Society - Essay Plan

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

• Definitions - Feminists currently view society as patriarchal
• Themes - Reform vs. Revolution / Female Consciousness / Difference vs. Equality
• Argument - Agree that something needs to be done, however, the are fundamental disagreement on how this should be done

Question 2

Agree - Revolution vs. Reform
Point

Answer 2

All branches agree that the patriarchy is deeply rooted within our current society and in order create an ideal society something needs to be done

Question 3

Disagree - Reform vs. Revolution
Point

Answer 3

• They disagree about how radical and how much the state should be used in fulfilling the move from the patriarchy
• Liberals - solution is in reform and it can be made less patriachal gradually
• Radical - advocate for revolution as the state itself is patriarchal so cannot be trusted

Question 4

Disagree - Reform vs. Revolution
Example

Answer 4

• Liberals - To abolish the patriachy women would have to achieve formal equality in all fields. Support recent legislation
• Radical - different degrees of revolution, Kate Millet and Charlotte Gilman asserts there needs to be distruction of the traditional nuclear family

Question 5

Agree - Female Consciousness
Point

Answer 5

There is agreement that women do not realise that they are being oppressed by the patriarchal society

Question 6

Agree - Female Consciousness
Example

Answer 6

• Liberals - Betty Friedan dubbed the patriarchy as the ‘problem with no name’ implying women did not recognise their opression
• Radical - Germaine Greer argued that ‘until women themselves reject stigma … they have no hope of achieving full human structure

Question 7

Disagree - Female Consciousness
Point

Answer 7

• They disagree about whether liberation should be an individuals choice or forced upon them
• Liberals - accept that women should be free to choose whether they take up their domestic role
• Radicals - full scale cultural revolution

Question 8

Agree - Equality vs. Difference
Point

Answer 8

Most feminists agree that one gender is not superior to another, therefore the patriarchy should be abolished

Question 9

Disagree - Difference vs. Equality
Point

Answer 9

• Disagreement as to whether it is equality that should be achieved or if inequality should be embraced as difference
• Difference - embraced as the search for equality is fruitless
• Equality - they seek equality for women in all spheres

Question 10

Disagree - Difference vs. Equality
Example

Answer 10

• Difference - bell hook’s theory on intersectionality
• Equality - Simone de Beauvoir expresses this idea: women ‘can do away with this inferiority only by destroying male superiority’