Feminism

Reported by: Ms. Bel Patrice T. Tisuela

Agenda
 What is feminism?

 A very brief history

 Types of feminism

 Assumptions about human nature

What is Feminism?

Feminism is a diverse, competing, and often opposing

collection of social theories, political movements, and moral
philosophies, largely motivated by or concerning the
experiences of women, especially in terms of their social,
political, and economic inequalities.
“Is feminism dead?” (7-15-98)
 Types of Feminism

 A diverse, competing, and often opposing collection of

social theories, political movements, and moral
philosophies

 Three main differences

 Emphasize unique qualities of women?
 Integrate issues of culture and class into viewpoint?
 Advocate for rejection of masculine or patriarchal models?
Types of Feminism

 Liberal Feminism
 Emphasis on equality of women & men
 Aims to change current legal structures and
interventions to promote access for women
 Criticized (by other feminists) for trying to be
like men
Types of Feminism

 Cultural Feminism
 Emphasizes differences between men & women
 Values unique female qualities
 Gender interacts with race, social class, and other factors

“We found that one important source of healing emerged when we

got in touch with all the factors in our lives that were causing
particular pain. For black females, and males too, that means
learning about the myriad ways racism, sexism, class exploitation,
homophobia, and various other structures of domination operate in
our daily lives to undermine our capacity to be self-determining.”
-- bell hooks
 Types of Feminism

 Radical & Socialist Feminism

 Oppression based on gender is the most stubborn form of
injustice (Hillary Clinton heckled)
 Capitalism is oppressive
 The whole patriarchal, capitalist system needs to be abolished
 Advocates separatism
 Questions heterosexuality

Left Right
Radical/Social Cultural Liberal
 History (herstory)
 Karen Horney (1966)
• Psychoanalyst who rejected “penis envy”

• Women envy men’s power and social status

 Phyllis Chesler (1972)

• Criticized patriarchal male therapist-female client relationship
(therapist is expert, woman submits to his wisdom)
• Said that refusal to conform was labeled as mental illness

 NOW (National Organization for Women)

• Betty Friedan, 1966
• Political issues/discrimination laws and hiring processes

 Consciousness raising groups (1970s)

• Bring about social change
• No leaders, open discussion
• Personal is political (gender role stereotypes in workplace, society)
Different meanings in different cultures
 Assumptions about Human Nature

 We exist in a political and social system that is male

dominated: Patriarchy
 In order for women to experience changes in personal
lives, political changes (to social institutions) must occur
 Gender schemas/sex-role stereotypes limit development
• In society, men have more power than women
• Women are taught to rely on men
 Patriarchy
 Masculine behaviors and
thought patterns are the norm
 Hierarchy of value and power
based on gender, race, class,
sexual orientation, etc.
 Men and women are judged
differently for the same
characteristics
Sex
 Biological: Male/Female
 Previously considered
binary
 Now increasingly seen as
fluid
Gender
 Social construct:
Masculine/Feminine
 Occurs on a continuum
 Gender Socialization

 Gender and Children

 First question asked?

 Males preferred in many cultures

 Infant behavior across gender is similar: treatment is different

 Baby’s clothing predicted how “it” was treated (Smith & Lloyd, 1978)
 Media, teachers, peers, etc. often provide and reinforce gender role
expectations (i.e., what is socially appropriate for females & males)

 Over time, a gender role schema develops:

We interpret our world based on our gender expectations
Gender socialization cont.
 Puberty
 Sex differences become more visually apparent
 Conflict for girls because of how society views the female
body and role of female sexuality-conflicting
 Importance of appearance (especially for girls)
 Sexual double-standard
 Negative response to menstruation

 Adulthood
 Working mom/Superwoman
 Role strain/conflict
 Lack of support (at work and home)
 Glass ceiling
 “Empty Nest”
 Menopause
 Research
 Enns & Hackett (1990)
College women preferred feminist counselors to non-feminist
counselors when career planning, sexual harassment, or assault was
the issue.

 Marecek et al. (1979)

67% of women in feminist therapy and 38% of women in traditional
therapy found therapy to be helpful

 Schneider (1985)
Feminist therapists seen as most helpful for career issues versus
marriage or parental concerns
Some Good References

 Brown, Laura (1994). Subversive Dialogues:

Theory in feminist therapy.

 Chesler, Phyllis (1972). Women and madness.

 Davis, Angela (1983). Women Race & Class.

 Enns, Carolyn (2004). Feminist Theories &

Feminist Psychotherapies.