Feminist views on the role of the family

Question 1

What is the Radical Feminist’s view on the institution in the Role of the Family?

Answer 1

Radical feminists argue that the family is an oppressive institution where socialisation helps to reinforce a patriarchal ideology (patriarchy means male dominated society).

Question 2

What is the Radical Feminist’s view on the socialisation of family roles?

Answer 2

Radical feminists believe that the socialisation of certain social roles, such seeing Mum as a housewife and Dad as a breadwinner, is ultimately reinforcing a power relationship which children imitate through play and therefore begin to instil in themselves.

Question 3

Why do Radical Feminists argue for Political Lesbianism?

Answer 3

Radical Feminism argues for ‘political lesbianism’ – the idea that heterosexual relationships are inevitably oppressive as they involve ‘sleeping with the enemy’. Greer (2000) argues for the creation of all-female or ‘matrilocal’ families

Question 4

Liberal Feminists acknowledge that there have been a positive changes within the domestic division of labour. Discuss further

Answer 4

Whilst Liberal Feminist acknowledge that there have been positive changes within the domestic division of labour of the family (sharing of roles within the family), there still is an expectation that roles are gendered. However, LF do argue that patriarchal oppression is gradually being overcome, such as the Divorce Reform Act, Sex Discrimination Act etc. LF hold a ‘March of Progress’ view of the family whereby the socialisation by parents is much more equal for their daughters than in the past and have similar aspirations to boys

Question 5

Do Marxist Feminists agree with Radical Feminism about the Role of the Family?

Answer 5

Yes:

Marxist Feminists argue (like radical feminism) that far-reaching revolutionary changes to deep-rooted social structures are needed and the family is one area that this needs to happen. MF argue that women are oppressed by capitalism not men.

Question 6

What are the three key functions for Capitalism that support Marxist Feminists view of the Role of the Family, specifically women’s role in the family?

Answer 6

Women’s role in the family performs 3 key functions for capitalism:

1. Women reproduce the next labour force for free.
2. Women absorb anger from her husband which otherwise would be directed at capitalism. Ansley (1972) argues that women are ‘takers of shit’ who soak up the frustrations their husband feels because of the alienation and exploitation at work.
3. Women are a ‘reserve army of labour’ – taken on when extra workers are needed

Question 7

Why do Difference Feminists argue about the generalisation of women’s experience in the Role of the Family?

Answer 7

Difference Feminists argue that we cannot generalise about women’s experiences in the family as we are all different (ethnicity, class etc.) and all live in different family structures rather than the conventional nuclear family