PHIL 242 Lecture Notes - Gloria Steinem, The Feminine Mystique, Bell Hooks

• School: McGill University
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHIL 242
• Professor: Zoli Filotas

Document Summary

Phil 242 - black women: shaping feminist theory . Important moments in the history of american feminism (up to 1984) Betty friedan"s the feminine mystique (1963) raises political questions about housework, childcare, and other stereotypically feminine things. Consciousness raising groups arise in new york and throughout the country. Institution of women"s studies programs in american universities (first accredited women"s studies course at cornell in 1969). Appearance and rise of feminist celebrities: gloria steinem, etc. Many feminists in the 1980s saw this as clear, unambiguous progress. Hooks argues that the story is much much more mixed, and suggests a different way to think about the goals of feminism. All women are oppressed, suffering cannot be measured . Considers these definitions against a simple definition of oppression: being oppressed means the absence of choices. The less amount of choices leads to more oppression.