GRADE 11 | DISS

FEMINIST
THEORY
LESSON 3
 PRELIMINARY ACTiVITY
1.Begin with a "Think-Pair-Share" activity:
⚬ Think: Students individually write
down three examples of gender
expectations they've observed in
society.
⚬ Pair: Students share their examples
with a partner and discuss where
these expectations come from.
⚬ Share: Volunteers share interesting
points from their discussions with the
class.
FEMINIST
THEORY
Feminism addresses women's social,
economic, and political rights,
advocating for their equal involvement
in areas like business and politics.
Historically, women have had fewer
rights compared to men, leading to the
rise of feminist theory to highlight and
address these inequalities.
FEMINIST
THEORY
Feminism, often rooted in Western
thought, focuses on challenging the
perception of women as inferior to
men. Traditionally, women were
confined to roles like housewives,
denied education, and lacked legal
rights. As Deborah Madsen notes,
“Feminism stands for women’s status
in society and demands gender
consciousness and oppression
awareness.”
FEMINIST
THEORY
Feminist theory addresses the
constraints that limit women’s freedom
and seeks to combat societal
prejudice. It encompasses a
commitment to rational obligations and
political actions aimed at achieving
justice for women and ending sexism.
FIRST WAVE
The first wave of feminism addressed key issues
such as marriage, property rights, and the right to
vote. It focused on women's rights and suffrage,
advocating for equal pay, education, and legal rights,
including reproductive rights and sexuality. This wave
emphasized equal opportunities for women and
secured voting rights for many women in the early
20th century. Notable feminists from this period
include Elizabeth Robins, Dorothy Richardson,
Katherine Mansfield, and Virginia Woolf.
ELIZABETH ROBINS

Elizabeth Robins (1862–1952) was a

prominent figure in the first wave of
feminism, known for her advocacy for
women's rights and suffrage. Elizabeth
Robins championed gender equality and
social reform, actively participating in the
suffrage movement and collaborating
with other feminists to secure voting
rights and improve opportunities for
women. Her work laid the foundation for
future feminist efforts.
 DOROTHY
RICHARDSON
Dorothy Richardson (1873–1957) was an
influential writer and feminist. She used
her modernist writing style to highlight
women's experiences and support
women's rights. She was also active in
the suffrage movement, advocating for
women's voting rights.
 KATHERINE
MANSFIELD
Katherine Mansfield (1888–1923) was a
renowned writer and feminist known for
her short stories that often explored the
lives and struggles of women. Her
modernist writing style and focus on
women’s experiences helped shine a
light on gender issues. Mansfield was
also involved in the feminist movement,
advocating for women's rights and
equality.
 VIRGINIA WOOLF

Virginia Woolf (1882–1941) was a

famous writer and feminist. Her books,
such as Mrs Dalloway and To the
Lighthouse, focused on women’s
experiences and thoughts. Woolf
highlighted the need for women’s
independence and opportunities to
succeed
 SECOND WAVE
The second wave of feminism began in 1960s. It stressed
social, cultural, and political inequality to women in the
society. This wave in feminism revealed diverse scopes of
feminism based on women practices and stand. It comprised
vigorous involvement of women economically ahead of
World War II. This period was the beginning of women
education and women involvement on civil rights and radical
issues attached to young women culture change. It made
women aware of sexual discrimination which led to
resistance. Therefore, sexual liberation and reproduction
rights of women became fundamental issues.
THIRD WAVE
The third wave of feminism or Post-feminism
also started in the 1960s and flourished in the
21st century. It looked into the relation of
language and gender; also tackled issues
attached to discrimination of women in the
publication arena and covered the facet of
multiculturalism and competition. It contested
the dominating sort of white feminism has a
strong message concerning several conception
of awareness in the society. It was a protest
which happened in the 1980s that lifted the
issues like class, race, culture and sexuality
TYPES OF FEMINIST
MOVEMENTS
I. LIBERAL FEMINISM

18th to 19th
Century
• Female education and equal
opportunities.
• Political and legal equality among men
and women such as reproductive
rights to women, voting, equal wages
and health care.
• Gender equality, equal rights regarding
legal matters, education and work
opportunities.
 TYPES OF LIBERAL FEMINISM

A. Libertarian
Feminism
• Equality in property distribution
between men and women.
• Freedom for conscience and
expression such as women sexual and
domestic violence.
• The right to compensation when
someone violates the rights.
 TYPES OF LIBERAL FEMINISM

B. Egalitarian
Liberal Feminism

• Freedom to choose personal autonomy

such as, understand their social status,
acquire personal and self-governing
elements of women.
II. SOCIALIST FEMINIST

• Private and public aspects of

women were given focus.
• Liberation cannot be achieved
unless the economic and
cultural sources of women
oppression end.
III. ANARCHY FEMINISM

19`th-20th
Century
• Resist patriarchy, state power, and class
divisions
• The Independence of Woman: right to
support herself; to live for herself; to love
whomever she like
• Freedom for both sexes: freedom of
action; freedom in love; freedom in
motherhood.
 EMMA
GOLDMAN
Emma Goldman (1869–1940) was a
prominent anarchist, feminist, and
activist. Known for her advocacy of
anarchism, workers' rights, and women's
liberation, she fought for social justice
and free speech. Her influential writings
and activism left a lasting impact on both
anarchist and feminist movements.
 VOLTAIRINE DE
CLEYRE
Voltairine de Cleyre (1866–1912) was a
prominent American anarchist and
feminist known for her advocacy of
individual freedom, women's rights, and
anti-authoritarianism. Her influential
writings and speeches continue to impact
anarchist and feminist thought.
 LUCY PARSON

Lucy Parsons (1851–1942) was a key

American anarchist and labor activist
who championed workers' rights, social
justice, and equality. Known for her
powerful advocacy, she worked tirelessly
for better working conditions and fought
against racial and gender discrimination.
IV. RADICAL FEMINISM

• Patriarchy in the society was

abolished.
• The cause of all inequalities in the
society is based on gender identity,
class, perceived attractiveness,
sexual orientation and ability.
• Women's liberation movement.
VI. EQUALITY FEMINISM

• Equal treatment of male and female sexes

• Women should enjoy all the legal as well as
political rights similar to men as they are
human beings.
 MARY
WOLLSTONECRAFT

Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797)

was an influential British writer and
early feminist. Her seminal work, A
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
(1792), argued for women's
education and equal rights.
Wollstonecraft is celebrated for her
advocacy of gender equality and
her role in the early feminist
movement.
 JOHN
STUART MILL
John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) was a
British philosopher and economist known
for his work on utilitarianism, individual
freedom, and women's rights. His key
writings include On Liberty, which
advocates for personal freedoms, and
The Subjection of Women, which argues
for gender equality. His ideas remain
influential in political philosophy and
social reform.
VI. AMAZON FEMINISM

• Female physical power as a means

to achieve the goal of gender
equality.
• This term is used to describe a form
of feminism that emphasizes
strength, independence, and
empowerment, often challenging
traditional gender roles and norms.
 VII. POSTCOLONIAL
FEMINISM

• Deals with the topics like racism,

colonialism and its cultural,
economic and political effects on
the society that explore some
particular gender realities of non-
white and non-western women.
VIII. MARXIST FEMINISM

• The dismantling of capitalism as a

way of liberating women was given
focus.
• Women should be given freedom to
work, and should get equal wages
for their work at the workplace.
IX. CYBER FEMINISM

1980s and 1990s.

• Sets of practices that deal with feminist

interactions and acts in cyberspace.
• Women's use of new information and
communication technologies for their
upliftment.
X. INDIVIDUALIST FEMINISM

• Emphasizes on the
transformation of the legal
system in order to eliminate the
inequality
• Freedom of an individual over the
private property on the basis of
equality.
XI. LESBIAN FEMINISM

1970s and 1980s

• Deals with the issues related to lesbian

and women in the society.
• Society is structured to serve heterosexual
needs
• Lesbians within the Women's Liberation
Movement (WLM) feminist lesbian politics,
and lesbians in the Gay Liberation Front
(GLF).
X. INDIVIDUALIST FEMINISM

• Emphasizes on the transformation

of the legal system in order to
eliminate the inequality
• Freedom of an individual over the
private property on the basis of
equality.
 SHEILA JEFFREY

Sheila Jeffrey was born on October 6,

1955. She is a British academic and
author known for her work in the fields of
feminist theory and women's studies. Her
research often focuses on issues related
to gender, sexuality, and the social
sciences. If you’re looking for more
specific information about her work or
contributions, let me know!
XII. SEPARATIST FEMINISM

• Feminism enables women to take

interest in other women.
• Creates new space and dialogue in
women's relationship, and limits them
from dealing with men.
 MARILYN FRYE

Marilyn Frye (November 29, 1941 –

September 9, 2021) was an American
feminist philosopher known for her essays
on oppression, including the influential
"birdcage" metaphor, which illustrates how
intersecting forms of discrimination create
barriers to freedom.
 XIII. ECO-FEMINISM

1974

• Social and political movement that deals

with the existence of environmentalism
and feminism.
• Changing the attitude of the society
towards productivity and activity of both
women and nature.
 FRANCOISE D’
EAUBONNE
Françoise d' Eaubonne (1920–2004)
was a French feminist and writer known
for her work in ecofeminism. Her key text,
"Le Féminisme ou la Mort" (Feminism or
Death), published in 1974, links the
oppression of women with environmental
exploitation, advocating for both feminist
and ecological reforms.
 XIV. DIFFERENCE FEMINISM

19th century

• Deals with differences between the sexes

such as biological, emotional, sociological or
spiritual.
• Feminism that reverses gender polarity that is
women are superior to men.
• Integral gender complementarity discusses
that when men and women are integrated
 XV. BLACK FEMINISM

1974

• Liberation of black women from all oppressions

• Women's liberation as a strategy that unites
women, men and children in which women have
to struggle against injustice because of
oppression.
PATRICIA HILL COLLINS

Patricia Hill Collins was born on May 1,

1948. She is renowned for her work in
Black feminist thought and
intersectionality, with her influential book
"Black Feminist Thought" highlighting the
intersections of race, gender, and class.
GENDER IDEOLOGY
AND GENDER
INEQUALITY
GENDER IDEOLOGY

“Gender Inequality” for feminism focuses

on the rights and freedoms for women and
girls of all ages in the society. Feminist
groups claimed that human rights they
inherent is traditional bias in favor of men
and boys. The concepts of women’s rights
is not only focused on marital, parental,
and religious rights but also to enter to
legal contracts, own property, right to
suffrage, be educated, hold public office,
fair wages and equal work opportunities for
women.
GENDER IDEOLOGY

"Gender ideology" refers to societal

beliefs about gender roles, often
positioning women as inferior to men. It
includes expectations of masculine and
feminine behaviors. This concept differs
from biological sex (physical attributes)
and gender orientation (individual
expression of gender identity)