Theory

Question 1

Liberal feminism

Answer 1

Tackle inequality by utilising existing systems such as legal reform.
Legal changes have impacted on many aspects of womens lives - education, family, work, stratification.
Despite notable success, inequality still exists and has evolved to take newer forms that liberal feminism continues to challenge.

Question 2

Marxist feminism

Answer 2

Women are exploited by both capitalism and men (dual exploitation):

• reserve army of labour
• women absorb mens frustrations
• women exploited through domestic labour

Men control the workforce and womens part in the workforce.

Inequality in the workplace, but changes have occurred with feminisation of workplace.

Question 3

Radical feminism

Answer 3

Patriarchy is present in all aspects of society, recent changes are superficial and token gestures.

Female separatism and female supremacists are extreme variations.

Millet - women controlled physically, psychologically and ideologically by men.

Ignore processes and intersections between womens lives.

Question 4

Marxist key concepts

Answer 4

Conflict theory - conflict between the ruling class and the working class over the control of resources.

Ruling class exploit the labour of the working class in order to maximise profits. This is because the RC own the forces of production that are needed to produce goods.

Working class only own their own labour, and are looking to achieve the highest wages possible for their labour.

Question 5

Karl Marx

Answer 5

Society divided into two classes as a result of capitalism - proletariat and bourgeoisie.

Marx suggested that the bourgeoisie were able to maintain control as it controlled the economic base (society’s infrastructure) which meant it also controlled the superstructure of society. (Social, cultural and political institutions).

Members of the working class are alienated from the product of their labour.

Society would become increasingly polarised until the proletariat realise its exploitation.

Question 6

Antonio Gramsci

Answer 6

Ruling class maintains dominance in society through hegemony - political and moral beliefs passed down though social institutions to justify ruling class dominance.

Gramsci suggested that many members of the working class were aware of this - dual consciousness.

Question 7

Louis Althusser

Answer 7

Ideological state apparatus - control over the way in which individuals think, meaning less likely to challenge ruling classes - family, education, media, religion. In education this is achieved through the myth of meritocracy, where children are encouraged with opportunities whilst simultaneously denying them access to education through material deprivation.

Repressive state apparatus - used if people fail to conform to ISA. Uses force to control those who do not conform - police, legal system, armed forces.

Question 8

Criticisms of Marxism

Answer 8

Elliot (2009) - People are not ‘cultural dopes’ and are aware of their exploitation.

Economic determinism - other social factors are more important.

Weber - revolution never happened as society was not polarised but instead the middle class expanded.

Question 9

Functionalism

Answer 9

Structural consensus theory

Society is shaped by social institutions that socialise its members into norms and values of society.

Society is harmonious because of a value consensus and a collective consciousness.

Society fulfils the functional pre-requisites of its individual members.

• goal attainment
• adaptation
• integration
• latent functions
  
  • pattern maintenance
  • tension management

Question 10

Postmodernity

Answer 10

Era that follows on from modernity

Globalisation and increased access to knowledge have challenged old metanarratives of society.

Increased diversity and choice - greater tolerance of ‘others’ and individual choices over lifestyles.

Increased hybridity - merging of cultures and development of new ones.

Influence of globalisation - crime, education, family, culture, media, religion.

People no longer believe in one truth
( big stories ).

People try to develop their own perspectives on events.

Solutions to problems are small scale rather than all encompassing.

Death of social and rise of individualism. Signs and symbols in society have meanings of their own that we cannot distinguish from reality.

We see images that are often an illusion of reality.

People question the role of experts. Covid 19, climate change.

Question 11

Social action theories

Answer 11

Theories that focus upon the meanings and interpretations that individuals assign to actions.

Assumes that individuals have free will to act and will differ in their interpretations of events.

Question 12

Conflict VS consensus theories

Answer 12

Consensus theories such as functionalism suggest that there is an agreement on the shared norms and values of society.

Conflict theories, such as Marxism and feminism suggest that there is a conflict between two or more competing parties over access to power and resources.

Both structural theories - society shapes individuals behaviour.

• social institutions have a key role in socialising people into norms and values of society.
• individuals are subjected to formal and informal control through social institutions.
• social processes, such as socialisation are responsible for the behaviour of individuals.

Social institutions act as socialising agents:

• functionalism sees this as beneficial to all in society
• Marxism sees it as beneficial to the ruling class
• feminism sees it as beneficial to maintaining patriarchy

Consensus theories suggest that society is meritocratic and those with the right attributes dictate what norms and values are.
Conflict theories suggest power is the key factor in setting norms and values.

In education:

~ Consensus:

• teaching specialist skills
• social solidarity
• socialising into norms and values

~ Conflict:

• teaching skills required for work or specific gender roles
• hegemonic and patriarchal ideals
• socialised into gendered norms and values or being taught to reject own culture
• differences in achievement between those on FSM and not on FSM

In crime:

~ Consensus:

• crime is a sign of dysfunction in society
• socialisation of groups
• rejecting norms and values
• not conforming or showing commitment to society

~ Conflict:

• excessive focus on crimes of poor
• maintaining social control over working class and women
• misrepresentation of groups within criminal statistics