Feminists Explanation Of The Family

Question 1

What is the liberal feminist explanation?

Answer 1

-Due to changes to law and attitudes, girls have been resocialised
-‘March of progress’- Equality Act 2010, Equal Pay Act 1970
-Feminists have been empowered since sexual revolution of the 60s- 70s- less stigma of women’s actions

-Dunscombe and Marsden: women work triple shift- job, housework, emotional support
-Even with recent changes- still overworked

Question 2

What is the radical feminist explanation?

Answer 2

-Millet- modern society is a system of subordination and domination
-Men are the enemy- source of women’s oppression
-Marriage and family oppress women- housework= no pay and low status and men dominate through DV
-Children socialised into norms and values of patriarchy
-Political lesbianism and separatism

-Hakim- ignores women exercising rational choice

Question 3

What is the Marxist feminist explanation?

Answer 3

-Nuclear family meets the needs of capitalism for reproduction and maintenance of class system
-Benefits rich at the expense of working class and women
-Benston- reproduce and rear the future workforce
-Ansley- ‘takers of shit’
-BOGOF
-Reserve army of cheap labour

-Functionalists- role of warm bath theory essential for society to continue

Question 4

What is the difference feminist explanation?

Answer 4

-Cannot generalise a womens experience
-See family as a barrier from racism in wider society
-By regarding the family purely negatively, white women ignore a black women’s experience of racism

-Evaluate with Rad Fems view