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Social Work and Feminist Theory

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Social Work and Feminist Theory
Waves = movement * Reference points * Come and go; something causes it * Helps and hinders ****Time reference = "too western"

1st wave (1896 to 1920s) * women's right to vote * economic and political equity
**racial history as well
Dramatic increase in women working... 2nd wave (1950's to 1980's) * civil rights empowered women, especially women of color civil rights welcomed women... * sexuality * Kinsey report * Forced sterilization * Female mutilation * Women's health issues * Freud * Family * Traditional; nuclear ---> 2nd wave criticized this * Rise of critical analysis of family dynamics * Workplace * Women were a great part of the work force during WW2 * Roles and characteristics assigned to genders are socially constructed * Legal inequalities * Property ownership * Business, housing * Divorce * Abortion laws * Family laws * Sexual assault laws * Rule of thumb * reproduction rights * Pill * Abortion * It's the husband/man who gets to decide whether to keep baby or not * Women’s voices presented as ‘the other’ in relation to men * 1950's "decade of the housewife" * Huge propaganda * Men want their jobs back * Personal is political slogan * The ‘sisterhood’ of the 2nd wave seen as a façade, why?
Interesting disconnect between 2nd wave and 3rd wave * What was achieved? Pay equity, employment, sexual assault laws, reproductive rights (pill, abortion), political and social supports, organizations, women’s health care, rape crisis centers, transitions houses and divorce law 3rd wave 1990 to present * Arose out of backlash of 2nd wave * Men-haters, bra-burners * Identity

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