Theories of the Family - Feminist Perspective on the Family Flashcards
What do feminists view the family as serving?
Serving the needs of a patriarchal society
Patriarchal society
Male-dominated society
What does feminist research focus on in the family? (3)
Housework arrangements
Domestic violence
The power relationship
What does feminism examine?
The contribution of women’s role in the family to the economy
Three different branches of feminism
Liberal
Marxist
Radical
What do all the branches of feminism fundamentally agree about the family?
That the family is oppressive towards the exploitation of women
What type of family are feminists critical of?
Nuclear family
What do almost all feminists agree that?
Gender is socially constructed and gender roles are learnt rather than biological
Liberal feminist view of family
Believe in a ‘March of progress’ view
‘March of progress’
Belief that the family is gradually changing for the better over time by coming more democratic and equal
What do liberal feminists argue that evidence shows? (3)
Men are doing greater share of domestic labour
Decision making is coming more equal
Boys and girls are socialised in similar ways
What do liberal feminists see adult relationships as?
Less patriarchal than those in 1950s
What does Somerville (liberal feminist) suggest?
Proposals to improve family life for women that involve modest policy reforms than revolutionary change
What does Somerville (liberal) believe that many feminists have failed to do?
Failed to acknowledge process for women
What does Somerville (liberal) believe has helped to create greater equality within relationships?
Increased choice for women and rose of dual-earner households
What evidence does Somerville (liberal) believe shows heterosexual families will not disappear?
High figures for remarriage suggesting high need for intimacy and compassion
What does Somerville (liberal) believe feminists need to focus on?
Policies which will encourage greater equality within relationships
What is Somerville’s work based on?
Secondary analysis of previous works - not backed up by empirical evidence
How do radical feminists criticise Somerville (liberal)?
Argue she fails to deal with patriarchal structures and culture in modern family life
What do Marxists acknowledge?
Women are exploited in marriage and family life
What do Marxists emphasise?
Relationship between capitalism and the family
What do Marxists see the exploitation of women as?
A key feature of family life
Benston (Marxist) quote
‘Amount of unpaid labours performed by women is very large and very profitable to those who own means of production’
Why does women’s unpaid work ultimately end up benefiting the capitalist class according to Marxist feminists?
Because they only have to pay one person in the family
What does the women do for free according to Marxist feminists?
Keeps the man going as a worker and reproduces next generation of workers
Quote from Ansley (Marxist feminist)
“When wives play their traditional role as takers of shit, they often absorb their husband’s legitimate anger and frustration at their own powerlessness”
What is Marxist feminist a more critical view of?
Parsons ‘warm bath theory’
What does traditional nuclear family reproduce for the ruling class (Marxist feminism)?
Reproduces cheap labour for the ruling class
What does traditional nuclear family teach (Marxist feminist)?
Teachers ideas that capitalist class require for their future workers to be passive
What does Feeley believe about the family (Marxist feminist)?
It’s an authoritarian unit dominated by the husband
What do we need to tackle in order to tackle patriarchy (Marxist feminism)?
Capitalism
Why does Morgan criticise Marxist feminism?
Because the traditional nuclear family is coming less equal
What does Marxist feminism ignore?
Fact that women have made progress
What do radical feminists argue?
All relationships between men and women are based on patriarchy
What are men the cause of (radical)?
Men are the cause of women’s exploitation and oppression
What needs to be overturned (radical)?
The entire patriarchal system including the family which is seen as the root of women’s oppression
What is radical feminism against?
Liberal feminism
What does the family remain (radical)?
It remains patriarchal as women have acquired ‘dual burden’ of domestic work and paid work
What do women suffer from (radical)?
‘Triple shift’ where they have to do paid work, domestic work and ‘emotion work’
What does radical feminism ignore?
Progress made by women
Domestic abuse suffered by men who often don’t report it
How is radical feminism too unrealistic?
Separatism is unlikely due heterosexual attraction
What does Greer argue (radical)?
That the family continues to disadvantage women
What does Greer focus on?
Role of women as wives, mothers and daughters
What does Greer believe there is a strong ideology suggesting?
Strong ideology suggesting that being a wife is the most important female role
What does Greer believe is mirrored in most marriages?
Inequality
What does Greer believe marriage reinforces?
Patriarchal relations
What fraction of divorces are initiated by women?
3/4
What isn’t valued in society according to Greer?
Motherhood
What is attention focused on during childbirth according to Greer?
The well-being of the child
What are women expected to do after giving birth according to Greer?
Return to work and regain their figuren
What are daughters quite likely to experience according to Greer?
Sexual abuse from their fathers, step-fathers and other relatives
What does Greer make (criticism)?
Sweeping generalisations not backed up by evidence
How does Somerville criticise Greer?
Says she doesn’t take into account progress made by women
How does Postmodernist theory criticise feminism?
Says family life doesn’t always produce inequality and exploitation
