Feminism

Question 1

main idea

Answer 1

Feminism started as a criticism of gender roles in society. Feminists’ argued that gender roles
were created by men for their benefit, and they described this type of society as “patriarchal”.
From the 1950s onwards, feminists were broadly critical of the nuclear family, which was the
dominant family type at that time.
They argued the nuclear family performed two key functions
which oppressed women
a) the family socialised girls to accept subservient roles within the family,
whilst socialising boys to believe they were superior – this happens through children witnessing
then recreating the parental relationship
b) it socialised women into accepting the “housewife” role
as the only possible/acceptable role for a women. Indeed it was the only way to be feminine/to be
a woman. Essentially, feminists viewed the function of the family as a breeding ground where
patriarchal values were learned by an individual, which in turn created a patriarchal society.

Question 2

liberal feminists

Answer 2

Liberal Feminists believe in a “March of Progress” view of the family. This means that they believe
that the family is gradually changing for the better over time by becoming more democratic and
more equal.
They argue that evidence shows men are doing a greater share of domestic labour
(housework, childcare), decision making is becoming more equal and that male and female
children are socialised in a much more similar manner with similar aspirations.
Liberal feminists
believe this trend has been facilitated by legal reforms, such as the sex discrimination act and by
changes in social attitudes. Essentially, Liberal Feminists believe adult relationships are far less
patriarchal than those in the 1950 and therefore children are less likely to learn patriarchal value.
They also believe this trend will continue with men and women becoming more equal.

Question 3

Jenny Somerville

Answer 3

argues women’s role within the family has improved significantly, they
now have better access to divorce, control over their own fertility, less social pressure to marry and
better job opportunities as mothers. Nonetheless, Somerville does recognise the need for further
reforms if women are to achieve full equality.

Question 4

criticisms of liberal feminism

Answer 4

• Marxist Feminists point out that women still do the majority of housework.
• Marxist Feminists point out that Women are still the primary child carers.
• Radical Feminists point out that it is still women who are most likely to be the victims of
  domestic violence.

Question 5

marxist feminism

Answer 5

Female subordination is the product of capitalism, wives (‘service’ workers), produce and
socialise new workers, = more ‘surplus value’ for the economy
 Women provide a ‘reserve army of labour’ - extra, cheap and temporary workers
 Women are the ‘takers of shit’, absorbing many of the pressures created by capitalism

Question 6

Fran Ansley

Answer 6

argues women absorb the anger that would otherwise be directed
at capitalism. Ansley argues women’s male partners are inevitably frustrated by the exploitation
they experience at work and women are the victims of this, including domestic violence.

Question 7

radical feminism

Answer 7

Radical feminists argue that all relationships between men and women are based on patriarchy –
essentially men are the cause of women’s exploitation and oppression. For radical feminists, the
entire patriarchal system needs to be overturned, in particular the family, which they view as root
of women’s oppression.

Question 8

Anne Oakley

Answer 8

dual burden

Question 9

Duncombe and Marsden

Answer 9

triple shift

Question 10

criticisms of radical feminism

Answer 10

Ignores the progress that women have made in many areas e.g. work, controlling fertility,
divorce.
* Too unrealistic - due to heterosexual attraction separatism is unlikely.
* Ignores domestic/emotional abuse suffered by men who often don’t report it.