Topic 10 - feminist views of the family? Flashcards
Introduction?
Despite historically low status and limited political opportunities, women have long participated in politics, art, and society. In the 1960s, second-wave feminism, or the women’s liberation movement, emerged as a significant political and social force, led by writers like Betty Friedan and Germaine Greer. They promoted new ideas about women’s rights, such as reproductive control, influencing subsequent generations to view marriage as optional rather than a life goal. The history of feminism has sparked numerous debates both within the movement and with other sociological perspectives.
Aim?
The feminist movement emerged in the latter half of the 20th century, building on long-standing debates about gender inequality. Political campaigns have addressed these issues, expanding women’s rights and opportunities. However, many feminists argue that further changes in family structures are crucial for achieving true equality.
Feminisms?
All feminists share the belief that women face gender-based injustices and that society favors men, a system referred to as patriarchy. Most feminists argue that:
Men oppress women, including through unpaid domestic labor.
Women face unfair treatment by men in legal systems.
Violence against women is often not taken seriously by authorities.
Media stereotypes portray women as less capable than men.
Women are controlled by societal ideals of body image.
Feminism aims to raise women’s awareness of their situations, though there are various strands within the movement.
Liberal feminists?
Feminists aim to change culture and laws to achieve greater equality, viewing gender socialization as a root cause of inequality. They focus on the sexual division of labor within families, seeking to alter social norms regarding male and female roles, such as increasing women’s contributions to the family’s economic resources.
Marxist feminists?
Feminists see the family as a source of inequality, viewing women as domestic servants for men, which reflects broader capitalist inequalities. Scholars like Anne Oakley align with Marxists and sociologists in arguing that the family is a conservative institution that maintains social order.
Radical feminists?
Some feminists view men as the enemy, seeing marriage as a fantasy that allows men to control women’s behavior. They argue that the family promotes traditional gender roles, teaching girls to be expressive and boys to adopt instrumental roles.
Feminism and the family?
Feminism encompasses various theories and is more than a sociological movement, with ongoing debates about women’s domestic situations. Most feminists believe that different gender socialization in families leads to social disparities, with boys taught to be aggressive and competitive, while girls are encouraged to be domestic and obedient. These gender roles result in women having less freedom due to lower earnings and increased domestic labor. Men often control significant decisions and financial power, and some exert control over women through domestic violence, leading radical feminists to view men as “potential rapists.”
Strengths of feminism and theory of family?
Feminism critiques sociology and family studies for their male-centric bias, emphasizing the need for a female perspective. It has significantly impacted the freedoms of ordinary women, even those who don’t identify as feminists. Feminists have inspired research into daily family life, motherhood, household tasks, and emotional dynamics, serving as a counterbalance to the overly positive views of family life offered by functionalists by highlighting the oppressive roles women face within families.
Weaknesses of feminism?
Hakim argues that women are not entirely oppressed, as many appreciate domestic life. She notes that men can also be constrained by societal expectations of masculinity. Some feminist writings are extreme and hostile, suggesting all men are potential rapists. Overall, feminism lacks a unified theory, making it difficult to generalize across its various viewpoints.
