defining feminism

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Definition of Feminism

Definition of Feminism

Broadly feminism refers to the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.

Sometimes when spelt with a capital ‘F” feminism refers to an organized movement for the attainment of such rights for women.

However we need to look at the context of feminist movements to gain a more precise definition of the term.

ContextContext

• Feminism describes not only a philosophy but a cultural, societal and political movement.

• In its narrow political sense, feminism is the struggle to achieve institutional and economic equality between men and women.

• But understanding that equality is influenced by both the cultural and the sociological context.

Perkins. A., Politics. ABC Books.

The position of women

The position of women

• Modern scholars argue that the position of women has been questioned ever since political theory was taken away from the patriarchal Church.

• Others would argue that the position of women has been questioned for much longer

• WHAT DOES THIS CARTOON SUGGEST ABOUT THE ISSUE?

Patriarchal refers to an organisation in which males are

in charge. In this case it refers to the male dominated church.

Some background...Some background...

• In 1850 women were thought of as second class citizens.

• People believed women were inferior to men – physically and mentally.

• Women were paid less than men, and tended to do less skilled work. They were excluded from many professions and it was thought that ‘a woman’s place is in the home’. Those professions in which they were welcome were those that reflected home duties such as primary education and nursing

• Women were not allowed to vote in general elections. Reasons for this included:

• Women would lose their femininity in politics.

• Women weren’t well educated enough to vote.

• If women became involved in politics the home would suffer.

• Women were too emotional to handle the responsibility of the vote.

WHAT DOES THIS CARTOON SUGGEST ABOUT THE ISSUE? Are there any terms that need defining?

Progress was made from 1850 onwards as women gained educational, civil and

some political equality

Progress was made from 1850 onwards as women gained educational, civil and

some political equality

Politically

1869 – Municipal Franchise Act gave single women the right to vote in local elections.

1870-1894 – women are allowed to be elected to school boards, poor law guardianship, parish and district councils.

1870 - Married Women’s Property Acts meant husbands no longer owned their property. Women were able to sue for desertion without going to the workhouse.

Education and Work

1870 Education Act ( 1872 Scotland) assured girls the same basic education as boys.

1876 Medical schools opened their doors to women and in 1878 London university opened all its degrees to women.

Better education gave women more employment opportunities in civil service, post office and private business.

1860 Nightingale School of Nursing helped make nursing a proper profession.

1888 Match Girls Strike – women won better working conditions.

Surely women would get the

vote in all elections soon?

NO. With a vastly improved education

and some relaxation on

access to work came the

realisation that it was the right to

vote, or suffrage, in all elections

which was the key to universal

equality.

It was also this right that

institutions and governments were least willing to give

up.

A struggle would result in which

women would die.

Universal Suffrage is another term for this right in all elections

Those who would take part in the struggle would be known as

either Suffragists or Suffragettes

BUT FIRST!!! Are you a Suffragist or a Suffragette?

Complete this questionnaire and find out

BUT FIRST!!! Are you a Suffragist or a Suffragette?

Complete this questionnaire and find out

Read these descriptions of the main suffrage groups of the period.

Look back to the questionnaire and work out which options match this group.

Read these descriptions of the main suffrage groups of the period.

Look back to the questionnaire and work out which options match this group.

Suffragists - National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies.

Established 1897 by Millicent Fawcett.

Methods

Peaceful protest.

Petitions to parliament

E.g. 1910 presented petition with 250,000 signatures in favour of female suffrage.

Propaganda:

• Newspaper ‘The Suffragist’. Leaflets etc. In 1913 spend £45,000 on publicity.

WHAT ARE SUFFRAGISTS SAYING ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR TACTICS ON THE

FRONT PAGE ON THIS EDITION OF THEIR NEWSPAPER?

Hint: the first person (Robert Peary) to reach the North Pole did

so on 6/4/1909.

The Suffragettes – Women’s Social and Political Union – 1903

Founded by Emmeline Pankhurst

Motto ‘deeds not words’.

Methods

Believed in using militancy to gain the vote.

Gained publicity through propaganda, leaflets, newspapers, marches and demonstrations.

Series of 6 meetings in 1908 attracted more than 25,000 women to attend.

1908 Demonstration Hyde Park – £1,000 spent on publicity.

BEFORE LOOKING AT THE DESCRIPTION WHAT IS THIS

CARTOON SAYING ABOUT SUFFRAGETTES THEIR TACTICS?

SO!!! Which are you? Suffragist or Suffragette?

TROUBLE IN THE RANKS

TROUBLE IN THE RANKS

There was tension between the two groups. Both saw the other as ineffective. See how this cartoon of the time reflects the problem.

Can you identify the two suffrage groups?

What was the government doing?

• In short... Nothing.

• In 1905 when the issue was at crisis point it was finally put on the agenda in Parliament.

• On the day of the debate Parliament spent hours discussing the issue of car tail lights. It was a ploy designed so they wouldn’t have time discuss the next issue on the agenda – votes for women.