LIBERAL FEMINIST VIEW

Question 1

What do they argue?

Answer 1

Liberal feminists, like OAKLEY, suggest women’s inequality arises primarily through factors like sexist stereotyping in the media; gender role socialisation; women’s primary responsibility for housework and childcare; their dual burden in both paid employment and domestic labour; a lack of positive role models; and sex discrimination through outdated laws and attitudes.

• These generate a lack of equal opportunities for women, and keep women in a subordinate position to men.
• This strand of feminism is more optimistic about achieving eqaulity for women through a gradual process of reform.

Question 2

Main criticism?

Answer 2

• The main criticism of liberal feminism is that it merely deals with reducing the effects of womens subordination rather than challenging the fundamental causes. Radical and Marxists feminists suggest these lie in the structures of partiarchy and/or capitalism, and women’s equality can only be brought about by revolutionary changes.

Question 3

STRENGTHS OF LIBERAL FEMINIST

Answer 3

1. The liberal feminist argument that progress has been made can be supported by research carried out by SUE SHARPE into changing attitudes and aspirations amongst teenage girls - genderquake
2. Liberal feminist ideas have helped to change people’s attitudes and have contributed to the introduction of laws that seek gender equality in areas such as work, education, divorce and family planning.
3. ANN OAKLEY’s work on gender role socialisation has helped people to see that gender differences are often socially constructed.
4. It is an inclusive version of feminism as it argues that men, as well as women, can be harmed by gender stereotypes.

Question 4

WEAKNESSES OF LIBERAL FEMINISM

Answer 4

1. Liberal feminists are overly optimistic and positive about the progress that has been made in reducing gender inequality
2. Despite changes in the law and attitudes, gender inequalities remain e.g still a pay gap and women still remain responsibile for domestic work
3. Education may not always be an enabler of equality of opportunity. It may in fact enhance and reproduce social inequality - especially women and men from poorer backgrounds.