Theories Of The Family : Feminists Flashcards
What is the base view of the family from feminists ?
hey take a critical view of the family stating that it oppresses women such as the unequal division of domestic labour + domestic violence against women.
What o liberal feminists stat about the family ?
hey are concerned with campaigning against sex discrimination and equal rights + opportunities for women. hey argue that women’s oppression is being gradually overcome through changing people’s attitudes + changes in the law such as the Equal Pay Act. They believe we are moving towards grater equality but that full equality will depend on future decisions. They argue that there has been gradual progress for women in the family. Some studies suggest men are doing more domestic labour.
What are criticisms of the liberal feminists views on the family ?
Other feminist argue that liberal feminists fail to challenge the underlying causes of women’s oppression + for believing that changes in the law and people’s attitudes would solve women’s oppression ad bring gender equality. Marxists and Radical feminists believe that far-reaching changes to deep-rooted social structures are needed.
What are Marxists Feminists views on the family ?
They believe that the main cause of women’s oppression within the family is not men but capitalism. Women’s oppression benefits capitalism in many ways such as : Women reproduce the labour force, Women absorb anger from their husbands after coming home from work ensuring they don’t bring it to work affecting their work ethics, + Women are a reserve army of cheap labour. hey argue that the family should be abolished at the same time of a social revolution.
What are Radical Feminist’s views on the family ?
They argue that all societies have been founded on patriarchy, which only benefits men. hey division in society is between men and women : Men are the enemy + The family and marriage are the key institutions in patriarchal society. For radical feminists, the patriarchal system needs to be overturned. In particular, the family which they see as the root of women’s oppression. hey state that this can be done by separatism (the idea of women being able to live independently without the help of men)
What are some criticisms of Radical Feminists views on the family ?
Liberal feminist Somerville, radical feminist fail to recognise that women’s position in society has improved considerably with better access too divorce, better job opportunities, control over their own fertility and the ability to choose whether they want to marry. Somerville also argues that separation would mean mostly impossible due to heterosexual attractions.
What are Difference Feminists view on the family ?
Difference feminists argue that we cannot generalise about women’s experiences because of the variety of hype of women such as lesbian or heterosexual, white or black and W/C or U/C. By regarding the family purely negative white feminist ignore black women’s experiences of racial oppression. Instead, black feminists see black families as a support system against racism in wider society.
What are criticisms of Difference feminists views on the family ?
Other feminists argue that difference feminists neglects the fact that all women share many of the same experiences. For example, they all share the same risk of domestic violence.
