Radical Feminists

Question 1

General idea?

Answer 1

• Gender inequality is the outcome of collective efforts of men to dominate, control and exploit women.
• Society is run by men in the interests of men and the men are advantaged, they don’t give up the power.
• Patriarchy is the main source of oppression for women.

Question 2

MILLET

“Biological factors”

Answer 2

Men acquired power due to biological factors. Contraceptive pill allows women control and men can no longer legitimate their power.

Question 3

JOHNSON’S

“Patriarchal terrorism”

Answer 3

Terroristic controls of wives by their husbands that involves systematic use of violence, economic subordination, threats, isolation etc.

Question 4

DELPHY AND LEONARD

“Marriage”

Answer 4

• The family plays a major part in the oppression of women. Women work for the male head of the household and he holds the economic power.

• Economic relationships use informal methods of negotiation.
• Male head of the house makes decisions.
• Social structure in family - head of household and their dependants.
• Members of households work without pay, domestic work is responsibility for women.

Question 5

EVALUATION

Answer 5

• Only talk about the family without acknowledging variations on family life.
• Over-emphasise the factors that separate women from men, men and women work together in many ways.
• LIBERAL FEMINISTS argue women’s position in society has changed and radicals have ignored this.