feminism Flashcards
What is patriarchy?
A form of society in which men are rulers and leaders and exercise power.
Who said there were 6 elements to patriarchy?
Sylvia Walby.
What are some of the elements to patriarchy Sylvia Walby said?
Paid work- Women more likely to be paid less.
The household- Women are likely to do more housework and raise the children.
Violence- Women are much more likely to be abused.
What do radical feminisms believe gender inequality is caused by?
- Believed gender inequality is caused by men exploiting women, men dominate women physically and culturally patriarchal ideologies operate in society to help women in a weakened position.
What do radical feminists believe the way going forward is?
- To call “separatism”, living without men was viewed as a viable option for female empowerment, lesbianism as a lifestyle choice.
What are criticisms of a radical feminist?
- Too extreme for many - separatism goes too far, matriarchy would merely reverse the situation.
- Other feminists argue that the economy is the source of women’s oppression not men.
- Differences between women’s experiences are ignored.
What do marxist feminists believe gender inequality is caused by?
- Caused by women being forced to serve the needs of capitalism, men control economic resources, women are disadvantaged due to lack of power, women serve role reproduction or the labour force.
What do marxists feminists believe the way forward is?
- Way forward is to overthrow capitalism as a system.
- Communism will bring equality.
What are criticisms of Marxist feminists?
- Men benefit from women’s work not only the economy.
- Full equality was not gained in Communist countries - women still earned less than men, controlled to look after children.
What do liberal feminists believe causes inequality?
- Caused by men being socialised exploit women, ignorance on behalf on men to the plight of women, no one benefits from inequality.
What do liberal feminist believe is the way forward?
Way forward is changes in the law, equal rights legislation, changes in education. These lead to changes in society.
What are criticisms of liberal feminism?
- Lacks any radical ideas - pushes for gradual change.
- Change has came but slowly.
- Ignores the inequalities experienced by different groups of women.
What do black feminists believe?
- Women from ethnic groups experienced sexism differently from white women.
- “double oppression” - sexism and racism could add to a women’s exploitation.
- White feminists were accused of being guilty of racism and stereotyping.
What did Ann Oakley research and what did she find?
- 1974 research unstructured interviews with mums of under 5s.
- Oakley found that wives saw housework as their responsibility and received little to no help from husbands. If husbands helped it may be to take children to park on Sunday, whilst the mother caught up with housework.
Who did Ann Oakley criticise and why?
- Criticised Wilmott and Young and said that 72% of husbands “help in the house” because they only had to do one household chore a week to qualify.
