feminism

Question 1

feminism

Answer 1

• study society from the viewpoint of women because they see social structures as patriarchal
• see within societies females are subordinated in power compared with males so they are seen as ‘second class citizens’

Question 2

types of feminisms

Answer 2

• radical feminism; focus on problem of inequality between men and women ( men are the enemy and oppressors)
• Marxist feminism; focuses on exploitation of women at home and workplaces
• liberal feminism; focuses on achieving equality for both sexes
• difference feminism; points out that patriarchal experiences of women differ due to class and ethnic differences between women

Question 3

radical feminism

Answer 3

• sees society as patriarchal because it pervades family and personal relations between husband and wife
• gender classes; men and women constitute separate and opposing sex classes biologically so men have power and women are weak
• men can shape dominant ideas about women’s roles via socialisation
• power; men have more power than women in social institution like law so they are able to pass up social policies that benefit men (MILLET)
• violence; men use physical force and sexual violence to oppress women in family

Question 4

criticisms of radical feminism

Answer 4

+ radicals highlighted important features of women’s oppression e.g. domestic violence

• underestimate the improvements of women’s role in society
• generalises that all women experience the same exploitation

Question 5

Marxist feminism

Answer 5

• oppression caused by structural factors e.g. capitalist society
• women economically disadvantaged since they carry out more unpaid labour (DELPHY & LEONARD; men exploit this)
• unpaid labour maintains labour force and absorb anger from their husbands
• patriarchy is an ideology that benefits capitalism because it legitimates gender inequalities

Question 6

evaluation of Marxism feminism

Answer 6

+ highlight that capitalist society give women lower wage than men

• underplays influence of non economic factors e.g. culture/religion that oppresses women
• radicals; oppression existed before the capitalist society
• liberals says that they ignore recent legal changes aimed at liberation of women

Question 7

liberal feminism

Answer 7

• the position of women in society has improved but inequalities remain in childcare and some cultures remain sexist
• optimistic approach that gender inequalities will eventually disappear
• difference between other feminist theories is that liberals seek gradual reform than revolution

Question 8

evaluation of liberal feminism

Answer 8

+ led campaigns resulting in western governments introducing laws and social policies that improved women’s position

• still inequality between men and women (housework/childcare) in media, religions
• still significant violence against women

Question 9

difference feminism

Answer 9

• rejects idea that all women share common experiences because there are too many divisions between women
• not all women are exploited the same; social class background and ethnicity affect it
  e. g. white, MC women do not suffer from racism whereas WC black women do
• they celebrate the differences in women and suggests there nay be several paths towards liberation