Sociology Lecture Notes: Harriet Martineau and Feminism

Introduction to Gender Conflict in Sociology

Initial focus on male founders of sociology due to historical educational inequalities for women.
Question raised: Why are men and women treated differently?
Gender Conflict Theory: Applies conflict theory principles to gender relations, examining perpetuation of gender inequalities.
Functionalist Approach: Historically sees gender roles as natural, but modern sociologists often disagree.
Restrictive educational access for women highlighted as societal dysfunction.

Harriet Martineau: Born in 1802 in England; first female sociologist.
Made sociology accessible to the public with her series "Illustrations on Political Economy".
Traveled the U.S., observing social practices; published works "Society in America" and "How to Observe Morals and Manners".
Key areas of study: Gender roles, marriage, female occupations, research methodology.
Her work and translation of Comte's sociology were initially forgotten but revived by feminist scholars in the 1970s.

Feminism Definition: Support for social equality among genders, opposing patriarchal structures.
First Wave of Feminism (19th - early 20th century): Focused on women's suffrage and legal inequalities.
- Seneca Falls Convention (1848): Sparked women's suffrage movement.
- Influential figures: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman: Wrote against societal gender assumptions; advocated gender equality.
Distinction between sex (biological) and gender (social roles).
Gender roles vary across cultures and time, suggesting societal origins, not just biological.

Second Wave (mid-20th century): Focused on workplace equality, reproductive rights, education.
- Influential works: "The Second Sex" by Simone de Beauvoir, "The Feminine Mystique" by Betty Friedan.
Third Wave (1990s-present): Broadened feminism to include race, class, sexuality.
- Introduced concept of Intersectionality: Analyzes intersecting systems of disadvantage.
- Term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw.

Recognition of Harriet Martineau's contribution as a starting point for feminist theory and discussions.
Introduction to Max Weber as the next figure in sociology studies.

Acknowledgment of support from patrons on Patreon, especially Headmaster of Learning, David Suchowski.