The document provides an overview of the evolution of gender studies from sociology of women to feminist sociology to sociology of gender. It traces key developments and social movements related to changing gender relations from the 19th to 21st centuries that provide context for the field. It also discusses different waves of feminism and perspectives within feminism and anti-feminism.

1. SC2220: Gender Studies: An Overview Dr. Eric C. Thompson

8. What is Feminism ? What is a Feminist ?

9. A doctrine suggesting that women are systematically disadvantaged in modern society and advocating equal opportunities for men and women. (Dictionary of Sociology; Penguin Publishing) A social movement which seeks to achieve equality between the sexes by extension of rights for women. (Oxford Dictionary of Sociology) Is Feminism . . . ? “‘ Women’ is an unstable category ... and feminism is the site of the systematic fighting out of that instability.” (Riley, p.5)

10. Liberal Feminism (1) : Men and women should be treated equally and the same. Liberal Feminism (2) : Men and women and intersexed are not “the same” (however, they are more alike than they are different & society exaggerates difference). Gender is a pervasive social and cultural institution that must be analyzed and understood; Social and political changes should be made that allow the widest possible choices and opportunities for women and men and intersexed. Liberal Feminisms

11. Other Feminisms* Marxist/Socialist Feminism : Capitalism operates in conjunction with patriarchy to oppress women; primary focus on the political-economy of women’s oppression. Radical Feminism : The source of all oppression is patriarchy , which is “men’s misogynist domination of women through violence” (Lorber, p. 4).** Women are better off without men. **We will be critiquing this definition of patriarchy later in the semester. Black Feminism : Racism operates in conjunction with patriarchy to oppress women. Muslim Feminism : Traditional male interpretations of Islam must be questioned to find the true meaning of the role of women in Islam (e.g. Sisters in Islam – Malaysia; Irshad Manji - Canada). *See also Lorber 1994; these are only a few of many “varieties” of feminism.

12. Anti-Feminisms Conservative Anti-Feminism : Society is fine just the way it is; Men and women fulfill appropriate sex-roles that allow society to function (e.g. Talcott Parsons*). Changing sex-roles are dangerous. Conservative Anti-Feminism has a number of variants, for example: Western, Asian, Christian , Muslim, etc. Radical Anti-Feminism : “A feminazi is a woman to whom the most important thing in life is seeing to it that as many abortions as possible are performed” (Rush Limbaugh, conservative American radio talk show host). More generally, any advocate of any form of “feminism” is a “ feminazi . ” Men are superior to women; Women must be kept in their place at all costs. http://stars.nhb.gov.sg/data/pdfdoc/2004042102.htm http://www.aware.org.sg/main/article_29.shtml Change or Not? Views from Singapore *See: Franklin, p. xix

13. No More Feminists? Anti-feminists have been largely successful in characterizing all feminists/feminisms as either Liberal Feminists-1 (men and women are the same) or Radical Feminists (men are the root of all evil). (See: Faludi 1991 ) Basic ideas of feminism (e.g. that women should be given similar opportunities as men in most areas of public life) are now widely accepted in many societies – Singapore, United States, etc. At the same time, most people deny any connection with feminism, while supporting feminist principles (e.g. “I believe women and men should have equal opportunities; but I’m not a feminist! ”)

14. Another take onMary Tyler Moore…

18. Sociology of Women Feminist Sociology Sociology of Gender Franklin pp. xiv & xxvii Up to 1970s* 1970s-1990s* 1990s-present* Changing Gender Relations & Social Movements through the 19 th to 21 st centuries provide an important context for the development of Gender Studies *The dates indicate periods when each was a dominant trend; all three trends can be found in all periods of academic history.

19. Sociology of Women Feminist Sociology Sociology of Gender Franklin pp. xiv & xxvii “ Additive”… sought to make women ‘visible’ in sociology; Research about women’s experience. Reconceptualization of society; Focus on patriarchy and gendering of all aspects of social life; Explicitly political Deconstruction of the category “women”; Focus on gender rather than women ; Including men , masculinities, intersexed , and sexualities . Up to 1970s 1970s-1990s 1990s-present From “Women” to “Gender”

23. Sociology of Women Feminist Sociology Sociology of Gender Franklin pp. xiv & xxvii “ Additive”… sought to make women ‘visible’ in sociology; Research about women’s experience. Reconceptualization of society; Focus on patriarchy and gendering of all aspects of social life; Explicitly political Deconstruction of the category “women”; Focus on gender rather than women ; Including men , masculinities, intersexed , and sexualities . Up to 1970s 1970s-1990s 1990s-present From “Women” to “Gender”

24. Gong Xi Fa Cai!