Simone De Beauvior (1908-1986)

Intro

• French philosopher and writer
• Considered "mother of feminism"
• Main study was devoted to the conditions of women
• Wrote "The Second Sex" English translation 1953

Main Thesis

• "One is not born, but becomes a woman"- Distinction between biological sex and socio- cultural, therefore changable, gender
• Women have become identified as the "other" to men- inessential or secondary to men
• Male is the essential and "true human"
• Women can only be seen in relation to men- women through the eyes of men

Historical Evolution of Womens Subordination

• Homosapien life= women relied on men for hunting and fighting 
• Womens focus was on reproduction- men in control of everything else
• …