A Feminist Perspective on the Family

Question 1

Outline Marxist Feminism.

Answer 1

• Ansley (1972) ~ capitalism has stripped male workers of dignity and power in the workplace making them bored by the tedious nature of their work ~ this is then absorbed by their female partner.
• Lack of purpose at work leads to domestic violence and child abuse as power is attempted to be asserted elsewhere.
• Labour is exploited by the ruling class.
• Women’s unpaid, domestic labour helps make a healthy and productive male workforce.
• Argued that men should be paid for work and also for the unpaid work of wives making them productive.

Question 2

What are some criticisms of Marxist Feminism?

Answer 2

• The nuclear family doesn’t just benefit the ruling class

- It isn’t just the women doing the domestic labour at home but the majority are.

Question 3

Outline Radical Feminism.

Answer 3

• The nuclear family produces gender inequality ~ boys and girls are socialised within their families to behave like their mothers/fathers which reproduces sex roles.
• A woman’s role in the nuclear family is to flatter her husband and provide him with emotional support whilst getting little in return.
• Instead of the nuclear family, it is argued that women should rely on IVF rather than me to reproduce.

Question 4

What are some criticisms of Radical Feminism?

Answer 4

• Lots of relationships work together
• Women aren’t still the only ones responsible for domestic labour ~ it is more equally shared nowadays
• Divorces are easier to get so women have more freedom and don’t have to be trapped in a marriage ~ 2/3 starts of divorced are brought up by women

Question 5

Outline Liberal Feminism.

Answer 5

They have a problem with the nuclear family:

• Contributes to gender role socialisation ~ often teaches girls that they may be family bound in the future
• Lots of positive changes: rise of service sector jobs ~ economic power which lead to the genderquake
• Legal changes: divorces are easier to attain ~ women have more freedom

Question 6

What is a criticism of Liberal Feminism?

Answer 6

The positivity and optimism is often accused of reflecting only the experiences of white, middle class, professional women by Difference Feminists