Feminist Explanations of Inequality Flashcards
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Exam Intro
Gender difference forms a major source of inequality within society
Much of British culture is shaped by men: contribution by women = often overlooked
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Key Points & Theorists
Barron & Norris - Dual Labour Market Theory
Bradley (DLMT Eval)
Liberal Feminism - Oakley / Lees & Sharpe
Marx Feminism - Benston / Ansley
Radical Feminism - Delphey / Johnson
Walby - Triple System Theory
Hakim - Preference Theory
Reductionist Evaluation
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Barron & Norris - Theory
DUAL LABOUR MARKET THEORY
Economy = divided into 2 sectors
Primary Sector - Secure, well-paid jobs dominated by white men
Secondary Sector - Low-paid, unskilled, part-time, insecure, 0 hour contract jobs dominated by women & ethnic minorities
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Barron & Norris - Effect of Dual Labour Market
Women & ethnic minorities = less likely to gain the status primary employees have because employers often have sexist & beliefs
On the basis of those beliefs: employers may practise discrimination against them when they apply for jobs / deny them extra responsibilities & promotion
Process of social closure @ work
Creates barriers for women @ ethnic minorities
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Barron & Norris Example
E.g. Unsuitability of women workers: women’s work may be interrupted by pregnancy / childcare - less likely to train / promote women
Legal & political frameworks protecting women & ethnic minorities from prejudice in the workplace is relatively weak
E.g. 950 cases of employer racism was investigated by employer tribunals between 2010 - 2011
Only 16% of cases were successful
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Barron & Norris - Evaluation
BRADLEY - Fails to explain inequalities that exist within the same sector
Teaching: primary sector yet women within this profession are less likely than men to gain high status jobs within teaching
Less likely to become a part of the senior leadership within schools
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Liberal Feminism - Views
REFORMISTS
Gender role socialisation has created a sexual division of labour
- Optimistic about the future
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Liberal Feminism - Theories
Oakley - the Mother Housewife role has been responsible for the subordination of women in the workforce
- female professional workers are 3x less likely to be married than male equals
Lees & Sharpe - gender stratification is becoming less of a problem in the UK
Education & careers are increasing priorities for young women
- Young women have reported enjoying educational success recently
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Liberal Feminism - Evaluation
:( - The reason why males dominate females is not explained
:( - Theory implies that all females and males passively accept the gender identity assigned to them
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Marxist Feminism - Views
Capitalism causes the subordination of women
Women are reserve army of labour - Available pool of vulnerable workers who are easily hired and fired
- Provide cheap labour in times of economic growth
- Disposed of in times of economic recession
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Marxist Feminism - Theories
Benston - Women’s domestic role is important in maintaining the capitalist society
→ The housewife provides emotional support for the partner to enable him to return to work refreshed
Ansley - The woman soaks up the frustration men build up in their exploitative jobs
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Marxist Feminism - Evaluation
:( - Implies that women would not be subordinate to men if capitalism disappeared
→ Ignores the exploitative nature of the patriarchy
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Walby - Theory
TRIPLE SYSTEM THEORY
Private & public patriarchy exist (women are disadvantaged in both)
Three systems of oppression exist that affect women
- Subordination
- Oppression
- Exploitation
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Walby - 3 Systems of Oppression
- Subordination
Institutions such (family / media / education / etc) are patriarchal and as a result produce unequal relations between the genders - Oppression
Men discriminate against women on the basis of stereotypes - Exploitation
Men exploit women’s labour (especially in the home where they are under-rewarded for their labour)
Feminist Explanations of Inequality:
Hakim - Theory
PREFERENCE THEORY
Feminist writers have misled society (what they say is not true)
- Women are not victims at home or in work: they have made a rational choices about employment, often choosing to stay home to look after their children and home
