Feminism - Theories of the Family

Question 1

Liberal Feminism, Oakley:

Answer 1

The cause of women’s oppression is Socialisation. We teach what it means to be a ‘boy/girl’ by socialising children into certain behaviours. Also, the ‘housewife’ role only emerged after the industrial revolution: women became trapped at home and financially dependent on their husbands due to laws preventing women from working. So, the housewife role is a social construct.

The solution to women’s oppression is challenging stereotypes and legal reform. Equal Pay Act 1970 and Equality Act 2010 challenge gender stereotypes. Women mostly have financial independence due to work, and toys are far less gendered than they used to be.

Evaluation = Radical feminists and Marxist feminists would argue that small changes in the law are not enough as patriarchy is too engraved into society to make a different. Need a revolution where we completely deconstruct societal institutions.

Question 2

Radical Feminism, Greer:

Answer 2

The cause of women’s oppression is the patriarchy. Unmarried women are happier than married women but married men are happier than unmarried men. Benefits men and oppresses women.

The solution to women’s oppression is separatism. Political lesbianism where women live in matrilocal households because any relationship with a man is inherently oppressive. Avoid any relationship with man: ‘collaborating with the enemy’.

Evaluation = Liberal/Marxist feminists argue that men are also oppressed.

Question 3

Marxist Feminism, Ansley:

Answer 3

The cause of women’s oppression is Capitalism. Benefits capitalism in 2 ways.

• Women maintain the current workforce: become “takers of shit” through the Warm Bath Theory, men remove their negative emotions through women.
• Women reproduce the next generation of workers: primary socialisation, socialising into the ruling class ideology, so that they are ready to be exploited by capitalists.

The solution to women’s oppression is Communism. A communist revolution would eradicate class inequality and gender inequality as the traditional power hierarchy wouldn’t exist anymore.

Evaluation = Hakim argues that many women choose to become full-time housewives as they enjoy it.

Question 4

Difference Feminism, Hooks:

Answer 4

The 3 other types of feminists ignore the differences between women, only seeing the world from a white, middle-class perspective (aka white feminism). Women of colour experience the ‘double whammy’ of sexism AND racism, so the family is actually a positive support network against racism.

Evaluation = criticised for ignoring the fact that there are things that a vast majority of women have in common, such as being paid less than men.