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 Sex
thought patterns are the norm Biological: Male/Female
Previously considered
Hierarchy of value and power binary
based on gender, race, class, Now increasingly seen as
sexual orientation, etc. fluid
Men and women are judged Gender
differently for the same Social construct:
characteristics 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.
