Theories of the family feminism

Question 1

What are the different types of feminists?

Answer 1

Radical, liberal, marxist and difference

Question 2

What is feminists overall view of the family?

Answer 2

Feminists take a critical view of the family because they believe it oppresses women and both shapes and perpetuates inequality.

Question 3

What do liberal feminists focus on?

Answer 3

They focus on campaigning against sex discrimination and for equal rights. They want equal opportunities for women.

Question 4

What do liberal feminists argue are the 2 most effective ways to promote gender equality?

Answer 4

A - changing peoples attitudes and behaviours through socialisation through various agencies - particularly the family
B - passing legislation to outlaw discrimination e.g. sex discrimination act 1975

Question 5

What are some criticisms of liberal feminists?

Answer 5

-They are too optimistic
-A and B haven’t promoted gender equality like they envisioned

Question 6

What do Marxist feminists argue?

Answer 6

-That the main cause of women oppression is capitalism.
-Believe that the family serves key functions for the capitalism

Question 7

Who are some sociologists that are associated with marxist feminists view?

Answer 7

Ansley (1972)
Mitchell (1971)

Question 8

How does the family contribute to capitalisms according to marxist feminists?

Answer 8

-Women reproduce the labour force through unpaid domestic labour, by socialising the next generation of workers with the values required by capitalists
-Women act as a safety valve and absorb anger that would otherwise be directed at capitalism.
- women are a reserve army of cheap labour that can be exploited depending on the needs of the economy

Question 9

Marxist feminist - What does Ansley (1972) claim.

Answer 9

Argues that wives are ‘takers of shit’ who soak up the legitimate frustration and anger that their husbands feel because of their exploitation at work.

Question 10

Marxist feminist - What does Mitchell (1971) argue

Answer 10

Claims that full gender equality in the labour market can only be achieved if women are freed from their domestic responsibilities.

Question 11

What do radical feminists focus their analysis on?

Answer 11

Domestic violence

Question 12

What do radical feminists argue?

Answer 12

-Argue that patriarchy causes womens oppression
-Claim that the key division in society is between men and womens arguing.

Question 13

What do radical feminist blame the gender division in society on?

Answer 13

A - men being the enemy and the source of womens oppression
B - the family and marriage are key patriarchal institutions in society.

Question 14

What do radical feminists say men dominate women through?

Answer 14

They dominate women through domestic violence or the threat of it.
Men also benefit from womens unpaid domestic labour and sexual services

Question 15

Radical feminist - what does Dobash (1970) argue?

Answer 15

-Widespread domestic violence is an inevitable feature of a patriarchal society, arguing that is served to preserve and perpetuate the power men have over women
DV is an extension of male domination and control over women

Question 16

What kind of explanation does Dobash (1970) offer?

Answer 16

A sociological one rather than a psychological one by linking patterns of DV to dominant patriarchal social norms.

Question 17

What do radical feminists point out?

Answer 17

That contrary to popular belief the family is not always a secure, happy and functional unit.
For many, particularly women and children, the family is the most violent group they are likely to belong to.

Question 18

Radical feminism - What does Pahl (1985) argue?

Answer 18

-that the legitimisation of domestic violence by wider society is clear in the denial that its incidence is rare and that it is confined to certain groups.

Question 19

Radical feminist - what does Pahl (1985) claim?

Answer 19

That the dichotomy between the public and private sphere is central to and understanding of domestic violence

Question 20

How does Pahl (1985) explain the reluctance of the police and courts.

Answer 20

Male domination of state institutions explain the reluctance of the police and courts to deal effectively with cases of domestic violence and their justifications of non intervention p.

Question 21

What do radical feminists encourage to stop patriarchy?

Answer 21

-They encourage separatism where women organise themselves and live independently of men.
-Many advocate the creation of matrifocal households and some advocate political lesbianism to avoid sleeping with the enemy.

Question 22

What criticisms do difference feminists make of other feminist views?

Answer 22

-they tend to assume that most women live in a conventional nuclear family and share a similar experience of family life.

Question 23

What does difference feminist Nicholson (1997) argue?

Answer 23

Women in different types of households experience family life differently

Question 24

What do difference feminists believe?

Answer 24

That it is wrong to generalise female experience.