Feminism

Question 1

Radical feminist

Answer 1

• They believe sociology is based on male domination and view men as the enemy
• They believe men exploit and oppress women
• They advocate political lesbianism and believe same sex couples have more equality
• They believe that in a nuclear family, women are oppressed because of their unpaid domestic and sexual services.
• They believe family is based around male dominance and patriarchy and want to demolish the family.

Question 2

Marxist feminist

Answer 2

• Combines marxism and feminism
• Believe capitalism is why women are exploited, they also believe women serve capitalism as they are ‘takers of shit’
• Believe that in a nuclear family, women absorb men’s anger and capitalism causes it, women reproduce work force which allows capitalism to continue
• Also believe that women are reserve army of labour

Question 3

Liberal feminist

Answer 3

• Positive
• Believe women are oppressed because of the way they are socialised.
• They believe there has been a change and women are more empowered
• Recognise primary socialisation is more equal
• They say family life is becoming more equal because of laws, women are more financial,
• They say divorce is becoming easier

Question 4

Difference feminist

Answer 4

• Believe women are not on homogenous group
• Believe not all women have the same experiences
• Believe black women are oppressed by racism and exploitation
• Believe class impacts a women’s experience
• They say the family lower class mothers have a dual burden, where as middle class mother don’t
• They say there’s different types of families and women have different roles

Question 5

march of progress

Answer 5

Liberal feminists believe progress has been made and women are gaining more power in society because of changes in laws and changes in attitudes

Question 6

matrilocal families

Answer 6

A female only household – advocated by radical feminists (Greer)

Question 7

patriarchy

Answer 7

A term used to describe a male dominated society; a system or ideology of male power over women

Question 8

political lesbianism

Answer 8

Radical feminists believe that we should not enter in to relationships with men because they are the enemy. They argue we should live separately from men and engage in relations with women to prove a point

Question 9

structural feminism

Answer 9

Assume all women live in a traditional nuclear family – Radical, Liberal and Marxist feminism

Question 10

reserve army of labour

Answer 10

Marxist feminists believe that women were called to help in the workforce at times of crisis, for example during the world wars. When they are no longer needed they return to their unpaid domestic role

Question 11

oppression

Answer 11

Feminists believe women are exploited by men and that men take advantage of women in the family

Question 12

post-structural feminism

Answer 12

Similar to difference feminism – they look at the different experiences of women in today’s society

Question 13

what do black feminists believe about the family?

Answer 13

they argue the family can be a source of comfort for black and ethnic minority women

Question 14

what do radical feminists promote

Answer 14

some radical feminists promote separatism (living separately to a man) and political lesbianism to avoid sleeping with the enemy. Greer advocates all female households (matrilocal households)

Question 15

why is separatism unlikely to work?

Answer 15

population wouldn’t be able to expand