Waves of feminism
Feminism has been described as going though waves where a particular
form of misogyny is confronted. This is ‘resolved’ until another form of
misogyny appears and so on.
Equality feminism
A form of feminism that spans across liberal, socialist, radical and
postmodern feminism which seeks equality for men and women in society
and believes that biological differences between men and women are
inconsequential.
Public sphere
The area in society where relationships are public, specifically life outside
the home, particularly society and work.
Private sphere
The area in society where relationships are seen as private, specifically
home and domestic life.
Difference feminism
A form of radical feminism that argues that men and women are
fundamentally different from one another.
Essentialism
This is the belief that biological factors are significant in the different
behaviour of men and women.
Cultural feminism
Form of difference feminism that seeks to challenge the dominance of male culture in society by promoting women’s values.
Intersectionality
An idea that challenged the idea that ‘gender’ was the singular factor in determining a woman’s fate, arguing that Black and working – class women’s experiences of patriarchy are different from those of white, middle – class women.
Political equality
Equal right to vote and protest
Legal equality
No one is above the law and the law applies equally to all
Equality of opportunity
All individuals have equal chances in life to rise and fall
Discrimination
Less favourable treatment of one group of people compared to other groups
Gender stereotypes
The dominant and usually negative views in society on the different ways
men and women should behave.
Reformist
Seeking to change society gradually and peacefully
Gender equality
The belief that men and women are of equal value in society and should
be treated the same.
Reserve army of labour
The idea that women constitute a spare workforce that can be called upon
as and when needed.
Otherness
The idea that women were considered to be fundamentally different to
men, who were seen as the ‘norm’; women were seen as deviants from
this norm.
Foundational equality
Rights that all humans have by virtue of being born which cannot be taken away.
Formal equality
The idea that all individuals have the same political and legal rights in
society.
Androgyny
The idea that human nature is ‘sexless’ and that one’s sex is irrelevant to
one’s social role or political status.
Patriarchy
The systematic, institutionalised and pervasive system of male oppression
Second – wave feminism
The form of feminism that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s and was characterised by a more radical concern with ‘women’s’ liberation’, especially in the private sphere.
Eternal feminine
The idea that idealises women as solely virtuous – modest, graceful, pure, delicate, civil, compliant, reticent, chaste, affable and polite.
Misogyny
Ingrained prejudice against women
