Feminist Theories By: Alysha Kurz, Tracy Ochs, Becky Kuhlow, and Jeremiah Tetzlaff Tuesday 5:30 10/28/08

Feminist Theory Attempt to revise/reformulate/rethink aspects of traditional western ethics that devalue women’s moral experience

History of Feminism in USA Women’s Suffrage – First action to increase women’s power – Major leader was Susan B Anthony – Fought and got women’s ability to vote Government’s Empowerment – Pushed for more women working – National Icon “Rosie the Riveter” Feminist movement during – Fought inequalities in law and culture – Viewed as a failure Feminist movement during 1990-Present – Caused by failure of first movement – Fights against same inequalities

A Leader of Theory

Alison Jaggar Found 5 ways traditional western ethics don’t help women – 1) Little concern for women’s interest and rights – 2) Dismiss the private world or home life – 3) Women aren’t developed morally as men – 4) Overvalues men’s cultural traits – 5) Favors masculine ways of reasoning

A Leader of Theory

Carol Gilligan Stresses that traditional western moral theories Response to Freudian notion Women’s moral difference from men

Founder of “Difference Feminism” Believe men and women think/act differently

Gilligan’s Stages StageGoal Pre-conventionalGoal is individual survival ConventionalSelf sacrifice is goodness Post-ConventionalPrinciple of nonviolence: do not hurt others or self

Criticisms of Carol Gilligan Christian Hoff Sommers – Failed to produce data – Gilligan used anecdotal evidence – Unable to duplicate work – Sample was too small – Tests on Gender Studies by other fields

Ethical Dilemmas of Today Abortion Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Abortion Does the woman have ethical obligations to the fetus? Is it ethical to force a woman to carry a pregnancy to term? Does the woman have ethical obligations to the father? Is it ethical to give birth to an unwanted child?

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Definition Sexualized environments Evolution of treatment of women in the workplace Examples of sexual harassment situations – Women in the military – Anita Hill Vs. Clarence Thomas

Criticism of Feminism Theory of Caring Caring is case by case – Destroys Ethical system Based on women’s experiences and tendencies – Feminist criticize other theories are male based

Review Name the leaders. What are Gilligan’s three stages of moral development? How many faults did Jaggar find in western ethics?

Thank You For Your Time Feminist Theory