Marilyn Frye - Lecture notes 1 PDF

Preview

Summary

Detailed notes on Frye's oppression extract....

Description

Marilyn Frye Oppression notes -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The double bind of oppressed people. “One of the most characteristic and ubiquitous features of the world as experienced by oppressed people is the double bind” – Frye, 2005, p.85. Women are often caught in the double bind. E.g. in the US, for younger women especially they are in a bind. Sexual activity or lack of sexual activity can lead to negative judgements. For example, name calling such as ‘whore, slut, slag’ can be said about a woman who has sex with men, however, if one does not have sexual activity until they are perhaps abit older; she may be charged with lesbianism, or called ‘bitch, cock-tease, frigid’, either way a woman can be victimised under one category. The rape of a woman can often be seen as the woman’s fault somewhat, or that the woman liked it (since she was supposedly repressed and frustrated). Therefore, both sexual and non-sexual activity are seen as being causes of a woman’s rape. For example, the 17-year-old girl who had her thong underwear used against her at her rape trial- the Washington post, democracy dies in darkness, Amanda Erickson, 2018 This idea of door opening, and gallant gestures pretends to be helpful according to Frye. Door opening is the umbrella term used to describe certain actions that men do to supposedly help a woman. 1) opening doors for a woman, 2) buying drinks for a woman on a date maybe. Frye thinks that this is a way for men to assert dominance over women, to show that they are alpha. Especially when the woman is an able-bodied human being. A woman does not need help to open a door. Gallant gestures have a symbolic meaning. “The message of the false helpfulness of male gallantry is female dependence, the invisibility or insignificance of women, and contempt for women”- Frye, 2005, p86 Frye recognises that all women end up in service work regardless of their social status. (always includes personal service-Maids, butlers, cooks, personal secretaries) , additionally, sexual service- (satisfying his sexual needs, bearing his children, being nice and being attractive for him). Ego support as well- encouragement, support, praise and attention). Women’s service work is characterised by powerlessness and responsibility. “at every race/class level and even across race/ class lines men do not serve women as women serve men” – Frye, 2005, p.88 The service sector which women are in (e.g. wives, mommas/ assistants/girls) is predominantly a barrier away from men. Men are closed off from it. “the woman’s restraint is part of a structure oppressive to women; the man’s restraint is part of a structure oppressive to women” – Frye, 2005, P. 90 “for any woman of any race, or economic class, being a woman is significantly attached to whatever disadvantages and deprivations she suffers, be they great or small” – Frye, 2005, p.90 “none of this is the case with respect to a person’s being a man” -Frye,2005, P.90

-

Simply being a man is not what stands between him and a job. It would never be part of the reason for not getting a job. Being a male is something that is going for him. Even if his race, class, or age is not going for him. “women are oppressed as women” -Frye, 2005, p.90...