The Feminist Perspective

Question 1

Feminist Themes

Family as a Place of Work

Answer 1

Feminists first to say housework + childcare is work- unpaid labour
Men often benefit from unpaid labour of women
Oakley- Housework is hard, routine, and unrewarding, remains primary responsibility of women

Question 2

Feminst Themes

The Myth of the Symmetrical Family

Answer 2

Feminists attack notion of growing equality between partners
Mainly women performing childcare, sacrifices to buy childrens’ clothes, less likely to make important decisions, more likely to give up paid work, many work inside + outside the house

Question 3

Feminist Themes

Greater Dependency of Women on Men’s Earnings

Answer 3

Average pay of women is about 85% men- link to womens’ roles as housewife and mother

Question 4

Feminist Themes

Domestic Violence

Answer 4

Women more likely to be victims of serious domestic violence

Question 5

Liberal Feminsts

Improvements

Answer 5

Argue best way to improve position of women is through reform of the current system and removal of discrimination

Question 6

Liberal Feminists

Six Measures: One

Answer 6

Changing socialisation and parenting practices
Avoid gender stereotyping steering women into housewife role

Question 7

Liberal Feminists

Six Measures: Two

Answer 7

Establishing and asserting the legal rights of women as individuals
Laws to establish equal pay + stop sex discrimination e.g Equal Pay Act (1970)

Question 8

Liberal Feminists

Six Measures: Three

Answer 8

Establishment of equality on maternity and foreign paternity leave
Both parents have equal rights to time off work- parenting seen as responsibilty of both

Question 9

Liberal Feminists

Six Measures: Four

Answer 9

Better and cheaper childcare
Allows both partners to combine childcare with careers in employment

Question 10

Liberal Feminists

Six Measures: Five

Answer 10

More sharing of housework and childcare tasks with men

Question 11

Liberal Feminists

Six Measures: Six

Answer 11

Stronger action against domestic violence

Question 12

Liberal Feminsts

Criticisms

Answer 12

Make proposals that may improve the position of women in society, but dont tackle the fundamental inequality women face as a result of patriarchy and capitalism

Question 13

Radical Feminists

Ideology

Answer 13

Focus on patriarchy
Greer

Question 14

Radical Feminists

Problems with the Family

Answer 14

Relationships between men + women highly exploitative and patriarchal
See family as patriarchal institution, benefits men at the expense of women
Marriage is also a patriarchal institution

Question 15

Radical Feminists

Solution

Answer 15

Women should avoid patriarchal families
Reject family and family life, some cases reject relationships with men altogether (separatist feminists, political lesbianism)

Question 16

Marxist Feminists

Key Idea

Answer 16

Women are doubly exploited- as workers and as women

Question 17

Marxist Feminists- Reproduction of Labour Power

Family is a Place to Eat, Drink, and Relax

Answer 17

Ensures members can go to work with labour power renewed

Question 18

Marxist Feminists- Reproduction of Labour Power

Unpaid Housework of Women

Answer 18

Produces and maintains unpaid labour- free of cost to capitalists, not paid for vital labour of rearing children and looking after male partners

Question 19

Marxist Feminists- Reproduction of Labour Power

Socialising Children

Answer 19

Socialises children into the dominant ideology, prepares them for the necessity + routines of work
Day-to-day realtionships and mechanics of power and control lead to acceptance of power inequalities in society
Lays groundwork for submission to ‘the boss’ in later life- obedient workforce

Question 20

Marxist Feminists- Social Control of Working Class

Expectations of ‘Good Parenting’

Answer 20

Parents work to provide material comforts + good lofe chances for children- keeps people in unsatisfying, boring, and unrewarding jobs
Harder to go on strike if dependents- weakens bargaining power + discourages industrial action

Question 21

Marxist Feminists- Social Control of Working Class

Safety Valve

Answer 21

Delphy and Leonard- Safety valve provided by emotional work of women, prevents frustration at work from spilling into action. Contributes to stabilisation of capitalist system
Ansley- ‘women are the takers of shit’

Question 22

Evaluation

Universality

Answer 22

Assumes women’s roles are the same in all families- many consist of dual-worker couples

Question 23

Evaluation

Lack of Choice

Answer 23

Hakim- Women may choose to fulfill a housewife/mother role, and there are different career aspirations, life goals, and priorities for men and women
Many also choose paid employment, however it may be combined with housework/childcare

Question 24

Evaluation

Widespread Employment

Answer 24

More women are working and have independent incomes- more power in the family than portrayed

Question 25

Evaluation

Divorce

Answer 25

Around two-thirds of divorces initiated by women- can and do escape unsatisfactory marriages

Question 26

Evaluation

Obedient Workforce

Answer 26

Day to day relationships less likely to create unquestioning workforce- children have more status and power, children empowered by knowledge and experience from wider socialisation (media, education)
Women more likely to assert themselves