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topic 22.3

Unit 22 :
Feminism

 Intermediate

Summary

To establish equal opportunities for women in all aspects of society.

topic 22.2

What is the importance of feminism?

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Vocabulary

Repeat these words/ phrases after your teacher.

  • entitled (v)
  • rectify (v)
  • subjugation (n)
  • feminism (n)
  • solidarity (n)
  • sexism (n)
  • caste (n)
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Dialogue 1

Read the dialogue aloud with your teacher.

Berly

Beverly

Hey. Do you guys get a half-day off for women on International Women’s Day?

Nope! It’s a regular work day for us. Why? Do women get time off in China?

Yup! Of course, not all women take the time off but they are entitled to it under law.

Interesting. I think we mostly just have rallies and conferences. Speaking of which, I’m attending a talk on sexism and feminism in the workplace today if you want to come along.
Why not? I’ve actually been reading up on gender equality and the pay gap issue. Apparently, some sources say women earn about 20% less than their male counterparts in the U.S.

Yeah, I heard about that. A lot of companies are trying to rectify that but there is still a glass ceiling,especially for female executives.

Agreed. But I do think that some of the male dominated industries are trying to be more inclusive, The me too movement has forced a lot of companies to step up.

Yeah, that’s definitely something I wish our company would work a little harder on.

Man! Don’t even get me started!

 

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Let’s practice

Word Definition

  1. To set right

     a. Clarify     b. Rectify      c. modify

2. The action of bringing someone under control

     a. Pacify         b. Integrate      c. subjugation

3. Advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes

     a. Sexism      b. Lesbianism          c. Feminism

 

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Article

Read the article with your teacher.

Defining Feminism

The global idea of feminism refers to the belief that men and women deserve equality in all opportunities, treatment, respect, and social rights. In general, feminists are people who try to acknowledge social inequality based on gender and stop it from continuing. Feminists point out that in most cultures throughout history men have received more opportunities than women.

Let’s cover four of those types now – radical feminism, socialist feminism, cultural feminism, and liberal feminism. 

1.Radical Feminism-Radical feminism views patriarchy and sexism as the most elemental factor in women’s oppression – cutting across all others from race and age to culture, caste and class. It questions the very system and ideology behind women’s subjugation. The term often refers to the women’s movements emerging from the civil rights, peace and other liberation movements at a time when people increasingly were questioning different forms of oppression and power. Radical feminists, seeking to understand the roots of women’s subordination, have provided the major theoretical understanding that has served as the basis for the inspiration and analysis guiding women’s movements around the world. 

2.Marxist and Socialist Feminism- Feminists, grounded in Marxist and socialist analysis, attribute women’s oppression principally to the capitalist economic system where global corporate power prevails. Many other feminists believe that this form of power seen in the class system is a crucial factor in women’s subordination but see patriarchy as the major force behind women’s subjugation Socialist Feminism

3.Cultural Feminism- Cultural feminism emphasizes essential differences between men and women in terms of biology, personality and behavior. Women are seen to have different and superior virtues that provide the foundation for a shared identity, solidarity and sisterhood. Since by nature women are viewed as kinder and gentler than men, it follows that if women were in power, the world would be a better place. In the 1960s and 70s, some women supported the idea of forming separate women-only cultures. 

4.Liberal Feminism-This kind of feminism works within the structure of mainstream society to integrate women into it and make it more responsive to individual women’s rights, but does not directly challenge the system itself or the ideology behind women’s oppression. The suffragist movement is an example.

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Let’s Practice

Choose the correct answer.

  1. What type of feminist emphasizes essential differences between men and women in terms of biology, personality and behavior.

     a. Liberal

     b. Socialist

     c. Cultural

    d. Radical

2.   views patriarchy and sexism as the most elemental factor in women’s oppression – cutting across all others from race and age to culture, caste and class  

     a. Radical

     b. Liberal

     c. socialist 

    d. Capitalist

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Discussion:

Share your idea with your teacher. Try to make sentences.

  1. What is the main source of female oppression?
  2. Are women discriminated against nowadays? Why?
  3. Do you think that women are more capable of doing all jobs than men do?