feminism and sociological theories

Question 1

origins of feminism

Answer 1

• late 19th century: suffragettes campaign for the right to vote
• 1960s second wave on a global scale
• now there are many different types of feminism

Question 2

feminism as a conflict theory

Answer 2

• conflict theory between males and females
• patriarchy male domination e.g. the family
• compared to functionalism: which is a consensus theory

Question 3

LIBERAL feminism views on society

Answer 3

• men exploit women because of socialisation/socially constructed gender roles (family and socialisation)
• changes need to be made through laws, education, equal opportunities and socialisation
• e.g. sex discrimination act 1975 / equal pay act 1970
• eradicate sexism out of media/childrens books
• liberal feminism could be seen as a consensus theory, as female emancipation will allow males to express their nurturing side
• CRITICISM: over optimistic

Question 4

MARXIST feminism views on society

Answer 4

• female exploitation is rooted in capitalism
• unpaid labour in the home (MARGERET BENSON)
• produces the next generation work force free of charge
• reserve army of labour
• women absorb the anger directed at capitalism
• FRAN ANSLEY: women are ‘takers of sh*t’ who absorb work-related frustrations
• changes will only occur when we get rid of capitalism
• CRITICISM: fails to say why women in non-capitalist societies are oppressed

Question 5

RADICAL feminism views on society

Answer 5

• SHULAMITH FIRESTONE argues the origins of patriarchy lie in biological differences - all men oppress women - women are the child bearers so physically weaker
• women are exploited through pornography, rape and domestic violence
• GERMAINE GREER argues the only solution is separatism, matrifocal households and political lesbianism
• CRITICISMS: ignore recent changes in society, ignore increase in female violence, heterosexual attraction makes political lesbianism impossible

Question 6

DIFFERENCE feminism views on society

Answer 6

• critical of other types of feminism, say they are essentialists by seeing women as essentially the same homogeneous group
• all women have different experiences - recongise diversity
• other feminists write for western, white, MC heterosexual women

Question 7

BLACK feminism views on society

Answer 7

• dissatisfaction with other feminism as black women’s lives are different to white women e.g. legacy of slavery
• MIRZA: black feminists want to be acknowledged for making contributions to feminism / high achievements in education
• developed matrilocal families and challenged the police
• want to be seen as brave, proud and strong
• DOREEN LAWRENCE OBE - now sits in house of lords

Question 8

feminist methodology

Answer 8

• in the past women have been ignored by sociologists
• feminist research can improve the position of women
• feminist research should include the perspective of the women being studied - a joint activity

Question 9

focus groups

Answer 9

• less artificial - emphasis on group interaction
• minimizes power differences - researcher and researched have an equal relationship
• focus groups involve marginalised women
• e.g. CARLEN females in prison - unstructured interviews

Question 10

ethnographic research

Answer 10

• small scale observational studies
• allows a full documentation of women’s lives
• focus on aspects seen as unimportant to men
• allows researcher to see activities from the viewpoint of women

Question 11

qualitative interviewing

Answer 11

• feminists use the in-depth unstructured interview more than any other method
• structured interviews are exploitive
• there is a power relationship between researcher and respondent
• researcher decides what is important