Study Questions for de Beauvoir

1. One of de Beauvoir’s famous statements is that ‘One is not born but becomes a woman’. Compare Plato, Wollstonecraft, Mill.

2. Does de Beauvoir’s ideal of an ‘independent woman’ any different than the many thinkers on ideals for men?

3. What is negative about woman being ‘the Other’?

4. Does de Beauvoir support the idea that there is a female culture and identity which puts them in parallel situation as other ‘minorities’?

5.  De Beauvoir places heavy emphasis on the ‘myths’ surrounding woman’s status in society. What is her conception of such myths? Do such myths still exist? Should they?

application 1:  Using de Beauvoir’s frame of reference, what advice would give a female student who had been sexually assaulted?

application 2:   Apply “One is not born but becomes a woman” to any other oppressed group of individuals.