Feminist Theory Essays (Examples)

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(Wood 70 -- 73)
The information from this source is useful, because it provides insights as to how feminist theory would evolve, based upon political and social issues at the time. Where, these views will be included in feminist thinking; helping to provide a unique way of understanding the world around us. In this aspect, the information that was provided can utilized, with the other theories to instill an appreciation, in how the changes in social views will have on impact upon feminist thinking.

Genz, Stephanie. "Postmodern Feminism." Post Modern Feminism. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University, 2009. 104 -- 124. Print.

Post modern feminists were influenced based upon the more liberalized views that would take shape in the decades after the 1960's. As many groups felt that the more extreme radical views would not help to instill the common emotions felt by women. This meant that they wanted to have their rights respect, while….

This idea is referred to as bifurcated consciousness and "is concerned with the disconnection between a women's life as a women, or a women's lived experience, and the objective abstracted, theoretical world in which she must operate as a public person," (Boyle 7).
Dorothy Smith's "central concept to bifurcated consciousness illustrates how phronesis is considered a second tier or subordinate form of wisdom, for it the kind of wisdom, according to Smith, at which women excel," (Boyle 7). It represents the highlighted struggle which each women faces, similar to the veil of double consciousness proposed by .E.B. Du Bois. Each female must struggle to make sense of their own experience of the world when they are told that they must exist in a much different reality than they are natural in. Bifurcated consciousness represents a world split in two. The external world forces itself to be superior over the internal….

Feminist Theory
The profession of nursing and feminism go hand in hand ever since the theory was introduced. The correlation was as such due to the close link between women and nursing. Nursing has always been considered a very feminine profession. No one really pictures a man when they think of a nurse. There are many beliefs and assumptions that have come out ever since the theory had been stated. The assumptions of the theory are very simple and clear cut. One of the major assumptions of this theory is that women are oppressed. Surely, there has to be an underlying cause for a theory to come forward or for people to speak against. Another assumption is that the theory must be directed towards the normality, centrality and the relevance of women's experience. A major assumption is that gender is socially constructed. Even though many theorists go on to think….

Critical feminist theory cuts both ways. On the one hand, people are less likely to believe that women have committed a violent crime. On the other hand, when there is indisputable evidence that a woman has committed a violent crime, she is more likely to get a severe sentence than a man who has committed as similar crime. The most dramatic examples of this occur when parents kill their children. Just about every day in this country a father kills his child. hile tragic, those crimes do not register on the national radar. In contrast, when a woman kills her child, it goes against that inherent connectedness to others that women are supposed to have. Therefore, there is a national uproar about those incidents. As a result, women who kill their children receive heavier penalties for their crimes, even though men are much more likely to kill their children.
orks….

Feminist Theory According to Charlotte Bunch
Author Bunch feels feminism is more important to women than ever before, and that feminists often give up the fight for a number of reasons. She writes, "When feminists despair, burn out, or give up, it is often because the forces against us are strong and because our theoretical framework does not give us a sense of how individual activities contribute to significant victories in the future" (Bunch 12). Bunch's ideas of "irreverent theorizing" seem just like what Hooks was fighting so desperately against, until Bunch "became aware of the critical role of theory in the movement" (Bunch 12). Thus, Bunch helps build on Hooks' theories, and adds some information of her own, including the functions of feminist theory, which she believes ultimately will "aid the liberation of women" (Bunch 13). She continues, "Feminist theory, therefore, is not an unengaged study of women. It is….

Bell Hooks Argues Feminist Theory is a Social Practice
Bell Hooks argues that feminist theory is a social practice for a number of reasons, including the pain of her childhood, which she believes led her to look toward theories as answers for her problems. She believes that much of the accepted and legitimized feminist theory has developed from white men and women, and much of the theory thus developed by others has been rejected by academia. She notes, "Work by women of color and marginalized groups of white women (for example, lesbians, sex radicals), especially if written in a manner that renders it accessible to a broad reading public, is often de-legitimized in academic settings, even if that work enables and promotes feminist practice" (Hooks 38). In addition, she cites other authors who show that there are different levels of theory in different locations; this indicating theory can deviate depending….

George Eliot
Kristeva's philosophy can be applied to nearly every narrative especially in association with the body as a universal source of human language. In every narrative there are traces of description that help the reader understand the universal stance of the body, be it a description of a facial expression or the full description of a character based upon the description of his or her appearance. Eliot makes clear through her character descriptions that the body is the universal symbol of the person as all beings are objects exhibiting behavior within a certain context of their person. One quote from Amos Barton is especially telling of both the conservative context of Eliot's writing and the universal reliance on the abject body as a symbol of the whole being:

No,' said Mr. Hackit, who was fond of soothing the acerbities of the feminine mind with a jocose compliment, 'you held your petticoats….

Behind Closed Doors: Domestic Violence
The documentary Behind Closed Doors depicts several cases of domestic violence. In all of the anecdotes, women struggle to leave their abusive partners but due to personal and legal factors this is challenging. Some of the women are still in love with their abusers and return to them, despite the pervasive pattern of violence in the couple’s life together. Other times, even when men are constrained by the legal system, the men’s punishments are relatively minor, such as a sentence of only two months in prison. Coercive Control Theory helps to better explain some of the women’s seemingly inexplicable behavior, namely the idea that women’s disempowerment in society causes them to believe that their lives mean nothing unless they are attached to a male figure (Arnold 2009). Domestic violence is an assertion of male power and masculinity, according to the theory, not simply personal acts of….

Is Feminist Theory an Independent Social Theory?IntroductionAs itzer (2011) notes, a starting point of agreement among nearly all varieties of feminist theory is an understanding of gender as a social construction, something not emanating from nature but created by people as part of the processes of group life (p. 455). This is an important point because it provides the framework or underlying fundamental principle of feminist theory: it is a critical response to traditional concepts of gender, advanced by the revolutionary framework of feminist thinkers and activists like Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem (The Feminine Mystique and Ms. Magazine, respectively). Without the existence of traditional religious and cultural-based (i.e., Christian, Jewish, Muslim, East-Asian) values regarding gender, feminist theory would not exist, as it is a reaction to and often an attack on traditional views of gender. Today, for example, adherents of feminist theory position themselves against so-called conservatives who would….

Introduction The Central Question
How important is it that IR (International Relations) scholars reflect on the relationship between power and knowledge? From a feminist theory perspective, it is critical for IR scholars to highlight the relationship between power and knowledge in order to uncover the gender dynamics of power and knowledge in an IR setting. Feminism is more than simply a theory about women—it also provides a framework for understanding gender and gender constructs and how these constructs impact international relations.[footnoteRef:2] In order for IR scholars to excel in their work and more fully understand the parameters of IR, they have to be attentive to the socio-political implications of the political structures within which they work. [2: Christine Sylvester, “The Contributions of Feminist Theory to International Relations,” International Theory: positivism and beyond (1996), 254.]
Key Terms
Feminist IR theory proceeds from Critical theory, which is based on past fundamentally disruptive theories like Marxism in order….

As such, she fails to address the central problem of feminism in the Pontellier perspective, namely the impossibility of female individuality and independence in a patriarchal world. It is only in isolation that Edna can find any happiness, and she must make this isolation more and more complete in order to maintain her happiness, as the patriarchy has a means of encroaching on all populated areas, and Wollstonecraft's feminism does not offer an alternative to this need to escape humanity.
A final snort of disgust might be distinctly heard from Edna Pontellier upon her reading of this line of Wollstonecraft's, afterwards she might likely have flung the text aside (or into the fireplace, depending on the season): "Pleasure is the business of woman's life, according to the present modification of society" (ch. 4, par. 10). What Wollstonecraft means is that women are thought to be so fragile, so emotional, and….

Feminist Thought
Bristor, J.. & Fischer, E. (1993). Feminist thought: Implications for consumer research. The journal of consumer research,19(4), 518-536.

Bristor and Fischer (1993) suggest that consumer research has long misrepresented women and that, because of the distortion of thoughts, it is up to feminist theorists to reorganize and critique consumer research in order to make sense of the way that it has been gendered. By attempting to reappraise and revise, a difficult task given that many perspectives that are biased are unconscious, a newfound sensitivity and fairness can be applied to consumer research theory in regards to the representation of women. The article, in shedding light on the issue, summarizes some of the major areas of feminist thought and then uses that information in order to locate biases that live deep within the major understandings of science.

ethodology: Bristor and Fischer (1993) apply three unique feminist perspectives to assess scientific objectivity and….

Interestingly, the Politics of Passion proves that just the opposite is true. Women who reject traditional paradigms also reject Western idealisms about sexuality, marriage, families, desire and identity. Through their sexual activities, the mati women described by Wekker embody each of these elements, and liberate themselves sexuality, which in turn leads to greater power, greater autonomy and greater independence. Women are encouraged in this environment to rely on their own instincts, knowledge and expertise to do what they feel is best for them. They are encouraged, contrary to what most women experience, to do what makes them feel good. In this way they escape the chains that bind and subordinate many women living in other cultures who are brought up to believe gender distinctions exist and women have certain responsibilities and places.
If one were to adopt the mati perspective and apply it to their life, they would find that….

" Cultural and social differences, then, between men and women are not so much reflections of differing social roles and expectations as they are reflections of basic genetic differences between men and women..." (Groenhout 51)
3.1. The family

To understand this criticism of feminism and the reaction to the attack on female domesticity, one has to know something about the background that initiated this reaction. This refers especially to the view of the family as a valued institution central to the structure of society that is in decline throughout the world.

A number or critics note how the feminist view and the "new" role of women in society has negatively affected the family. This has resulted as well in many feminists turning against the more radical views of feminism as they feel that they endanger the integrity of the family and family life. As one critic notes, "From the early days of….

Children's Literature Research
The Changing Representation of Female Characters and Feminist Heroines in Children's Literature from Baum to Montgomery
Introduction
Once children can read, they are cast into the literature world – characters, themes, settings, and plots. Children's literature brings concepts like friendship, nature, education, discovery, religion, and the structure and operation of society so that the child feels connected to the material. Some have argued that children's literature only comes to existence when it can portray child or child-like characters or appeal to the child's point of view (Grenby, 2007, p.277). children's literature has a long, global history that originates in the traditional and folk oral tales. In Britain, children's books can be traced back to the eighteenth century, with such classics as John Newbery's A Little Pretty Pocket-Book (1744). In the nineteenth century, children's books formed a distinguishable genre within the literary world. Expansion of children's literature to the international level….

Before you can tackle any type of analysis through a specific lens, it is important to make sure that you thoroughly understand that lens.  Marxism-Feminism attempts to tackle some of the underlying weaknesses in both Marxist theory and feminist theory, because Marxism fails to address some of the gender issues that impact class and feminist theory fails to address some of the class issues that impact gender.  Because of how class and gender intersect in The Handmaid’s Tale, it is a perfect piece for analysis through this particular lens,

The sexism in The....

Here are some essay topics that explore different aspects of feminism:

1. The history of feminism and its impact on society
2. Intersectionality in feminism: How race, class, and sexuality intersect with gender in feminist movements
3. The portrayal of feminism in popular culture and media
4. The role of men in feminism and the importance of male allies
5. Feminist theory and its relevance in today's political and social climate
6. The challenges facing the feminist movement in the 21st century
7. Feminist perspectives on reproductive rights and bodily autonomy
8. The impact of globalization on women's rights and feminist movements worldwide
9. The relationship between feminism and....

Essay Topic 1: The Evolution of Feminist Thought: From Suffrage to Intersectionality

Trace the historical trajectory of feminist thought, from the early suffrage movement to contemporary intersectional feminism.
Analyze the shifting definitions and goals of feminism over time.
Examine the impact of social, political, and economic factors on feminist ideologies.

Essay Topic 2: The Intersectionality of Feminism: Identity, Power, and Oppression

Explore the concept of intersectionality and its significance within feminist theory.
Discuss how race, gender, class, sexuality, and other identities intersect to create unique experiences of oppression and empowerment.
Analyze the ways in which intersectionality challenges dominant feminist narratives and....

Concise and Descriptive Titles:

Feminism: A Historical and Contemporary Perspective
The Evolution of Feminism: From Suffrage toIntersectionality
Feminism in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities
The Impact of Feminism on Society: Empowerment and Equality

Titles Emphasizing Specific Aspects of Feminism:

The Intersectional Nature of Feminism: Beyond Gender to Inclusivity
Feminism and Social Justice: Intersectionality in Practice
Feminist Theory: Key Concepts and Controversies
The Role of Feminism in Resisting Oppression: A Call for Action

Titles with a Personal Touch:

My Feminist Journey: Navigating the Challenges and Embracing the Power
The Feminism I Believe In: A Personal Reflection on Values and Goals
Feminism and....

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4 Pages
Research Paper

Sports - Women

Feminist Theory Over the Last

Words: 1232
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Research Paper

(Wood 70 -- 73) The information from this source is useful, because it provides insights as to how feminist theory would evolve, based upon political and social issues at…

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2 Pages
Term Paper

Sports - Women

Feminist Theory Feminist Criminology Recently

Words: 637
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Term Paper

This idea is referred to as bifurcated consciousness and "is concerned with the disconnection between a women's life as a women, or a women's lived experience, and the…

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5 Pages
Essay

Health - Nursing

Feminist Theory the Profession of Nursing and

Words: 1601
Length: 5 Pages
Type: Essay

Feminist Theory The profession of nursing and feminism go hand in hand ever since the theory was introduced. The correlation was as such due to the close link between…

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1 Pages
Term Paper

Sports - Women

Feminist Theory Differs From Other

Words: 364
Length: 1 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Critical feminist theory cuts both ways. On the one hand, people are less likely to believe that women have committed a violent crime. On the other hand, when…

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1 Pages
Term Paper

Sports - Women

What Was the Need and Model for Feminist Theory According to Charlotte Bunch

Words: 360
Length: 1 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Feminist Theory According to Charlotte Bunch Author Bunch feels feminism is more important to women than ever before, and that feminists often give up the fight for a number of…

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1 Pages
Term Paper

Sports - Women

Why Bell Hooks Argues That Feminist Theory Is a Social Practice

Words: 362
Length: 1 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Bell Hooks Argues Feminist Theory is a Social Practice Bell Hooks argues that feminist theory is a social practice for a number of reasons, including the pain of her…

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15 Pages
Term Paper

Sports - Women

Eliot and Feminist Theory Theories

Words: 6196
Length: 15 Pages
Type: Term Paper

George Eliot Kristeva's philosophy can be applied to nearly every narrative especially in association with the body as a universal source of human language. In every narrative there are traces…

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1 Pages
Essay

Women - Gender / Society

Theories of Domestic Violence

Words: 375
Length: 1 Pages
Type: Essay

Behind Closed Doors: Domestic Violence The documentary Behind Closed Doors depicts several cases of domestic violence. In all of the anecdotes, women struggle to leave their abusive partners but due…

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8 Pages
Term Paper

Sociology

Feminist Theory a Reaction to Tradition

Words: 2413
Length: 8 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Is Feminist Theory an Independent Social Theory?IntroductionAs itzer (2011) notes, a starting point of agreement among nearly all varieties of feminist theory is an understanding of gender as a…

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6 Pages
Essay

Feminism / Feminists

Feminist Theory and International Relations

Words: 1727
Length: 6 Pages
Type: Essay

Introduction The Central Question How important is it that IR (International Relations) scholars reflect on the relationship between power and knowledge? From a feminist theory perspective, it is critical for IR…

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9 Pages
Term Paper

Sports - Women

Feminist Reading Two Models of

Words: 2840
Length: 9 Pages
Type: Term Paper

As such, she fails to address the central problem of feminism in the Pontellier perspective, namely the impossibility of female individuality and independence in a patriarchal world. It…

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2 Pages
Case Study

Sports - Women

Feminist Thought Bristor J M & Fischer E

Words: 508
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Case Study

Feminist Thought Bristor, J.. & Fischer, E. (1993). Feminist thought: Implications for consumer research. The journal of consumer research,19(4), 518-536. Bristor and Fischer (1993) suggest that consumer research has long misrepresented…

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5 Pages
Term Paper

Sports - Women

Feminist Diversity Women's Liberation With

Words: 1428
Length: 5 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Interestingly, the Politics of Passion proves that just the opposite is true. Women who reject traditional paradigms also reject Western idealisms about sexuality, marriage, families, desire and identity.…

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8 Pages
Thesis

Sports - Women

Feminist Point Critique of Feminism

Words: 2882
Length: 8 Pages
Type: Thesis

" Cultural and social differences, then, between men and women are not so much reflections of differing social roles and expectations as they are reflections of basic genetic…

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7 Pages
Essay

Feminism / Feminists

Feminist Heroines in Children's Literature from Baum to Montgomery

Words: 2243
Length: 7 Pages
Type: Essay

Children's Literature Research The Changing Representation of Female Characters and Feminist Heroines in Children's Literature from Baum to Montgomery Introduction Once children can read, they are cast into the literature world –…

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