, cultural capital refers t ...
Similar to Lecture 5, on gender & sexuality (20)
Honest Reviews of Tim Han LMA Course Program.pptxtimhan337
Personal development courses are widely available today, with each one promising life-changing outcomes. Tim Han’s Life Mastery Achievers (LMA) Course has drawn a lot of interest. In addition to offering my frank assessment of Success Insider’s LMA Course, this piece examines the course’s effects via a variety of Tim Han LMA course reviews and Success Insider comments.
How to Make a Field invisible in Odoo 17Celine George
It is possible to hide or invisible some fields in odoo. Commonly using “invisible” attribute in the field definition to invisible the fields. This slide will show how to make a field invisible in odoo 17.
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Phyto-Pharmacological Screening, New Strategies for evaluating
Natural Products, In vitro evaluation techniques for Antioxidants, Antimicrobial and Anticancer drugs. In vivo evaluation techniques
for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
Antifertility, Toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines
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Acetabularia Information For Class 9 .docxvaibhavrinwa19
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June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
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The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
2. The core ideas and theories developed by
founding fathers of sociology e.g Positivism,
Social Facts, Capitalism and Modernity
fundamentally shaped contemporary
sociological thought.
From this week onwards, we will be covering a
range of contemporary sociological debates,
including debates on gender and sexuality,
social class, education and the media.
3. Sex and gender
Gender inequality
Feminism
4. Sexuality has long been considered a highly personal
subject and not been discussed in social sciences.
Sex: Anatomical and physiological differences that define
male and female bodies.
Gender: The psychological, social and cultural differences
between males and females. It relates to socially
constructed notions of masculinity and femininity and is
not necessarily a direct product of biological sex.
Sexual orientation: direction of one’s sexual or romantic
attraction (homosexual/ heterosexual/bisexual… etc).
5. There has been great interest in gender
studies across social science disciplines.
While biologist/ essentialist views dominated
gender studies in the past, the social
constructionist views gained significant
popularity in the past several decades.
6. Biological factors ranging from hormones to
chromosomes to brain size to genetics largely
determine behaviour patterns in men and
women and are responsible for innate
differences between the two genders.
Natural factors produce gender inequality in
the society. For example men’s tendency
towards aggression is associated to male’s
biology.
7. Gender is a ‘social construction’. What it
means to be a man or a woman is learnt and
not given and depends largely on when and
where people live.
Gender roles are guided by socialisation
processes and strengthened through
positive and negative sanctions that reward
or restrain behaviour. e.g. What a brave
boy/What a sweet girl/ boys do not cry... etc.
8. Regards biological explanations to be
reductionist as they reduce complex human
activities and social relations to a single
biological ‘cause’ and neglect the role of social
interaction in shaping human behaviour.
Cultural factors are influential in defining
masculinity and femininity. For example
anthropological and historical data on human
behaviour reveal a great degree of variation in
male and female behaviour over time and place.
9. Most nations are at their root patriarchal where
the father is considered the head of the
household, the breadwinner and decision-
maker. Males are given more power in political
and economic spheres.
10. Women’s increasing presence in paid employment
and the public sphere, however, led to changing
behavioural norms between men and women, gender
relations and public and private attitudes towards
sexuality.
Sexuality is not anymore tied to the process of
re-production & child birth and has come to be
increasingly separated from it.
Religious beliefs and traditional norms relating to
sexuality continue to exert an influence on peoples
attitudes and values, however, there is now a growing
acceptance of diverse forms of sexual behaviour and
orientations.
11. Through ‘gender socialisation’ children
gradually learn the social norms and
expectations that, according to dominant
ideas, correspond to their sex. Such
differences are not biologically determined
but culturally produced.
Gender socialisation may also lead to gender
inequalities due to assigning superior roles to
men and inferior roles to women.
12. Cultural and media products aimed at
young audiences embody stereotypical,
gendered representations of girls and boys.
Agencies of socialisation such as the family,
schools and peer groups may not produce a
homogenous socialising experience.
Individuals have the capacity to reject or modify
the social expectations around sex roles therefore
gender is not solely determined by socialisation
(refer to Durkheim’s ideas on social facts and
Weber on Social Action).
13. Feminist movements try to explain gender
inequalities and to set forth agenda for overcoming
those inequalities (Giddens & Sutton 2015: 653)
They criticise ‘patriarchy’ as the socially organised
dominance of men over women and argue that social
power held by men creates and sustains gender
inequality.
In their view, gender is a significant form of social
stratification and a key factor in structuring the types
of opportunities and life chances faced by individuals
and groups. Men’s roles are generally more highly
valued than women’s roles.
14. Feminist scholars argue that there is nothing
‘natural’ or ‘functional’ about the sexual division
of labour in the society which has led to men
and women assuming unequal positions in terms
of power, prestige and wealth. Order and control
in society are based on male power.
Feminist theories, however, contrast with one
another and have sought to interpret gender
inequalities through a variety of deeply
embedded social processes such as sexism,
patriarchy and capitalism.
15. Effective from September 2015 | FY10 Sociology week 2 - Society
Feminist Theories I
sheffield.ac.uk/international-college 15
There are different types of feminist theories and each emphasises different
forms of control as a way of understanding male-dominated social order.
Feminist social theory has influenced social policy for many years
addressing women’s lack of legal rights in society, lack of representation
on their rights to reproduction and the social consequences of living in a
patriarchal culture.
Feminism is concerned with improving the conditions of women in society,
hence feminist theory is about developing ideas, concepts and
philosophies that help meet that agenda.
It also focuses on adding to sociology as a subject and injecting the
acknowledgement of women’s female-oriented private sphere of
household and families.
16. Effective from September 2015 | FY10 Sociology week 2 - Society
Feminist Theories II
sheffield.ac.uk/international-college 16
Feminist theory is a term covering an increasing range of positions. Here we
will focus on the three core feminist views:
1.Liberal Feminism which focuses on the control of women through sexual
discrimination.
2.Socialist/Marxist Feminism which focuses on social class inequality as a
context in which females are oppressed, exploited and discriminated against
in patriarchal capitalist societies.
3.Radical Feminism which focuses specifically on patriarchy as the main
system of oppression against women. They argue that under patriarchy
women are controlled by men in both the public ( e.g. workplace) and private
(e.g. home) spheres.
17. Liberal Feminists look for explanations of gender inequalities in
social and cultural attitudes & call for legal and political equality
between males and females.
Unlike radical and socialist feminists, they do not see women’s
subordination as part of a larger system or structure and believe
in gradual reform.
For Liberal Feminists, gender equality is achievable through
progressive legislations and other democratic means such as
campaigning for gender equality legislations in the workplace,
education and the media.
Critics of Liberal Feminism argue that they are unsuccessful in
dealing with the root causes of gender inequality because they
do not acknowledge the systemic nature of women’s oppression
in society.
18. Social/Marxist Feminists aim to defeat both patriarchy and
capitalism and focus on the systemic nature of women’s
oppression.
They believe Capitalism as a socioeconomic, political and cultural
structure plays a major role in women’s subservience to men
and intensifies patriarchy in several ways:
a. By concentrating wealth and power in the hands of a small number of
men.
b. It also defines people – in particular women- as consumers,
persuading them that their needs will be met only through ever
increasing consumption of goods and products.
c. Capitalism also relies on women to labour for free in the home, caring
and cleaning.
They call for the restructuring of the family, the end of domestic
slavery which in their view can only be achieved through a
socialist revolution which would produce true equality under a
state-centred economy designed to meet the needs of all.
19. Patriarchy – systematic domination of females by males- is of central concern for
Radical Feminists. Men deny women’s access to positions of power and influence in
society and are responsible for and benefit from the exploitation of women. They
consider men’s violence against women central to male supremacy.
Popular conceptions of beauty and sexuality are imposed by men on women in
order to produce a certain type of femininity that perpetuate women’s
subordination. The objectification of women through the media, fashion and
advertising turns women into sexual objects whose main role is to please and
entertain men.
They see family as one of the primary sources of women’s oppression as it enable
men to control women’s roles in reproduction and child-rearing and makes them
dependent materially on men for protection and livelihood.
Women can be emancipated only through the abolition of the family and the
patriarchal order and the power relations which characterise it.
20. Throughout this session, we distinguished
between the naturalist and the social
constructionist perspectives on gender.
We also looked at ‘gender inequality’ and
Feminism and developed discussion on
different ways in which gender inequality has
been conceptualised by different feminist
schools of thought.
21. Review lecture notes and write down
questions for seminar one.
Read Giddens and Sutton (2015)
‘Gender Socialisation’ pp 636-639
and take notes.
Homework
sheffield.ac.uk/international-college 21
Editor's Notes
Feminist theories challenge the sociological theories that are based on the experience of men and not designed to capture women’s experience. Feminist theory also focuses on adding to sociology as a subject and injecting the acknowledgement of women’s female-oriented private sphere of household and families. Feminist theory is a term covering an increasing range of positions with six or seven different perspectives currently identified. In this course we will be focusing on the three core feminist views. Liberal feminists focus on the control of women through sexual discrimination, while Marxist feminism focuses on social class inequality to provide a context in which females are oppressed, exploited and discriminated against in patriarchal societies. Then there are radical feminists who focus specifically on patriarchy as the main system of oppression against women. They argue that under patriarchy women are controlled by men in both the public (workplace) and private (home) spheres.