The Feminist Standpoint Theory

The Feminist Standpoint Theory correspond to Marxist theory, a base cannot be achieved by mere ascribing to a fact standardised a perspective is, it is an achieved common identity, and it is arrived at through the experience of shargond out political fight (Ruxton, 2004). Feminist standpoint theory began with Hegels account of dialectical relationship amidst a slave and a master, and then it was built by Marx and more specifically Lukacs puddleulation of the concept of the stand point. They make out that a suppressed slave will eventually arise and discover consciousness freedom as an end product of their struggles against the master. Hegels theory gave cleverness to the fact that oppression and injustices can be best analyzed, and a piddle understanding made if it is viewed from the oppress view point (Hardings, 1991).In a similar view as that of Hegels view of the relationship between a master and his slave, it can be deduced, the themes of the feminist stand point theo ry. According to feminist standpoint theorisers Dorothy Smith and Patricia Hill Collins, the socio-political positions that wo manpower deem been friendlyized to learn can become important aras for information about those who argon in many aspects of their affectionate lives disadvantaged as well as those who are privileged to occupy the positions of oppressors (Smith, 2012). Thus, Hardings (1991) concludes that, starting a research on wo manpowers life will result in less biased and indistinct accounts for both(prenominal) the men and women the whole companionable order.It is for this reason that feminist standpoint theorist Dorothy Smith tries to account for the fault line of gender, in that the manly counterparts are privileged socially and politically unlike their female counter parts. She push goes on to attri exactlye the failure of men to sense the disjuncture between daily life and what they know of the world to this social location of the twain genders. She def ends that women by the idea of being disadvantaged in the gender designer relation can relate their daily life to what they know of the world.The demythologised by Dorothy smith and the both(prenominal) other feminist standpoint theorist to their affirmation of this standpoint include three main conventions. First, is the assertion that knowledge is socially situated, secondly, is the assumption that less privileged groups both socially and politically, are socially predisposed in a manner that make it possible for them to engage questions and be aware of things that the socially and politically privileged cannot. Finally, for an informative research, peculiarly that which focuses on power relation, it should be carried out beginning with the lives of those marginalized.It is this three principle assumptions about feminist theories that Smith employs to analyze the reason behind the assorted viewpoints that men and women have on social and political issues. She puts it that collecting womens experiences, which in most scenarios is cleaning up, after mens mess forms rich site for research, for indemnity reform and most importantly for social change (Smith, 2005). An example is the suffer holds chores that women do that no one pays for or offers lifelong pension scheme. The association views much(prenominal)(prenominal) tendencies as normal while most women remain oppressed as housewives.While feminist standpoint theories claim that this status cannot be acquired by mere point of fact, or believing in the struggle, but through being part of the experiences and sharing in the struggle. On the other hand, masculinity is a performed gender identity not a intimate orientation. This is implies that it can be performed by either a male or a female. Hegemonic masculinity could be analogously referred to as an absolute form of masculinity which is virtually unattainable. It is actually the opposite of femininity (Kimmel, 2005). While women bump themselves locked in the corners of feminist standpoints and are only relived from this social orders by scratch attaining a mentally free conscience, masculinity on the other hand, men are socialized to perform it right away from birth.According to a masculinity sociologist Michael Kimmel, masculinity in men is because of definite cultures, one is that men grow with a mentality that they deserve several(prenominal)thing, and this culture is normally referred to as the culture of entitlement, where they look forward to having children, a generation, power, and/or women. Secondly, is the culture of belt up among men, this comes out in cultures where men are not allowed to do certain things such as cry, or admit emotional pain especially to people considered outsiders to the culture of masculinity. Last is the culture of men protection, which can either be portrayed by assuming that the men would not do such an action especially that which is considered illegal, or they brush it aside as be ing in mens nature to do that, for instance in some cultures especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In their culture, men cheating on their wives may as well be given a dip eye as it is in the mens nature or it is the womens fault that such happened (Ruxton, 2004).Now from these two perspectives that is feminist standpoint and masculine sociology, Dorothy Smiths view on textually mediated ruling relations brings out suckly the difference. While from a masculine point of view, there is a fixed set of anticipation that any of the two genders trying to demonstrate it are expected to fit into. This includes how the association perceives them or is expected to perceive them even before their arriver (Rubin and Rubin, 2005). For instance, men are expected to dominate over women in some cultures and to protect their wives plus to provide for them. Thus when a boy is natural he lives trying to r all(prenominal) this expectations that are set out for him. This is impertinent to the femini st standpoint that works to shake off the pre-existing social order. Feminist standpoint theory, which borrows a lot from Hegels theories, postulates that those in marginalized in social or political power relations, will rise to challenge the social order within which they find themselves.The theory bases itself on the idea that women are utterly oppressed. While the situation may be real in some societies some women also have their privileges. Why men have to work all day to feed women who believe it should be so while they still fight for equality is still not clear in the theory. It is for this privilege that most women are never willing to expect the oppression. The ones that do are joined by the oppressed while the continue sit and watch.Conclusively, it suffices to conclude that the concept of masculinity sociology conflicts ideologically with the feminist standpoint theory. Smith attempts to explore the disjuncture between men and women in society by using the standpoint t heory. Her account further attempts to explain the indispensable fault line between the two genders, which she does perfectly. However, she fails to clearly capture why exactly women have to struggle to be at par with their male counterparts.She fails to answer the oppressed male societies who go through struggle to be named by women equal with their other male strong characters. While men are frowned upon when they portray female characteristics having a list of endless abuses to such men, women who behave like men are adored. Pointing to the problem is not enough, the paste between male and female gender is much perpetuated by perceptions which each of us have to come against.