Feminist theories of the family Flashcards
What do radical feminists believe about the family?
- 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.
What is the marxist feminist view of the family?
- 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
What is the liberal feminist view of the family?
- 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
What is the difference feminist view of the family?
- 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
What is the liberal feminists view of the family?
Liberal feminists believe progress has been made and women are gaining more power in society because of changes in laws and changes in attitudes
What is the matrilocal family?
A female only household – advocated by radical feminists (Greer)
Define patriarchy
A term used to describe a male dominated society; a system or ideology of male power over women
Define political lesbianism
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
What are structural feminists?
Assume all women live in a traditional nuclear family – Radical, Liberal and Marxist feminism
Define reserve army of labour
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
Define oppression
Feminists believe women are exploited by men and that men take advantage of women in the family
What is post-structural feminism?
Similar to difference feminism – they look at the different experiences of women in today’s society
what do black feminists believe about the family?
they argue the family can be a source of comfort for black and ethnic minority women
what do radical feminists promote
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)
why is separatism unlikely to work?
population wouldn’t be able to expand
