SOCIOLOGISTS & THEIR THEORIES Flashcards
Who is Talcott Parsons?
Parsons provides the functional fit theory: the type of family that doors a society’s structure, and the functions it performs ( warm bath theory)
Who is Ansley?
Ansley is a marxist feminist who challenges Parsons warm bath theory when she describes women in the family as ‘takers of shit’. She includes the idea that the family is not beneficial for women
Who are Delphy and Leonard?
Two feminists who argue that it is men rather than capitalism who benefit the most from exploiting women
What are some roles according to Marxist Feminists?
-women reproduce/raise and socialise the next generation of workers and maintain the labour force
-their interpretation of Parsons warm bath theory is that women are just absorbing the anger of their proletariat husbands
-all this can be supported but Ansleys theory of women who are ‘takers of shit’
What are some Liberal Feminist view on exploitation of women?
- the increased choice for women and the rise of the dual-earner household (both partners in work) has helped create greater equality within relationships (March of Progress)
-Liberal Feminists focus on policies which will encourage greater equality (Equal Pay Act) within relationships and to help women cope with the practicalities of daily life
-However Liberal Feminists do acknowledge that this can lead to a DUAL BURDEN where women need to be a homemaker and a breadwinner
Radical Feminists:
-focus on patriarchy as the instrument of oppression within the home
-DELPHY & LEONARD recognise men do some housework the extent of this is rather limited as they show how all the unpaid domestic jobs are done by women
-women also make the largest contribution to family life whereas men contribute the least but gain the most
