Theories Of The Family- Feminism Flashcards
What is the socialisation function of the family?
-The family passes on the norms and values of patriarchy to ensure its reproduce.
-Dad is usually head of household where his mum is homemaker. The sexual division of labour is socially constructed.
-Society encourages expressive and instrumental roles three policies such as parental leave pre-2015.
-This creates self fulfilling prophecies. This means children see same sexual role models in traditional roles reinforcing stereotypes and ensuring the reproduction of patriarchy.
-canalisation = boys and girls were channelled into activities that are seem to be appropriate for their gender.
Evaluation of the socialisation function
Postmarks would argue that they ignore the possibility we have some choice in creating our family relationships.
In fact, the diversity of family types found today reflects the fact that we can choose our domestic set up for ourselves
Economic function of the family
- A feminist would argue that women are impressed by both capitalism ism as well as men
-Women provide free domestic labour as the the housewife role is unpaid
-As part of the expressed role she maintains the worker preparing food cleans a home and takes care of children
-This work is given more status and no pay
-This helps capitalism because of worker is comforted by the family and this is all at no cost to capitalism
Evaluation of the economic function
Feminist theories of families have dated fairly badly because it fails to take into account recent economic and social changes such as the educational success of young females and many women’s rejection of domestic labour. Therefore, this lacks contemporary relevance.
What is the reproduction sexual regulation function of the family?
-traditional nuclear family women are expected to bear and raised children
-As such being exploited for their reproductive capabilities
-This role also limits their opportunities for career advancements contributing to them earning less than men.
- Marxists like Engels argue that marriage brought female sexuality under male control and turned women into instruments of the production children.
Evaluation of the reproduction and sexual regulation function
Functionalists say it ignores the positive aspects of the family and argues they ignored the possibilities that many women enjoy running a home and raising children.
What is the root of the problem for liberal feminists?
-there is a patriarchy, but it is being gradually overcome by changes to laws and attitudes
-Equal pay act and sex discrimination act have helped women win equality in Work
-They believe as socialisation changes there will be further strides to equality, e.g.’ March of progress’
-This is evidence by city showing men do more house Work then in the past
Evaluation of the liberal feminists
-Radicals criticise it for being rose tinted. As they assume ritual attitude changes are enough. Radicals would say this is too naive and more radical solutions are needed.
What do radical feminist argue Is the root of the problem?
-Radical feminists such as Millett see modern families characterised by patriarchy
-The system subordinates and dominate women
-For them men are the enemy due to them being the source of oppression of women
-Marriage and family oppressed women duty men benefiting from unpaid labour
-As such as the family should be abolished and we should adopt separatism = women live independently
-Many radical feminist argue for classical lesbianism-where women choose homosexual relationships to avoid sleeping with the enemy
Evaluation of radical feminists
Some argue this model is outdated as it fails to consider recent trends such as a feminisation of the workforce.
Also liberal feminists argue that separate is unlikely to work because heterosexual attraction makes it unlikely that conventional nuclear families will disappear .
What do marxist feminists argue as the root of the problem?
-Marxist feminist suggests that the nuclear family meets the needs of capitalism maintaining class and patriarchal inequality
-It benefits the powerful at the expense of working class and women
1. Women reproduce the labour force= Benston Augie’s the nuclear family provides basic commodity required for capitalism, i.e. reproducing and rearing the future workforce
2. Women absorb anger= Ansley describes women as takers of shit. Absorbing anger their husband’s experience because of capitalism in the place therefore women maintain the work forces emotional fitness.
3. Women are the preserve army of cheap labour= in terms of economic growth they are used and push back into the hounding times of economic slowdown.
Evaluation of Marxists feminism
Black feminist argue that they emphasise women’s role within capitalism ignoring black women’s experiences of racism which is not faced by white women.
