Gender inequalities: New right

Question 1

What are new rights main beliefs ?

Answer 1

• the functions of the nuclear family are under threat

Question 2

What are the two roles of the family that Parson’s suggests ?

Answer 2

• socialising children
• stabilisation of adults

Question 3

What are the main reasons that the nuclear family is under threat ?

Answer 3

• young mothers are encouraged to be ‘wives of the state’ - meaning they can claim free housing and benefits to pay for children
• single mothers cannot socialise children effectively
• feminism

Question 4

Why is feminism to blame for the nuclear family being under threat ?

Answer 4

• Hostile towards the nuclear family as they see it as oppressive
• feminism encourages women to believe that they don’t need a man to live - instead rely on welfare benefits

Question 5

What was Phyllis Schlarly’s theory ?

Answer 5

• women belong in the home due to their biological makeup - they shouldn’t be working
• women shouldn’t be involved in the military because they should look after their family

Question 6

What did Schlarly think of the family ?

Answer 6

• Said that feminists are wrong because women don’t actually want to be liberated from the family
• Society hasn’t found a better way to raise children than the traditional family
• Having a division of labour in the family is cost-efficient
• Children thrive on having the mother at the home constantly

Question 7

What are criticisms of the new right views on gender inequality ?

Answer 7

• ignores the effects of gender roles and the dark side of the family (domestic violence)
• outdated - positive experiences from non-traditional gender roles are now seen in modern society