Can you help me with the concepts of exploitation and empowerment?

Question

Hey all,

I'm hoping some of the more well read women on here will be able to help me out!

I'm doing a research project on sexual representations of women and one of my professor has recommended I read feminist literature on sociology of the body and develop a theoretical/conceptual framework around the ideas of empowerment and exploitation. This would then help with my research design and contribute to my literature review.

Does anyone have any ideas, links or suggestions for reading material which could help me with this theoretical/conceptual framework around the ideas of empowerment and oppression? I'm getting a little confused!!

Sorry if this question isn't too clear but any helpful suggestions would be great, thank you

Best wishes

Claire

Answer 1

A must read is Simone de Beauvoir's Second s*x, a seminal text which explores the notion of women's abjectification and objectification.

Another, Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own a polemical book exploring her theories of women's oppression.

Ain't I a Woman black women and feminism by bell hooks...which discusses the complexities of feminist discourse that women do not fall into a 'universal' category, class, race, sexuality, ability are major considerations around gender.

And certainly when one is exploring issues of power and exploitation, these wider societal issues must be considered.

Equally, you will need to understand a structure which propogates such inequality so read Theorizing Patriarchy by Sylvia Walby

Finally, if you want a book which is so easy to read and will help you understand why feminism should be inherent in every woman's makeup try A Brief History of Misogyny the World's Oldest Prejudice by Jack Holland.

Good luck and enjoy!