bell hooks

"The Significance of Feminist Movement," written by bell hooks, was the most interesting and straightforward piece from our Feminist section. When reading the introduction to this piece, I was fascinated by bell hooks and the issues regarding her name, and her brief history. hooks, seemed to be, unlike any other writer from this section. She was almost condescending toward the early feminists. She believed that they placed too large of an emphasis on male domination, rather than the female fight for equality. hooks felt that by focusing on men and the manner in which they oppressed women, the feminists were rapidly changing the fight, to a war of the sexes. Men were not being regarded as the enemy. This was an interesting approach to writing about the feminist movement. When we think of the fight for gender equality, the women usually seem entirely brave and we typically feel, that they should only be commended for their diligent work. Though the feminists were extremely important and did many great things, they did make mistakes. hooks felt that a different approach to the feminist movement would have led to greater results, faster. Fighting society's inherent beliefs, rather than standing opposed to men, may have been a better way to approach the Feminist movement.
"The Significance of Feminist Movement," by bell hooks was a very interesting read, and was very different from the other passages that we have read in this Feminist section of our text. bell hooks was obviously, an extremely intelligent woman, who was more worried about the fight for equality, rather than making her name famous. The content of her work was most important, and hopefully, influenced many women in the continuing feminist movement.

Carol Gilligan

The excerpt, “Woman’s Place in Man’s Life Cycle” from the novel In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women’s Development by Carol Gilligan, was more unique than the other readings from this feminism unit, so far. Gilligan’s more scientific approach to the differences between males and females was surprisingly, fascinating to read. In “Women’s Place in Man’s Life Cycle,” Gilligan not only focused on feminism, where women belong in today’s society, but also on the emotions and behavioral differences of boys and girls. Basing her work on studies done by fellow researchers, Gilligan evaluated the approach that women and men take toward relationships, and the subsequent reasoning for the drastic differences in their approach. Men, from a young age, were more focused on competition than women. Their ability to play a competitive sport or game, without trying to hurt another person’s feelings, or wound their pride, allowed their relationships with friends to be more stable, less deeply rooted. Women, rather than following through with the planned game or event, did not want to continue arguing over something. Instead, they chose to simply, back down from the
major conflict and move on to something else. Women, therefore, had greater problems keeping close friendships, because of the dishonest nature of the women involved. “Woman’s Place in Man’s Life Cycle,” was unlike anything that we have read yet in the feminism section of our text. It allowed the reader to get an in-depth look at the different ways that women today, are hopefully, utilizing constant change that was once not within existence, and moving forward in the world.