Feminist Theory Vocabulary

noun Athena

• Athena was known as the goddess of wisdom and warfare in ancient Greek mythology.
• I heard Athena is your favorite character in Greek mythology.
• That party was so Athena - full of wisdom and energy!
• Her leadership style is like that of Athena, strategic and powerful.

noun a loud, whistle or a comment of a sexual nature made by a man to a passing woman

verb to make a catcall

• Catcalling is a form of harassment that is not tolerated in the workplace.
• I hate when guys catcall me while I'm walking down the street.
• Some people think catcalling is a way to compliment someone, but it's actually disrespectful.
• The constant catcalls from the audience made the comedian feel like a rockstar on stage.

verb to deprive of strength, vigor, or spirit; weaken

• The dictator's goal was to emasculate his political opponents by stripping them of their power and influence.
• He felt emasculated when his girlfriend earned more money than him.
• Don't let anyone emasculate you like that, stand up for yourself!
• The new policies seemed to emasculate the company's innovative spirit.

noun a type of relationship or sexual activity that is not bound by traditional social norms or expectations

• The concept of free love has been a topic of discussion among philosophers and social scientists for centuries.
• Some people believe in the idea of free love, where individuals are free to pursue romantic relationships without traditional constraints.
• I heard that they are all about that free love lifestyle, just going with the flow and seeing where things go.
• In the world of art, free love represents the unrestricted expression of emotions and creativity.

noun prejudice and discrimination against women based on the belief of male superiority

• Male chauvinism is a deeply ingrained societal issue that perpetuates gender inequality.
• Some guys still hold onto outdated beliefs of male chauvinism.
• Guys who exhibit male chauvinism are just plain ignorant.
• The shadow of male chauvinism looms over many aspects of society.

adjective relating to or characteristic of a matriarch; having a matriarchal social structure

• The society was structured in a matriarchal system where women held the highest positions of power.
• In her family, Grandma is the matriarchal figure who makes all the important decisions.
• The matriarchal boss runs the show at the office and everyone knows not to mess with her.
• The ancient tree stood tall and proud, symbolizing a matriarchal presence in the forest.

verb to treat someone as an object, typically by disregarding their feelings or individuality

• It is important not to objectify individuals based on their physical appearance.
• Dude, don't objectify women like that.
• Stop treating her like an object, man.
• The media tends to objectify celebrities, reducing them to mere objects for public consumption.

noun a term used to refer to lesbianism or homosexual relations between women

• The study of sapphism in ancient literature reveals interesting insights into women's relationships.
• Some people mistakenly believe that sapphism is just a phase for young women.
• I heard she's really into sapphism now, but who knows if it'll last.
• The artist's use of color in the painting created a sense of sapphism that was both captivating and mysterious.

noun a point of view or way of thinking about a particular issue or situation

• From a scientific standpoint, the results of the experiment were inconclusive.
• From my standpoint, I think we should go with the first option.
• Dude, from my standpoint, this movie is a total snooze fest.
• Looking at the issue from a different standpoint can sometimes provide new insights.

noun the state of being a virgin

• The concept of virginity has been historically significant in many cultures.
• She was determined to hold onto her virginity until marriage.
• I heard he finally lost his V-card last weekend.
• Losing her virginity to the world of politics was a daunting experience.

noun a female person

• The woman presented a compelling argument during the debate.
• That woman over there is really good at math.
• Hey, did you see that woman slay on the dance floor last night?
• She was a force of nature, a woman of strength and grace.

adjective relating to or focusing on men, particularly in terms of power or importance

• The society was criticized for its androcentric views that marginalized women.
• Some people still hold onto androcentric beliefs that men are superior to women.
• It's ridiculous how androcentric some guys can be, thinking they're better than everyone else.
• The company's leadership was an androcentric fortress, with no room for women to rise up.

noun a belief in or advocacy of the rights or needs of men, especially in terms of their roles in society

• Masculism is a movement that advocates for the rights and interests of men.
• Some people believe that masculism is necessary to address issues facing men in society.
• I heard some guys talking about masculism and how it's all about men's rights.
• In the battle for gender equality, masculism plays a role in advocating for men's issues.

noun A person who hates or is prejudiced against men

• The philanthropist was known for his generous donations to various charities.
• My uncle is a philandrist who always goes out of his way to help others.
• I heard that guy is a total philandrist, always looking out for his friends.
• Her love for humanity knows no bounds, she is a true philandrist.

noun a term used to describe someone who is both cisgender and heterosexual

• The organization's policy explicitly prohibits discrimination against cishet individuals.
• I heard that Sarah is cishet, but I'm not sure if it's true.
• Some people think being cishet is boring, but I don't see it that way.
• In a world where diversity is celebrated, being cishet is just one of many identities.

noun a set of attitudes and behaviors that are harmful or restrictive to men and society as a whole, often characterized by aggression, dominance, and the suppression of emotions

• Toxic masculinity is a term used to describe harmful behaviors and attitudes associated with traditional masculinity.
• Some people believe that toxic masculinity can be harmful to men's mental health.
• Guys who exhibit toxic masculinity are often referred to as 'manly men'.
• The roots of toxic masculinity run deep in our society, affecting both men and women.

noun the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

• The concept of intersectionality examines how various social categories like race, gender, and class intersect and influence one's experiences and opportunities.
• Intersectionality is about how different aspects of a person's identity can overlap and impact their life.
• Intersectionality is like when all the different parts of who you are come together to shape your perspective.
• Just like roads crossing at an intersection, intersectionality shows how different factors intersect in shaping an individual's identity.

noun a term used to describe a female who is not bound by traditional gender roles or expectations

• The term 'freemale' is used to describe a man who is not married.
• My friend John is a freemale, he enjoys his bachelor lifestyle.
• Some people refer to eligible bachelors as freemales.
• In the world of birds, the freemale is responsible for building the nest.