Feminism Flashcards
Sylvia walby (1990) suggested that there are six elements to patriarchy
1-paid work – women are less likely to be paid less
2-the household – women are likely to do more housework and raise the children
3-the state – women are much less likely to have access to formal power
4-violence – women are more likely to be abused
5-sexuality – women’s sexuality is more likely to be treated negatively
6- culture women are misrepresented in media and public cultures
Marxist feminists
They believe patriarchy results from class equality the wife’s role contributes to husband in several significant ways. The wife’s unpaid domestic labour is invaluable to capitalists. She socialised and raise future workers at no cost to capitalist and she keeps an adult worker her capitalism in good working order by feeding and caring for him, the wife’s emotional support soaks up the frustrations produced by working for capitalism. Furthermore children are produced to confirm and submit to capitalism.
Radical feminists
Such as Delphi and Leonard – 1992 – see patriarchy as built into the structure of society and as the most important form of inequality in society men are seen as the primary beneficiaries of the exploitation of women, the family is a key institution used to achieve this exploitation. Men are usually the head of the household and it is the head who benefits from the work that is done e.g. domestic work ,childcare. Radical feminists believe women are oppressed
Liberal feminist
Such as Jennifer Somerville have a more moderate view of gender inequality. They believe that no one benefits from gender inequality – many women do not get the opportunity to reach their potential in the workplace and many men don’t experience the pleasure of having close relationships with their children they campaign to see practical legislation introduced to change this many laws have reduced gender inequality
Difference or intersectional feminism
Argue that other types of feminist failed to recognise the diversity of family forms that exist today they highlight the variations in the family situation of women as having a huge impact on their experience
E.g. rich women have a very different experience to poor black black women and women to white women
Evaluation of feminists view
Strengths
Weaknesses
Strengths
Highlights the exploration and inequality experienced by women in public and private realms
Has helped bring about positive changes for women through campaigning and legislation, e.g. Campaigning against domestic abuse equal pay act shared parental leave.
Weaknesses
Ignores positive aspects of family life – many women enjoy raising children and running a home
Ignores trends towards gender equality
Functionlists would argue, they ignore the positive benefits of family life
What is feminism?
Feminism is a sociological perspective and a political movement which argues that the main source of inequality in society is gender inequality between men and women society is patriarchal and means male dominated
The four key ways
Domestic Work – women do more homework and childcare than men
Emotion work – women provide emotional support for other members which is time-consuming but unrecognised
Male domination (power) – men make more of the important decisions and have more control over finance. They can also use domestic violence and abuse to wheeled power.
Economic dependency – women are often financially dependent on their partners, especially if they have children
The solutions of
Radical feminists
Liberal feminists
Marxist feminist
Difference feminists
Separatism – partial lesbianism – campaigns
Cultural plus legal changes
And capitalism and live under communism
Intersectionality – all aspects of our identity interact to influence our life changes and experiences of discrimination
