What is feminism anyway?: Understanding contemporary feminist thought

by Chris Beasley

Modern feminism.

Paperback

Published January 1, 1999

About the author

Chris (Christine) Beasley is an Australian researcher whose interdisciplinary work crosses the fields of social and political theory, gender and sexuality studies and cultural studies.

Dr Chris Beasley is Emerita Professor in Politics. Dr Beasley is founder and past Co-Director of the Fay Gale Centre for Research on Gender at the University of Adelaide.

Her main teaching areas are social and political theory, gender and sexuality studies, and cultural politics. She has been previously been located in Sociology, Women's Studies, Aboriginal Studies and Education.

Her books include Heterosexuality in Theory and Practice (with Heather Brook and Mary Holmes, Routledge, 2012), Engaging with Carol Bacchi (edited with Angelique Bletsas, University of Adelaide Press, 2012), Gender & Sexuality: Critical Theories, Critical Thinkers (Sage, 2005), What is Feminism? (Sage, 1999) and Sexual Economyths (Allen & Unwin, 1994).

Her most recent book is titled 'The Cultural Politics of Popular Film: Power, Culture and Society' (with Heather Brook, Manchester UP). She is currently writing another book, 'Internet Dating' (with Mary Holmes, Routledge).

Dr Beasley is also engaged in several research projects, including embodied ethics and revaluing care, innovations in heterosexuality, hetero-masculinity and intimacy, and gender and social change. .

Reviews

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this book years ago and I picked it up thinking I have solved this problem for myself and it will be revision at best and outdated stuff at worst. I found it helpful. I will reread what Beasley says about post-structuralism as I think I have recently been a bit unfair to it. This book admits the difficulties of pinning down what is feminism (and hints that what is "woman" may not be such an obvious answer to begin with). I loved the conclusion which admitted the PLEASURE of feminism which has been a constant in my life for more than 2 decades now. So many things bother, bug and anger me but feminism is like the chocolate in my reading, writing and teaching (even in my parenting especially when my now adult children are able to share the interest with me a bit).

I've been personal about this book because I found it a very enjoyable read but I would recommend it not just for the diehard feminist but even just for the curious or confused. For a book that looks at some relatively complex ideas there is an admirable quality of saying things as simply as possible. I can grapple with very academic sounding stuff if I have to, but I prefer a friendly if authoritative "teacher voice" like the one of this book.

Before I started I had plans for where to share it next but I actually think this one is going on my shelf for reference and an eventual reread.

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I choose to read this book because, as someone who has identified as a feminist for many years and even had the chance to do some feminist studies, I felt I didn't know enough about the differences between the biggest/most influential groups of feminist thought. Although giving a full detailed account of different groups of feminist theory would be nigh impossible (due to all the strands and sub-strands, and the discord within the strands and the ever-changing nature of these categories), the author does a great job of breaking feminism down into what she sees as seven main categories.
This is not your average feminist, woman-power book. This is a book for people wanting to understand feminism better from a theoretical/academic perspective.