FEMINISM
Dr. Charu Sethi
MEANING
The word feminism is derived from the French word
‘feminisme’
It is a theory of political, economic and social equality of
the sexes and it also denotes organized activity on behalf
of women’s rights and interest.
It is historically and culturally concrete reality and levels of
consciousness perceptions and actions.
It is an awareness of women’s oppression and exploitation
in society at the place of work, family and conscious actions
to change this situation.
Feminism is an awareness of patriarchal control, exploitation
and oppression at material and ideological levels of women’s
labour, fertility and sexuality in the family, place of work,
society, religion, politics etc and conscious actions by men
and women to transform the present situation.
It lays emphasis on the set of activities
intended to achieve this state of equilibrium.
It is defined as the advocacy of social equality
for men and women, in opposition to patriarchy
and sexism. It focuses on equality of sexes.
It is analysis of women subordination for the
purpose of fighting how to change it.
Three phases
1. observe/experiencing ( no reaction)
2. critical analysis (Thinking)
3. fighting to change it (Reaction)
WAVES OF FEMINISM
1st wave- 19th and early 20th century primarily focused on
women voting rights. It began in US in 1840 as women
opposed to slavery. The Seneca Falls convention began social
movement which leads to women right to vote in 1920.
2nd wave- began in 1960’s refers to women liberation
movement and was concerned with legal and social
equality of women. It focused on discrimination of
women on social, cultural and political issues. Simone
de Beauvoir “The second sex”. Kate Millet’s “Sexual Politics”.
It was accused of only catering the needs of upper caste
white women.
3rd wave- beginning of 1990’s. it addressed feminism across
class and race. Questioning on fixed categories of gender
and women. Equal rights and opportunities to men and
women.
4th wave- Me Too movement
Eco feminism
Black feminism
Dalit feminism
FEMINIST THEORIES
Liberal- Criticised the thinking of Roussaeu
(only suited as wives) and Aristotle
(deformity).
It is based on philosophy that every person
is to be given equal civil rights and
opportunities.
It assumes that inequality of women stems
from the denial to them equal rights and
from their learned reluctance to exercise
such rights.
It believed that with equal education
women will be equally as rational as men.
Marxist- It sees women’s oppression as
rooted not in sexism but in capitalism, with
the introduction of private property
Equal wages for equal work (Production)
Recognition of domestic work by paying for
it. Women as performer of unprofitable task
which is undermined in value and
contribution. (Reproduction).
Mother right to monogamy
Sexual division of labour
Radical- it is deep rooted and sexual under
patriarchy
Focused on sexual oppression of women. Terms
like gender, patriarchy and objectification were
used.
Focused on men control over women body.
Forced motherhood
Women as sexual slaves.
Child bearing and child rearing responsibilities
are associated with women only.
Reproductive technologies for women
Socialist- work against categories of class,
race, gender and sexuality so that they no
longer act as barriers to equal sharing of
resources.
Women are only seen as sexual objects
Alienation of women from her body
Psychological liberation of women
Psychoanalytical
Against sexist assumptions against
women’s lives and minds.
Freud’s Penis envy
Kate millet- theory based only on
assumptions of unexamined social codes
and roles of women.
Nancy Chodrow “The reproduction of
mothering” women’s roles as nurturing
mothers are socially determined.
