Gynocentrism and Gynonormativism
I quote the Wikipedia definition of gynocentrism, as follows:
Gynocentrism is the practice of placing women's safety, comfort and general well-being at the center of social or political concern, and structuring life in the objective service of such interests. It extends no further than that, and would NOT include placing the feminine point of view at the center of one's worldview. That is to say, gynocentrism does not violate the boundary of inner space by requiring a person (male in particular) to think and feel a certain way. In sum, gynocentrism is not totalitarian.
Gynonormativism goes the extra step. Using gynocentrism as a platform, gynonormativism prioritizes the feminine point of view hierarchically within the culture, on both a political and interpersonal level, and pressures males in particular to adopt a supposed feminine system of values as a component of one's authentic personality. In this manner gynonormativism is totalitarian. We would understand feminism as a gynonormative project, while acknowledging that it could not have come into operation without a preexisting base of gynocentrism in the traditional culture.
Gynonormativization is integral to the establishment of female supremacy.
Gynocentrism (Greek, gyno-, "woman, female") is the practice, conscious or otherwise, of placing female human beings or the feminine point of view at the center of one's world view. The perceptions, needs, and desires of women have primacy in this system, where the female view is the reference point or lens through which matters are analysed. Ideologically, gynocentrism prioritizes females hierarchically, as the overriding focus, and at the exclusion of all else. Observed in practice, the preeminence of women is seen as absolute: interpersonally, culturally, historically, politically, or in broader contexts socially (i.e. popular entertainment). It is the reverse of androcentrism where the male view is the central reference point.I would differ from this.
Gynocentrism is the practice of placing women's safety, comfort and general well-being at the center of social or political concern, and structuring life in the objective service of such interests. It extends no further than that, and would NOT include placing the feminine point of view at the center of one's worldview. That is to say, gynocentrism does not violate the boundary of inner space by requiring a person (male in particular) to think and feel a certain way. In sum, gynocentrism is not totalitarian.
Gynonormativism goes the extra step. Using gynocentrism as a platform, gynonormativism prioritizes the feminine point of view hierarchically within the culture, on both a political and interpersonal level, and pressures males in particular to adopt a supposed feminine system of values as a component of one's authentic personality. In this manner gynonormativism is totalitarian. We would understand feminism as a gynonormative project, while acknowledging that it could not have come into operation without a preexisting base of gynocentrism in the traditional culture.
Gynonormativization is integral to the establishment of female supremacy.
posted by Fidelbogen at 1:51 AM
5 Comments:
IMHO Gynonormativization is unlikely as feminists aren't interested in what 'normal' women want, only what they themselves decide women should want (women are exactly the same as men, except mysteriously better, whilst needing protection from everything because they are so weak of will).
Perhaps what we're heading for might be called
feministivization?
which doesn't exactly trip off the tongue easily...
Yes, we're on the same page, we know what we're talking about here, so. . . "gynonormativism" will do.
If they are not supreme, but maximally equal, would they be able to establish hierarchical supremacy, and if so, would they be able to maintain it, not actually being superior? Given, inherent advantages, willingness of males etal, but also disadvantages, infantile tendencies and irrationality that are cultivated in their own works and thinking (ever hear of a feminist philosophy class that preaches honor and discipline of the individual?) Should we be concerned about the future of society, or just those unfortunate individuals caught in the midst of a cultural swing that ultimately readjusts leaving only the fart-like vestiges of feminism wafting from dusty corners of used book stores?
I like that bit about fart-like vestiges wafting from the dusty corners of used book stores. Priceless! ;)
I still remember a brief but interesting lecture I had in entomology class, given from the very edge of one of those lagoons on a hog farm, regarding the nature of saprophytes. There was a joking but also very serious admonition not to fall in. And I don't mean this to be a bit ironic, re manginas.
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