the feminist perspective

Question 1

first wave of feminism

Answer 1

suffragettes wanted the right to vote

1918 - equal rights given to women over 30

1928 - equal rights given to women at 21 years old

Question 2

second wave of feminism

Answer 2

1960s - concentrated on equal rights in the workplace

1961 - free contraception

1970 - equal pay act

2008 - women’s pay still averaged two thirds of men’s

Question 3

impact on feminism in society

law

Answer 3

equal pay act pension provisions

Question 4

impact on feminism in society

social policy

Answer 4

maternity and paternity leave

family tax credits

nursery vouchers

Question 5

impact on feminism in society

education

Answer 5

girls are treated more equally in schools

out achieving boys

Question 6

impact on feminism in society

family

Answer 6

women go to work and contribute financially

have more say in family matters

stay at home dads less stigmatised

Question 7

impact on feminism in society

workplace

Answer 7

less sexism (nude calendars and innuendos)

better chance of promotion

Question 8

what kind of view to feminists take on the family?

Answer 8

a critical view

its a conflict theory like marxism

Question 9

what does the family do according to feminists?

Answer 9

oppress women through the unequal division of domestic labour and violence that is often suffered

Question 10

what do feminists regard gender inequality as?

Answer 10

something created by society

it is not natural or inevitable

Question 11

liberal feminism

Answer 11

concerned with campaigning against sex discrimination and for equal rights and opportunities for women

Question 12

what do liberal feminists argue?

Answer 12

women’s oppression is being gradually overcome

we are moving towards greater equality but that equality depends on further reforms

studies have suggested that men are now doing more domestic labour and parents are socialising their children equally

Question 13

radical feminism

Answer 13

all societies have been founded by the patriarchy

the key division in society is between men and women

men are the enemy

the family and marriage are the key institutions in patriarchal societies

Question 14

how do radical feminists believe the oppression of women can be overturned?

Answer 14

abolish the family - root of the patriarchal system

can only be done through separatism

political feminists such as germaine greer argue for the creation of matrilocal households

Question 15

marxist feminism

Answer 15

the main cause of women’s oppression in the family is not men, but capitalism

oppression of women in the family is linked to the exploitation of the working class

Question 16

what functions do marxist feminists believe women’s oppression perform for capitalism?

Answer 16

reproduce the labour force

absorb anger - fran ansley (‘takers of shit’)

women are a ‘reserve army’ of cheap labour

Question 17

difference feminisim

Answer 17

we can’t generalise about the women’s experience as if they are all from a conventional nuclear family

black feminists argue that white feminists neglect black women’s experience of racial oppression. Black families are a positive source of support and resistance against oppression

others dispute this, arguing that women share many of the same experiences when compared with men - they face a greater risk of domestic violence

Question 18

criticisms of feminism

Answer 18

liberal feminists - criticised for failing to challenge the underlying causes of women’s oppression

jenny somerville (2000) - radical feminists fail to recognise that women’s position had improved considerably and argues that separatism is unlikely to work

most women want to spend time with men, marry them and have children together

the new right - equality is not always a good thing