Paper 2: Section B Understanding Social Equalities Flashcards
What are the three types of feminism?
Radical
Liberal
Marxist
What are the views of the liberal Feminism on gender?
Obtaining equal rights for both males and women which are the consequence of gender socialisation, unfair laws and practice that reinforce discrimination
Liberal Feminism:
OAKLEY (1974)
Gender roles are reinforced by gender socialisation in 4 ways:
MANIPULATION- encouragement of gender appropriate behaviour
CANALISATION- channelling if children towards toys and activities for their gender
DOMESTIC ACTIVITIES- gender specific chores
VERBAL APPLIATION- parents adopting different modes of speech depending on gender eg nicknames
Liberal Feminism:
SHARPE (1994)
Looked at womens priorities in the 70’s and again in the 90’s.
In the 70’s women’s main priorities were ‘love marriage husbands and children’ whereas in the 90’s this has changed to ‘job career and being able to support themselves financially’ showing there has been some progress
In 1972 67% wanted to leave school at 16 but in 1990’s 67% wanted to stay in school till 18
Liberal Feminism:
SOMERVILLE (2000)
Progress has been made which is shown through a increase in divorce and choice in marriage
Liberal Feminism:
Evaluation of Oakley
- postmodernists suggest gender identities are no longer fixed so there is no clear set of gender norms
- Oakley seems to regard children as passive recipients but some argue that there is resistance
What are the views of Marxist-Feminism on gender inequalities?
Social class effects the life chances of women and it is a key factor in the relationship between men and women Capitalism leads to the oppression of women
Marxist-Feminism:
FEELEY (1972)
The family preconditions children to accept their place in the capitalist hierarchy and teaches ‘positivity not rebellion’ and it’s natural for men and women to marry
Marxist-Feminism:
BENSTON (1972)
Through unpaid domestic labour the women keeps husband running which is essential to keep capitalism running smoothly. If women were paid for this work there would be a large redistribution of wealth
Marxist-Feminism:
ANSLEY (1976)
Women act as a ‘safety valve’ and are the “takers of sh*t” as husbands return home from work and take anger and frustrations out on women
“A sponge to soak up his revolutionary ire”
Marxist-Feminism:
BRUEGEL (1979)
Women are the reserve army of labour
They join the workforce when needed but are then sent back to the home to be house wives when they are done
Eg during the world wars
Marxist-Feminism:
DALLA COSTA AND JAMES (1972)
Unpaid domestic labour exploits and oppressed women while propping up capitalism
Debate in the book if it is a job or a role and if it should be paid for
What is the view of Radical Feminism on gender?
Patriarchy is the main source of oppression and as the run society they have become advantaged in every area
Radical Feminism:
MILLET (1970)
Men acquired power over women through biological powers eg multiple pregnancies but due to contraception and modern machinery they no longer have legitimate dominance and believes men are prepared to turn to violence to keep their dominance
Radical Feminism:
JOHNSON (1995)
Concept of ‘patriarchal terrorism” can be used to explain violence that is the result of patriarchal traditions of men’s rights to control ‘their’ women
Domestic violence is evidence of this
Radical Feminism:
TI-GRACE ATKINSON
Political lesbianism so men cannot have dominance
“Feminism in the theory, lesbianism in the practice”
Radical Feminism:
DELPHY AND LEONARD (1992)
Family is a institution and plays apart in the oppression of women and are seen as economic system with men as the head of the household
There are 2 roles: head of household(male) and their dependents(wife and children)
Male makes all decisions and has final say, work without pay for the head and women perform sexual and reproductive work
Receive payment in the form of clothes etc
Evaluation of Liberal Feminism
-Marxist and radical say they fail to explain how gender holds different levels of power in the home and society
-some say more revolutionary change is needed to bring about equality
+recognises progress
+new laws eg equal pay act
-overly optimistic about achievements eg still pay gap despite equal pay act
-middle class movement and fails to address wider range of women
Evaluation of Marxist Feminism
+safety valve
+two dimensional
-criticised for placing to much emphasis on social class and not paying attentions to factors such as ethnicity or age
-postmodernist believe Class is no longer a significant social division
-some question it’s usefulness as it requires revolution which does not seem to be happening
-radical says patriarchy is a more significant form of exploitation
Evaluation of Radical Feminism:
+biological differences not key
+recognise dark side of family
-don’t acknowledge variations of family life between social classes and ethnicity
-experience of British women different to other areas
-liberal says position of women has changed over time which they ignore
-accuses of over emphasising factors that separate women and men as they work together in many ways
WALBY
Combines Marxist and Radical Feminism but says experiences will vary as women are not homogeneous (the same)
WALBY: workplace
Face horizontal and vertical segregation with low pay and status due to discrimination from employers
WALBY: family/household
Exploited as they take responsibility for housework and childcare even if they work full time
WALBY: government/state
Acts in interests of men in terms of taxation, welfare rules and the weakness of laws protecting women
WALBY: media
Represent women in a narrow set of roles such as sex objects, mothers and housewives
WALBY:Sexuality
A double standard applied to men and women
Men applauded for gave many sexual partners while women are condemned
Which gender is disadvantaged in terms of work and employment?
Women
Which gender is disadvantaged in terms of income?
Women
Which gender is disadvantaged in terms of wealth?
Women
Which gender is disadvantaged in terms of social mobility?
Women
Which gender is disadvantaged in terms of family life?
Men and women
Which gender is disadvantaged in terms of education?
Men
Which gender is disadvantaged in terms of health?
Men
HEALTH:
By how many times more is the suicide rate for men than women?
3 times
ONS
HEALTH:
On average how many years longer to women live than men?
4 years
HEALTH:
How many years earlier due men develop heart disease than women on average?
10 years
ONS
HEALTH:
Nearly 70% of those who consume hazardous levels of alcohol are what gender?
Men
POVERTY:
When they retire how many women will be living below the poverty line?
1 in 4
Prudential 2011
POVERTY:
How many men live under the poverty line after retirement?
12%
POVERTY:
What percent of children of living in lone parent families are poor?
52%
Department of work and pensions 2009
POVERTY:
What do mothers frequently go without for their children?
Food clothing and warmth
POVERTY:
What percentage of poor people are women?
70%
Global citizen 2014
POVERTY:
What is another type of poverty that only effects girls?
Period poverty
INCOME:
What percentage of people in minimum wage jobs are women?
70%
Low pay commission 2007
INCOME:
When will the gender pay gap end?
2073
INCOME:
What percentage of women have persistent low income?
22% compared to 14% of men
Oxfam 2008
INCOME:
The income of retired women is what percentage less than that of retired men?
40%
Oxfam 2008
INCOME:
By how much does benefits make up a women’s income compared to men’s?
1/5 compared to 1/10 of men’s
UK Feminista n.d
WEALTH:
What percentage of the worlds wealth does women hold?
1% despite making up more than 50% of the population
Gender Inequalities:
Functionalism
No inequalities just differences between sexes
PARSONS: biological differences
MURDOCK: women located in home due to biological function of bearing children
RASTOGI: Human capital theory which income reflects shows women are paid less as they have a lower human capital than men
Gender Inequalities:
Functionalism:
PARSONS
There are biological differences between the sexes
Inequalities in the workplace is the result of women and that they should be at home
Gender Inequalities:
Functionalism:
MURDOCK
Researched in over 200 societies on gender roles
Found gender roles determined by biological functions
Eg women stay in household due to child birthing function
Gender Inequalities:
Functionalism:
RASTOGI
Human capital theory
Suggests the reason women get paid less is due to the fact women have a lower human capital
Gender Inequalities:
New Right:
SCHAFLY
“A flight from home is a flight from self”
Women should not be in the army
Marriage is the best career a women could have
Gender Inequalities:
New Right
No inequalities just differences
Schafly
Gender Inequalities:
Weberian:
WEBER
Vertical segregation:
Separated by glass ceiling, men hold highest ranking jobs and females have lower status
Horizontal segregation:
Females more likely to be in lower skilled occupation
Males go towards more masculine jobs such as builders and engineers and females head towards more feminine jobs such as teaching and hairdressing
Gender Inequalities:
Weberian:
BARRON AND NORRIS
Dual market theory:
Primary labour market:
Secure well paid jobs with greater promotion such as teacher and lawyer
Men usually concentrated here
Secondary labour market:
Less secure poorly paid jobs with less chance of promotion
Women concentrated here
Eg cleaner and waitress
Gender Inequalities:
Marxism:
ENGELS
Suggested subordinate position of women is the result of ownership of private property and a class based society brought about rising inequality Exploited-exploited relationship can be translated to men and women in the household Nuclear family restricts women’s sexuality and enforces monogamy
Gender Inequalities:
HAKIM (2006)
Preference theory:
•No unfair employment practices
•Gender pay gap and glass ceiling are because women have different priorities
•Many women focused on family rather than work
20% of women home centred
20% of women work centred (most men here)
60% of women adaptive
Social Class Inequalities:
WEBER
Social stratification will always be present but class has further divisions than Marx suggests 4 classes: •Propertied Upper Class •Petty Bourgeoisie •White Collar Workers •Manual Working Class
Social Class Inequalities:
Functionalism
Parsons 1955
Davis and Moore 1945
Social Class Inequalities:
Functionalism:
PARSONS (1955)
- Different forms of social stratification including social class reflect value consensus
- Similar to feudal system
- People better at achieving things are worthy of reward
- Most agree successful business owners deserve better rewards for creating wealth and jobs as it contributes to the smooth running of society
Social Class Inequalities:
Functionalism:
DAVIS AND MOORE (1945)
Social stratification functionally necessary as it is a feature of all human society
Main role is to ensure effective role allocation
How important a position is depends on 2 things:
1. Functional uniqueness (not many can carry out the job)
2. Dependence (how many people depend on their job and are under their orders)
Social Class Inequalities:
TUMIN (1953) evaluation of the Functionalist view
Series of criticism on Davis and Moore:
•Importance is a matter of opinion than fact eg cleaner
•There is no clear consensus of distribution of rewards
•High pay reflects power more than agreement they deserve it
•Many have ability but aren’t given the opportunity
•Higher rewards needed to motivate training
•Assume only money motivates people
•Stratification often creates hostility suspicion and mistrust between sections of society
Social Class Inequalities:
Marxism:
MARX
•Economic system basis for all societies
•developed a specialised division of labour so class relations began to emerge
•capitalism emerged from feudalism between 16 and 19 century
•Marx said capitalism gave rise to two classes bourgeoisie and proletariat whose relationship is based on conflict
•Proletariat is exploited by Bourgeoisie
•the downfall of capitalism will be due to
1. Polarisation divide grows larger and classes driven out of business
2. Alienation workers have no satisfaction
3. Economic crisis
• says the proletariat will eventually overthrow the Bourgeoisie when they become class conscious and will create communism where everyone is equal
Social Class Inequalities:
New Right:
SAUNDERS (1990)
- Believe in social stratification
- Argues society based on social inequality will only be possible if considerable force is used to ensure everyone did their jobs to the best of their ability as they are not motivated by economic rewards
- Not opposed to legal equality or equality of opportunity but does not agree with equality of outcomes
- A degree of inequality is desirable in order to motivate people to compete
