Intro of second sex

1. The author has been hesitant to write a book about women because the
subject can be bothersome and controversial, especially for women
themselves. The topic of feminism has been discussed extensively in the past.
2. The author questions whether there's a real problem concerning women and
their role in society. Are women a distinct group? Do they really exist? Are
they necessary?
3. Some people still believe in the traditional idea of the "eternal feminine," while
others think that women are losing their way or have already lost their
identity.
4. There's a debate about what defines a woman. Some say it's linked to having
a womb, but some women don't fit this definition and are still considered
women. Everyone agrees that females make up about half of the human
population.
5. Despite this, people claim that femininity is at risk. They urge women to
embrace and retain their womanhood. This suggests that not every female is
automatically considered a woman; they need to possess a certain quality
known as femininity.
6. The author questions whether femininity is a biological product of the ovaries
or a philosophical concept. They ponder the nature of this concept.
7. Feminine Essence and Symbolism:
1. Some women try hard to embody femininity, but it's not easy to define.
2. It's often described vaguely using impressive words that sound
mystical.
3. In the past, it was seen as a clear concept, like how poppies were
known for their sleep-inducing power.
8. Changing Views in Science:
1. Science now disagrees with the idea of unchangeable qualities tied to
specific groups (like being a woman, Jew, or Negro).
2. Science believes traits are influenced by situations, not set in stone.
3. If femininity doesn't exist today, it never really existed before.
9. Shifting Perspectives on "Woman":
1. Some thinkers say the word "woman" doesn't mean anything specific.
2. They believe it's just a label given to certain human beings.
3. Some American women think there's no need to consider themselves
as women; they should be seen as people.
4. An author named Dorothy Parker thinks that books focusing only on
women as women aren't fair.
10. Limits of Nominalism and Identifying Women:
1. Nominalism (view that labels are just names) isn't enough.
2. People against feminism argue that women are distinct from men.
3. While both men and women are human beings, saying this is too
general.
11. ndividuality and Reality:
1. Every person is unique and separate.
2. Rejecting ideas like the eternal feminine, black soul, or Jewish character
doesn't mean denying the existence of these groups.
3. Denying these traits doesn't help those groups; it's avoiding reality.
12. Challenging Gender Roles:
1. A female writer didn't want her photo among women writers, wanting
to be seen as a man instead.
2. She used her husband's influence to achieve this, showing how deeply
ingrained societal perceptions are.
3. Some women who act tough or deny their feminine traits still seek
recognition and respect from men.
13. Defiance and Femininity:
1. An example of a young activist shows how she defied her apparent
fragility to be seen as strong like a man.
2. This was driven by her affection for a militant male counterpart.
3. Many American women's defiant attitudes hint at their struggle with
their own femininity.
14. Visible Differences:
1. Just taking a walk and observing people reveals that humanity can be
divided into two distinct groups.
2. These groups differ in their appearance, expressions, bodies,
movements, interests, and jobs.
3. These differences might be surface-level or could eventually disappear,
but they're definitely present for now.
15. Defining "Woman" and the Significance:
1. If being female or the concept of the eternal feminine doesn't define
woman, then what does?
2. The author wants to answer the question "what is a woman?"
3. Just asking this question suggests an important point.
16. Gender Identity and Self-Identification:
1. A man wouldn't write a book about the unique situation of being male.
2. For the author, self-identification starts with saying "I am a woman."
3. A man doesn't need to state he's male; it's taken for granted.
17. Imbalance in Gender Terms:
1. Terms like masculine and feminine are used formally, but they don't
represent a balanced relationship.
2. Man represents both the positive and neutral aspects, while woman is
defined by limitations, without equal reciprocity.
18. Subjectivity and Defending Ideas:
1. It's frustrating when someone attributes opinions to being a woman.
2. The author's defense is based on the truth of the argument, not
subjective identity.
 3. Contrastingly, it wouldn't make sense to say a man's viewpoint is solely
due to being a man; it's not peculiar.
19. Gender and Perception of Anatomy:
1. Woman's biology (ovaries, uterus) limits her subjectively.
2. It's often claimed she thinks with her glands.
3. Men ignore their own glandular functions and see their bodies as
objective connections to the world.
20. Man vs. Woman Perception:
1. Men view their bodies as straightforward connections with the world.
2. Woman's body is often seen as a burden, a confinement due to its
unique attributes.
21. Historical Views on Women:
1. Aristotle saw women as having qualities missing from men, considering
them naturally deficient.
2. St. Thomas Aquinas regarded women as imperfect or incidental
versions of men.
3. The story of Eve's creation from Adam's rib in Genesis symbolizes this
idea.
22. Male-Centric Perspective:
1. Throughout history, women have been defined in relation to men, not
as independent beings.
2. Some writers, like Michelet and Benda, emphasize that women are seen
as relative to men and lacking significance on their own.
3. Women are often identified solely based on their sexual nature
according to male perception.
23. Woman as the "Other":
1. The concept of the "Other" has existed as long as human
consciousness.
2. This duality between the "Self" and the "Other" isn't initially tied to
gender distinctions but is fundamental in human thought.
1. In ancient societies and mythologies, this duality wasn't solely about men and
women but also existed in various other aspects. Group Dynamics and
"Otherness":
 Whenever a group forms, it naturally creates an "Other" to contrast
with itself.
 Simple things like sharing a train compartment can make people view
everyone else as potential adversaries.
 Small-town people see outsiders as "strangers," and people from
different countries are often seen as "foreigners."
2. Cultural Evolution and Opposition:
 Lévi-Strauss suggests that the transition from primitive to cultured
societies involves the ability to perceive biological relations as
contrasting pairs.
  Opposition, duality, and symmetry are key features in how societies
perceive themselves and others.
3. Hostility in Consciousness:
 Unlike the idea of friendly coexistence, human consciousness seems to
harbor a fundamental hostility towards other consciousnesses.
 People often define themselves as essential and set themselves against
others who are seen as inessential.
4. Reciprocity and Relativity:
 In various interactions like wars, festivals, treaties, and contests, the
concept of the "Other" loses its absolute meaning.
 The relationships between individuals and groups become more
reciprocal and relative over time.
5. Male Dominance and Female Subordination:
 Despite reciprocity being recognized in many social contexts, it hasn't
been extended to gender relations.
 The author questions why women don't challenge male dominance.
 People don't willingly embrace the role of the "Other"; it's often
defined by those who establish themselves as the "One."
6. Submission and Dominance:
 For the "Other" to remain in a subordinate position, they often need to
accept the dominant perspective.
 The question is, why do women accept this role of submission?
7. Dominance in Certain Cases:
 Sometimes, one group dominates another due to unequal numbers or
other factors.
 Historically, this dominance could arise from one group overpowering
the other.
 The stronger group imposes its rule over the weaker one.
8. Women Aren't a Minority:
 Unlike other dominated groups (like American Negroes or Jews),
women are not a minority; there's an equal number of women and men
in the world.
9. Changing Relationships:
 Many groups that have been dominated by others were initially
independent or unaware of each other.
 Historical events, such as the scattering of Jews or the introduction of
slavery in America, changed the dynamics.
10. Retaining a Shared Past:
 Often, oppressed groups retain memories of their previous status.
 They might share a common history, traditions, religion, or culture.
11. Women and Proletariat Parallel:
  Bebel's comparison between women and the proletariat is valid
because both groups are not separate or minority units in society.
 Unlike the proletariat, women have always existed.
12. Historical Development vs. Natural Condition:
 The status of the proletariat stems from historical development, while
women's subordination has existed throughout history due to their
anatomy and physiology.
 This difference in origin might make women's subordination seem
more unchangeable.
13. Struggle for Change:
 Proletarians and Negroes assert their identity and struggle for change,
transforming those in power into "others."
 Women, however, don't typically use "We" and often use the term
"women" to refer to themselves.
 Women's efforts for change have been mostly symbolic and haven't
achieved the same level of revolution as other groups.
14. Limited Progress for Women:
 Women have gained rights and recognition primarily through what
men have been willing to grant.
 They have received advancements rather than taken them through their
own efforts
15. Challenges of Women's Unity:
 Women lack the means to organize themselves into a united group
that can confront the corresponding male group.
 They lack a distinct past, history, and religion.
 Their work and interests don't form a solid bond like the proletariat's.
16. Dispersed Lives and Associations:
 Women live among men, tied to them by factors like residence,
housework, economics, and social status.
 Their connections to certain men, like fathers or husbands, are often
stronger than their connections to other women.
17. Allegiances and Solidarity:
 Women's solidarity is often tied to their class or race, rather than
gender.
 They feel more allegiance with men of their own class or race, rather
than women from different backgrounds.
18. Unique Bond and Biological Reality:
 Unlike other groups that can dream of overthrowing oppressors,
women can't even dream of exterminating males.
 The bond between women and men is distinct; it's not comparable to
other types of solidarity.
 The division between sexes isn't a historical event but a biological fact.
19. Fundamental Unity and "Otherness":
  Men and women are essential components of a fundamental unity,
where they are necessary to each other.
 Women, as "Other," complete this unity by standing opposed to men.
20. Reciprocity and Women's Liberation:
 One might think that mutual dependence could have helped women
gain liberation.
 Examples from myths and stories, like Hercules and Omphale, Medea
and Jason, and Lysistrata, show attempts by women to use their
connection with men.
 However, these attempts didn't lead to lasting power or social change.
21. Slave-Master Analogy:
 Just like women and men, masters and slaves also have a reciprocal
need, often economic.
 The master doesn't emphasize their need for the slave, as they have the
power to fulfill their own needs.
 The slave, being dependent, is more aware of their need for the master.
22. Need and Liberation:
 The need, even if equally pressing for both sides, tends to favor the
oppressor and disadvantage the oppressed.
 This dynamic is why liberation, even for the working class, has been a
slow process
23. istorical Imbalance:
 Throughout history, women have been dependent on men and not
equal partners.
 Although some changes are happening, women still face significant
disadvantages.
24. Legal and Social Disadvantages:
 Women's legal rights are often not the same as men's, and customs can
limit the expression of these rights.
 In the economic realm, men and women are almost like two separate
groups with different opportunities and advantages.
25. Men's Dominance:
 Men hold better jobs, higher wages, and more important positions in
various fields.
 The history that is taught and respected mostly reflects the
accomplishments of men.
26. Women's Alliance with Men:
 Women's position as "Other" provides them with material protection
and moral justification.
 They avoid the economic and metaphysical risks of pursuing
independent liberty.
27. Temptation to Surrender Liberty:
  There's a temptation to give up one's liberty and become submissive,
which leads to dependence on another's will.
 This easy route avoids the difficulties of living an authentic existence.
28. Complicity and Satisfaction:
 Women might not claim the status of a subject because they lack
resources, feel a strong bond to men, and are content with their role as
"Other."
29. Beginning of Conflict:
 The duality of sexes leads to conflict, where one side might assume
absolute status.
30. Why Did Men Win?
 It's questioned why men emerged as winners from this conflict.
 It's possible women could have won or the outcome might have been
undecided.
31. Historical Change and Its Justifications:
 The world's belonging to men and recent changes are not new
questions.
 Justifications provided by men are viewed with suspicion because
they're biased.
32. Poulain de la Barre's Perspective:
 Poulain de la Barre, a lesser-known feminist from the 17th century,
questioned writings about women by men.
 She saw men as both judges and parties in the "lawsuit" concerning
women's status.
33. Male Satisfaction and Superiority:
 Males often expressed satisfaction in being perceived as the rulers of
creation.
 Religious prayers and philosophical writings have historically affirmed
male superiority.
34. Founding Supremacy into Right:
 Males wanted to solidify their supremacy into an absolute and eternal
right.
 Laws were often created to favor men, leading to their elevation to
principles.
35. Efforts to Justify Subordination:
 Legislators, priests, philosophers, writers, and scientists have tried to
show that women's subordinate position is willed by heaven and
beneficial on earth.
36. Religions and Legends Reflecting Domination:
 Religions created by men often reflect their desire for domination over
women.
 Myths like Eve and Pandora depict men's opposition to women.
37. Use of Philosophy and Theology:
 Men have used philosophy and theology to support their beliefs, as
seen in quotes from Aristotle and St. Thomas.
38. Literary Hostility and Justification:
 Satirists and moralists have historically criticized women, sometimes
validly, other times gratuitously.
 This hostility often conceals a desire for self-justification.
39. Manipulation of Laws and Rules:
 Historical instances, like Roman law, manipulated claims of women's
"imbecility" or "instability" to limit their rights.
40. Montaigne's Perspective:
 Montaigne recognized the arbitrariness of women's assigned roles and
the injustice in rules made without their input.
 However, he didn't fully advocate for women's rights.
41. Shift to Objective Viewpoint:
 In the 18th century, some democratic thinkers like Diderot and later
John Stuart Mill recognized woman as a human being, advocating for
her rights.
42. Industrial Revolution's Impact:
 The industrial revolution led women to enter the workforce, giving
feminist claims a tangible economic basis.
 The bourgeoisie, fearing a threat to family-based private property,
attempted to push women back into the home.
43. Working Class Dynamics:
 Even within the working class, men resisted women's liberation due to
the fear of women becoming competitive rivals.
44. Anti-Feminist Arguments:
 Anti-feminists used not just religion, philosophy, and theology, but also
science (biology, psychology) to prove women's inferiority.
 They often advocated for "equality in difference," mirroring
discriminatory practices like Jim Crow laws.
45. Similar Justifications for Oppression:
 Methods used to justify the oppression of races, castes, classes, and
sexes are similar, such as "the eternal feminine," "the black soul," and
"the Jewish character."
46. Comparison to Jewish Situation:
 While the Jewish problem is distinct, both women and Negroes are
being emancipated from paternalism.
 The former ruling class seeks to maintain their control and restrict their
advancement.
47. Comparison of Oppression:
  The former masters praise "the good Negro" and "truly feminine"
woman, portraying them as submissive and childlike.
 The dominant class creates the circumstances that justify the perceived
inferiority of these groups.
48. Vicious Circle of Inferiority:
 When kept in an inferior position, individuals/groups are considered
inferior, leading to a self-reinforcing cycle.
49. Dynamic Understanding of "To Be":
 The verb "to be" should be seen as dynamic (Hegelian sense) rather
than static; women's current situation is the result of their opportunities
being limited.
50. Continuing Inequality:
 Some men wish to maintain the existing inequality between men and
women, fearing competition and its impact on their privileges.
51. Conservative Opposition to Emancipation:
 Conservative bourgeoisie view women's liberation as a threat to
morality and their interests.
52. Economic and Psychological Factors:
 Economic interests drive opposition to women's advancement, but
psychological benefits of feeling superior also play a role.
53. erceived Male Superiority:
 Even mediocre men feel superior compared to women, bolstering their
self-esteem.
 This superiority is emphasized by Claude Mauriac and others who
dismiss women's ideas.
54. Questioning Male Authority:
 Women may not accept being treated with "polite indifference" and
challenge such dismissive attitudes.
55. Insecurity and Aggression:
 Men anxious about their virility often exhibit aggression, scorn, or
arrogance towards women.
56. Benefiting from the Myth of Woman:
 Men benefit from the societal myth that positions women as the
"Other" or inferior.
 This myth serves as a psychological balm for men's insecurity and
provides a basis for feeling superior.
57. Resistance to Change:
 Men find it difficult to relinquish the benefits derived from the myth of
woman's inferiority.
 They may not fully realize the potential benefits of embracing equality
with women.
58. Claiming Equality:
  Although many men implicitly claim superiority, they also adhere to
democratic ideals of recognizing human equality.
59. Perception of Equality and Inequality:
 In family settings, children perceive women as equals to adult males.
 As young men experience love and marriage, they recognize women's
independence and respect them as equals.
 Points of inferiority, often attributed to natural causes, still exist, such as
unfitness for certain professions.
60. Contradictory Views:
 Some men claim women are equals and have nothing to demand, while
simultaneously asserting that women can never match men's status.
61. Limited Understanding:
 Even well-intentioned men may not fully grasp the significance of
seemingly small social discriminations that deeply affect women's
moral and intellectual well-being.
62. Sympathetic Men's Perspective:
 Even the most sympathetic men may not fully comprehend the realities
of women's lives and experiences.
63. Resistance to Privilege Analysis:
 Men may vigorously defend privileges they enjoy, even if they don't
fully grasp their extent or impact.
64. Challenging Attitudes:
 Despite attacks on women and praise for traditional roles, women
shouldn't be discouraged or swayed by men's biased views.
65. Skepticism of Feminist Arguments:
 Feminist arguments should be approached with skepticism due to the
controversy surrounding the topic.
 Debates on whether woman is superior, inferior, or equal to man have
been ongoing.
66. Contradictory Arguments:
 Various arguments exist, such as the idea that woman, being created
after Adam, is secondary, while others contend Eve represents
perfection.
 Counterarguments often arise for each point, making discussions
fallacious.
67. Need for Fresh Approach:
 To better understand the issue, it's important to move away from
vague notions of superiority, inferiority, and equality and start anew.
68. Challenges of Posing the Question:
 Both men and women are biased parties in discussing the topic.
 An unbiased entity like an angel would lack the understanding of basic
facts.
  Even a hermaphrodite, possessing parts of both genders, doesn't offer
a clear perspective.
69. Considering Women's Perspective:
 Women who understand their own situation may be best qualified to
provide insights.
 It's important to avoid the assumption that women will always be
biased or untruthful
70. Empowerment of Present-day Women:
 Many contemporary women enjoy restored privileges of being human
beings.
 Women today can afford to be impartial and recognize its importance.
 They have achieved significant progress in terms of gender equality.
71. Change in Attitude:
 Today's women are less partisan than their elders and have largely
succeeded in the struggle for equality.
 United Nations emphasizes the growing realization of gender equality.
72. Understanding Femininity:
 Women have a deeper understanding of the feminine world due to
their personal connection with it.
 They can immediately grasp the significance of being feminine.
73. Concern for Knowledge:
 Despite having other pressing concerns, women find value in exploring
how being female affects their lives.
 They ponder over the opportunities given to them and those denied.
74. Focus on Clarity and Understanding:
 Recent books by women about women prioritize understanding over
demanding rights.
 The book mentioned is an effort to contribute to this clarity in the post-
controversial era
1. Of course, it's nearly impossible to approach any human problem without some form
of bias. The way we ask questions and the viewpoints we adopt are influenced by our
interests and values. Instead of hiding these implicit principles, it's better to state
them openly from the beginning. This way, we won't have to repeatedly clarify the
meanings of terms like "superior," "inferior," "better," "worse," "progress," "reaction,"
etc., on every page. Looking at various works about women, we often find the
perspective of the general welfare, or the common good, which usually refers to what
benefits society as one desires it to be. However, we believe that the true public good
is what ensures the well-being of individual citizens. We will assess institutions based
on how effectively they provide actual opportunities for individuals. Yet, we don't
confuse the concept of personal interest with happiness, even though this is another
common perspective. For instance, we can't simply say women in a harem are happier
than women voters, or that a housekeeper is happier than a working woman. The
term "happy" is quite vague, and its true meaning and underlying values can be
unclear. It's impossible to accurately measure the happiness of others, and it's easy to
 label any situation as "happy" when it suits our intentions. Those who are stuck in
stagnation are often considered happy because of the idea that happiness is
about being at rest. However, we reject this notion.
2. Our perspective is rooted in existentialist ethics. Every person expresses their
unique self through actions or plans that go beyond their immediate self, and
they achieve true freedom by continually reaching for more freedom.
3. The only valid reason for existing is to expand into an open future. When
transcendence (moving beyond oneself) turns into stagnation, it's a
degradation of existence, freedom becomes constraint, and this is a serious
problem.
4. Woman, just like any human being, is free and independent. However, she
finds herself in a world where men force her to be seen as the "Other." Men
try to make her an object and limit her transcendence by overshadowing her
with their dominance.
5. The conflict arises from the clash between every individual's desire to be
essential and the situation where women are made to feel inessential.
6. The central question is how a woman in this situation can find fulfillment.
What options are available to her? What paths are open or blocked? How can
she regain independence while in a dependent role?
7. I'm interested in exploring these questions and shedding light on the
challenges women face, focusing on their liberty rather than just happiness.
3.
24. The problem wouldn't matter if we believed that a woman's fate is only
shaped by biological, psychological, or economic factors.
25. I'll start by discussing how biology, psychoanalysis, and historical materialism
view women. These fields offer perspectives on how they see women's roles
and characteristics.
26. Then, I'll explain how the concept of the "truly feminine" has been created.
This involves understanding why women have been seen as the "Other," not
the norm, and how this viewpoint has impacted men.
27. From the woman's standpoint, I'll describe the world they live in. This will help
us understand the challenges they face as they seek to break free from their
traditional roles and gain equal status as humans.
28. The goal is to explore the difficulties women encounter as they strive to
escape the roles society has assigned them and work towards full inclusion in
the human community.