CRIM 338 Chapter Notes - Chapter 14: Difference Feminism, Feminist Legal Theory, Liberal Feminism
2 Mar 2019
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Feminists do not speak w/ single voice. Recent advances in difference feminism share number of elements, concerns, theoretical approaches w/ american critical race theory . In particular, share uneasiness w/ dominance of white men. Early opposition to subordination of women founded on notion that women were rational. Early feminism did not pursue right of political equality that came to dominant philosophy. Liberal feminists - contend that equality of women as rational beings entails single, undifferentiated, gender-neutral conception of citizenship. Other feminists - regard claim of human rationality as neglecting social & biological differences b/w sexes. Rationality - is itself gendered claim that, rather than embodying universal truth, merely expresses idea of enlightenment philosophy. Dread of essentialism generated expression of highly personal accounts by women on experience of subordination. At least 4 major strands of feminist thought may be identified. At heart of liberalism - importance of indiv rights, both civil & political.
