...Chapter1 Introduction Feminism is not one unitary concept; it is instead diverse and multifaceted grouping of ideas and indeed, action. The basis of all strands of the concept may be stated as that it concerns itself with women’s inferior position in society sand with the discrimination encountered by women because of their sex. “Feminism is a doctrine suggesting that women are systematically disadvantaged in the modern society and advocating equal opportunities for men and women.”(The Penguin Dictionary of Sociology, second Ed). The term includes many loose like liberal feminism, Marxist and socialist feminism, radical feminism. Liberal feminists work for equal rights for women within the framework of the liberal state; they did not question the structure –economic or political-of the state but they demand the rights and privileges given by the state should be equally shared by man and women. Marxist and socialist feminists’ link gender inequality and women’s oppression to the capitalist system. Women suffer a double exploitation as women and as members of the working class. Radical feminists disregard all questions of political and economic dispensation to concentrate on the roots of the problem. The central root of the problem is the system of patriarchy which leads to all kinds of discrimination against and devaluation of women. Politico-economic questions are not the roots but only auxiliaries. The concept of gender is the real villain and has to be demolished. Lately...
Words: 12016 - Pages: 49
...in her book In Search of our Mother’s Gardens. What is womanism? What are womanist views of feminism and are they well founded? Many womanists would agree that the feminist movement was only to created to end sexism. Author Bell Hooks states that anyone who supports feminist politics needs to comprehend the fact that the work does not end with the fight for gender equality (Hooks, 662). Many womanists would believe that feminism was only created by middle-class white women for middle-class white women, and they would be correct. Many feminists only believe in equal rights for middle-class...
Words: 1599 - Pages: 7
...In The Color Purple, by Alice Walker, the situation of Black American in the 1900's, is a delicate circumstance in which similar problems of their predecessor are still in effect although, evolved in an indirect way. African enslavement began in 1492 and yet at the turn of the nineteenth century, African Americans were being freed in a general sense by law; however, not in society, and were slaves in their own culture. The more traditional problem that affected Blacks was the difference in skin coloring that was still had a lasting effect that resulted in indirect segregation. For example, Celie and Olivia’s mother are obviously treated poorly by a White man, yet are only to address him with respect, “She say, Yes sir. I want five yards, please...
Words: 396 - Pages: 2
...Women in southern history were truly great people. They made a huge impact on traditions, laws, and people's overall perspective of women. From the time of Reconstruction to Second Wave Feminism, the women were considered to be politicians, suffragists, and some would even classify them as heroes to other women in the world. They played major roles in stopping the segregation and discrimination against African American people, helping women gain the right to vote, and helping the men of that era gain progress. The women that were determined to make a change also made an impact on other women that thought there was no chance of women gaining any rights in the United States, including African American women. After women were exposed to such...
Words: 1977 - Pages: 8
...The I Ching stated that "'Great Righteousness is shown in that man and woman occupy their correct places; the relative positions of Heaven and Earth.'" Women were to be submissive and obedient to men. Women were not allowed to participate in government or community institutions. A number of women, and some men, spoke out against these conditions in the early 20th century, but to little avail. As a result of government approval, women's rights groups became increasingly active in China: "One of the most striking manifestations of social change and awakening which has accompanied the Revolution in China has been the emergence of a vigorous and active Woman's Movement." Beginning in the 70s and continuing in the 80s, however, many Chinese feminists began arguing that the Communist government had been "consistently willing to treat women's liberation as something to be achieved later, after class inequalities had been taken care of."[9] Some feminists claim that part of the problem is a tendency on the government's part to interpret "equality" as sameness, and then to treat women according to an unexamined standard of male normalcy.[10] Chapter two: definition, development, and categories of feminism 1. Definition of feminism Throughout history, women have always struggled to obtain equality, respect, and the same rights as men. This has been difficult because of patriarchy, an ideology in which men are superior to women and have the right to control women. This ideology has...
Words: 2859 - Pages: 12
...rights and protect women from their tyrannical husbands" (Brinkley). The Antebellum reform movements created a new wave of women's rights movements. "Transcendentalism and utopian communities each had a sense of feminism within them. John Humphrey's image of a perfect community, Oneida Community, rejected the "traditional" ideas of family and marriage. Instead of just the mother taking care of a child, the whole community helps out. In Ann Lee's Shaker Society, the residents committed to celibacy. Men and women were equal in all aspects and god was neither male nor female. Utopian societies were "perfect" worlds that many people in this time period created. So women being viewed as equals in almost all of them was a big step in the women's rights...
Words: 688 - Pages: 3
...STUDENTS’ CONSTRUCTION OF THE BODY IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of Kinesiology by Laura Azzarito B.S., Universita’ di Scienze Motorie di Torino, Italy, 1994 M.S., University of Maryland, College Park, 2000 December 2004 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I’m very grateful to all the students and teachers who are the subjects of this work. I greatly appreciate their willingness to participate in this research and the time they dedicated to all of the interviews and member checks. I also thank the principals who gave me permission to conduct this study. I especially acknowledge and thank physical education teachers Celeste Alfred, for welcoming me to her school, and Vickie Braud for her great help in making contacts necessary to complete my data collection. Both Vickie and Celeste were wonderful throughout my research process, helping me to observe classes and arrange student interviews at the schools. I greatly appreciate all the suggestions, insights and comments of my committee members. Thank you to all of them: Dr. Kuttruff, my external committee member, for her interest in following the steps of my dissertation; Dr. Magill, for bringing a very challenging and valuable perspective to my research; Dr. Lee, for her deep knowledge and expertise in the field of physical education;...
Words: 64949 - Pages: 260
...did expanding democracy intersect with American society becoming increasingly “race-based”? Why did race become one of the most important parts of national life? 3. According to Brodkin what was “the biggest and best affirmative action program”? Discuss two factors pointed out by her that contributed to the success of Jews. 4. John Smith a middle class white man, has lunch with Tatum (Defining Racism) and Lipsitz (Possessive Investment in Whiteness). Lipsitz says, “The U.S. is a racist society.” Tatum nods in agreement. John says, “I know what you mean. Yesterday, I got lost in a poor, black area of Washington D.C. I stopped for fast food and a black female server ignored my order and took the order of the black guy behind me. Role play Tatum and Lipsitz. How will you (as Tatum and Lipsitz respond to Smith’s remark? We have a white dominant society. Can refer Schwalbe’s idea. Using the terms carefully. Different ethnics groups can be prejudice against others but has to be rational thinking. Its prejudice, not racist. Encountering prejudice is not pleasant but it does not effect your life chances. Police system was created for slaves – aka slave control. 5. What are the pros and cons of busing? How are busing and tracking connected? Drawing on Lareau and one other reading present your evaluation of whether affirmative action has a place in college admission policies Pro – desegregates communities, forces whites and blacks to have same...
Words: 632 - Pages: 3
...directors just shifted it to minor details, lyrics, and iconographies. Primarily, Tiana’s childhood “best friend” Charlotte represents the cliché white, blonde, spoiled and rich girl that calls her father “big daddy”. She certainly believes that wishing upon a star will solve one's problems. Her dreams have always been about marrying a prince and becoming a princess, although her father could afford all the tiaras in the world. Moreover, writers use the song: “Down in New Orleans” to describe the city and its people (Newman, Down in New Orleans -The Princess and the Frog). However, a certain lyric: “Where the women are very pretty and all the men deliver” assumes that all women are sexualized objects and reduces their significance, in the community, to their looks. Finally, the biggest womanizer and playboy of all: Prince Naveen, he certainly is the epitome of sexism. When Naveen, Louis the alligator, and Tiana sing another song “When We’re Human”, animals dance and gather around them. Naveen’s part goes like this: “… A redhead on my left arm, A brunette on my right, A blonde or two to hold the candles, Now that seems just about right…” during those lyrics multicolored butterflies are represented as female exotic dancers around him, showing the swiftness of getting girls when he is a rich and handsome prince (Newman, When we are human: The Princess and the Frog...
Words: 2447 - Pages: 10
...fathers were penalized, moreover fathers were not penalized for the same, but received benefits for having children. The researchers used a qualitative method to evaluate most employers, secondly a laboratory experiment was taken on some evaluators to see how they rated the applicants in terms of competence, workplace commitment, hire ability, promotion and salary. The audit study was measured on the number of callbacks from employers, and it was observed that there was no difference in productivity and skills between mothers and non-mothers. The status based (African-American or white) of the mothers were also manipulated in the laboratory experiment to see if race had an effect of getting jobs for mothers when compared to non -mothers, the theory predicted that both African -American and white will experience biases in workplace settings, though the white race mothers are more likely to get promoted than African-Americans. In the results of the experiments taken at the laboratory, it was clearly suggested that real employers did discriminate against mothers, culturally some stated and believed that mothers should not be in workplace but instead be at home with their children. Motherhood penalty also explains “According to this ideal worker’s belief, the best worker is the ‘committed’ worker who demonstrates intensive effort on the job through actions that appear to sacrifice all other concerns for work…examples include a willingness to drop everything at a moment’s notice for...
Words: 1536 - Pages: 7
...also the most known, The American Flag. This flag symbolizes strength, freedom, and also the rights and liberty of its people. The mere sight of the flag has granted men and women the courageousness and disposition to sacrifice their own lives so as to guard what it means to them personally. The American Flag was more than just a flag, it was an idea that brought citizens of the United states into unity. America was now not underneath the management of Britain...
Words: 1579 - Pages: 7
...Patriarchy is best defined as control by men. The opposite is matriarchy which means women are in charge and the head of families. Obviously, the culture of the United States and most other countries is patriarchal. Men have the power and control the women. If you don't believe that consider the basics of how our society functions. Women constantly must fight for their rights and sometimes they struggle just to survive without the power and domination of men threatening them. Whether an individual woman wants to conquer patriarchy will come from her desire to be independent and defined outside the context of men. Look to most world leaders to see how powerful patriarchy is. Women are certainly as capable as men to be President of the United States, yet they are not and probably won't be any time soon. Men have been in that role for so long that our country probably does not believe it is possible. Consider who is typically at the head of a company or leaders in local governments. While certainly more women are fulfilling these roles, it is a constant struggle for the ones who are able to achieve that success with men having much more power just by their biological nature. Men have not had to fight for their place in society like women have. It has been an expectation that they will become leaders because that is what patriarchy is about. Much of patriarchy also has its roots in Christianity. Religions which believe the Bible or other religious text often follow it faithfully...
Words: 12725 - Pages: 51
...Bryant-45099 Part I.qxd 10/18/2006 7:42 PM Page 36 5 FEMINIST METHODOLOGIES AND EPISTEMOLOGY ANDREA DOUCET Carleton University, Canada NATASHA S. MAUTHNER University of Aberdeen, Scotland O ver the past 10 years of teaching courses on research methods and feminist approaches to methodologies and epistemologies, a recurring question from our students concerns the distinctiveness of feminist approaches to methods, methodologies, and epistemologies. This key question is posed in different ways: Is there a specifically feminist method? Are there feminist methodologies and epistemologies, or simply feminist approaches to these? Given diversity and debates in feminist theory, how can there be a consensus on what constitutes “feminist” methodologies and epistemologies? Answers to these questions are far from straightforward given the continually evolving nature of feminist reflections on the methodological and epistemological dimensions and dilemmas of research. This chapter on feminist methodologies and epistemologies attempts to address these questions by tracing historical developments in this area, by considering what may be unique about feminist epistemologies and feminist methodologies, by reviewing some of sociology’s key contributions to this area of scholarship and by highlighting some key emergent trends. The chapter begins with a brief overview of the theoretical and historical development of feminist epistemologies, followed by a similar overview...
Words: 12047 - Pages: 49
...allowing all processes to occur as a means positive transformation. Through the boundaries of sex and race, Sullivan reveals the human individual as a body no longer bounded by absolute substance. Instead, we can find direction and freedom within the dynamic relationship of body and environment, and address the impact of the insurmountable activities of life “on people’s lived situations and experiences” (Sullivan 3). Acknowledgment of our transactional bodies formation by mutual constitution and categorization of the world comes with the examination of the “hidden assumptions and blind spots” that accompany a particular perspective, and ultimately, the potential of changed habit for achieving what Dewey previously defines as a Great community (Sullivan 4). By encouraging the collaboration and advantages of a transactional perspective of our own body, Sullivan wishes to free the boundaries of fixed habit and improve bodily existence through a blend of 20th Century pragmatism. Sullivan’s concern remains within the social, ethical, and epistemological implications of transactional bodies, encouraging the explanation of the true harm and benefit of different transactions onto different people. Subject and object compartmentalized as separate entities suggest an exchange that never allows for the conceptualization of co-constitution, so Sullivan respectively begins with her theory of transaction (Sullivan 32). Organisms bounded by their independence are limited to the boundaries...
Words: 1057 - Pages: 5
...Ms. Latasha Keith HUMN401-1305B-01: Literature and Film Professor Bonnie Ronson January 19, 2014 Unit 2 Individual Project – Canonical Classics of Literature Section 1- Introduction Ken Kesey’s novel “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is set at an Oregon asylum in the 1950s (NovelGuide.com). The book is a study in the institutional process of the human mind, a critique of Behaviorism and a celebration of humanistic principles while exploring themes of individuality and rebellion against socially imposed repression (NovelGuide.com; SparkNotes.com; CliffsNotes.com). These themes and ideas were the topic of discussion during the publication of this novel because the world was introduced to communism and totalitarian regimes. The novel was published in 1962 and received with immediate success (SparkNotes.com). Section 2 – Biographical Information La Junta, Colorado is the birthplace of novelist Ken Kesey. He was born in 1935 and grew up on a small farm in Oregon and Colorado with his family. He married his high school sweetheart in 1956 and they had three children together (Lone Star College). He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon where he participated in wrestling and theater in 1957 (Lone Star College; SparkNotes.com). In 1959, Kesey enrolled in a creative writing program at Stanford University, the same year where he began volunteering with the Stanford Psychology Department (CliffsNotes.com; Lone Star College). The Stanford Psychology...
Words: 2726 - Pages: 11