feminism

Question 1

liberal feminists AO1

Answer 1

-focus efforts on campaigning on issues e.g equal pay
-most moderate group of feminists
-believe there is still gender equality but it is gradually challenged
-views correspond with Young and Willmott’s view of symmetrical family

Question 2

liberal feminists AO2

Answer 2

-measures needing to be improved : changing parent practises, establishing equal pay, equality in maternity and paternity leave, cheaper childcare, shared housework and stronger action against domestic violence

Question 3

liberal feminists evaluation

Answer 3

-fails to acknowledge the extent of gender inequality, their proposals don’t tackle the fundamental inequalities that women face as a result of patriarchy
-represents interests of middle class professional women rather than working class women

Question 4

marxist feminists AO1

Answer 4

-believe capitalism is the main source of women’s oppression
-women perform 3 key functions for capitalism:
1 reproducing labour force = cook and clean and socialise people all without pay
2 a reserve army of cheap labour = can be taken on in times of need and let go when no longer needed
3 women absorb anger - Ansley describes women as takers of shit and emotional punch bags to soak up male frustration

Question 5

marxist feminists AO2

Answer 5

in order to improve position of women they believe family should be abolished at the same time as a communist revolution abolishes the class system

Question 6

marxist feminists evaluation

Answer 6

-they hold a false assumption when they argue that a communist revolution would eliminate gender inequalities e.g in China women are still regarded as inferior as evidenced in the one child policy and a preference for boys

Question 7

radical feminists AO1

Answer 7

hold the most extreme view on female exploitation and see patriarchy at the heart of all human societies

Question 8

radical feminists AO2

Answer 8

believe the family must be abolished and advocate separatism - Greer argues for all-female households as an alternative to the heterosexual family

Question 9

radical feminists AO3

Answer 9

-represents ideas of a small minority of females
-ideas have led to awareness of alternative lifestyles and influenced change in social attitudes
-political lesbianism suggest lesbianism is a choice so may be insulting and socially sensitive

Question 10

difference feminists AO1

Answer 10

its not possible to make generalised claims about ways in which women are oppressed, women across the world have different experiences in the family

Question 11

difference feminists AO2

Answer 11

heterosexual and lesbian women experience families in different ways, middle and working class experience different

Question 12

difference feminists AO3

Answer 12

ignores the fact that despite differences many share similar experiences e.g women are at greater risk of domestic violence and sexual assault than men and most likely to be in low-paid jobs