Feminism Flashcards
(20 cards)
What are the two key functions that family help to oppress women?
Socialise girls to accept subservient roles and boys to believe they are superior
Socialise women to accept housewife role as normal
What are key historical points for women?
1960s equal rights act within work place
1970 equal pay act
1918 rights given to women over 30
What do Marxist feminists argue?
Main cause of women’s oppression in the family is not men but capitalism
What does Ansley argue? (Marxist)
Women are takers of shit
They absorb anger that otherwise would be directed at capitalism
Women become victims of the exploitation of their partners like DV
What does Penny argue? (Marxist)
Neoliberal capitalism has encouraged women to seek self empowerment and freedom through consumerism
But only few women earn enough to consume their way so isn’t solution for most women
What is the reserve army of labour? (Marx)
Women are more likely to be in low paid jobs with less job security than men
They typically do work no one else wants to do at wages no one else will accept.
What are criticisms of Marxist Feminism?
Womens oppression was clearly in evidence before capitalism
Idea that women act as a reserve army of labour is less and less relevant - employment of men in UK Dec 2022 was 79% men 72% women
What do radical feminists argue?
men are the cause of women’s exploitation and oppression
nuclear family should be abolished
men use aggression to control women
What do radical feminists argue about the dark side of family life?
See marriage as a type of prison and violence is used if men don’t get their way
What does Millet argue? (Liberal)
Undoing the traditional family was the key to true sexual revolution
showed how patriarchal culture had produced writers and literacy works that were degrading women.
What are criticisms of the liberal feminist argument?
There is still evidence of the dual burden and triple shift on women
Women do 2x as much childcare than and men and spend 64% doing domestic chores
Ignores the progress that women have made,ade in many areas
What examples act as a criticism of radical feminism?
The ME TOO campaign and Harvey Weinstein scandal both show harassment and sexual abuse of women remain common
What do liberal feminists argue?
Equality can be brought about through legal reform
Men need to be educated of women’s potential
Advocate changing the system from within (lobbying and protesting)
Many couples today see relationships on equal terms
Men have found there feminine side taking a more active role in housework and childcare
What does Somerville argue? (Liberal)
Many feminists have failed to acknowledge progress for women such as the greater freedom to go into paid work and greater choice of whether their cohabit.
What are positives of Somerville? (liberal)
Recognises that significant progress has been made for both private and public life for women
More appealing to wider range of women than radical
What are criticism of liberal feminists?
Difference feminists argue it is ethnocentric view, reflects the experiences of mainly white, middle class women
What does Black argue?
White feminists have ignored the position of black women
They face dual oppression due to racism in a white society and patriarchy
What is a critism of Blacks argument?
Ignores similarities between different ethnic groups
Afro caribbean more likely to be single parents
Asian women experience more patriarchy - religious and cultural responsibilities
What are overall criticisms of the feminists views?
They all critique and challenge each other which weakens their overall message
Views are dated and there is now equal pay job opportunities
Most women don’t see men as the enemy and want to be with them and get married and have children
What do the new right argue against this view?
equality is not always a good thing
Working mothers have to juggle time with home and children and are doing more now than being just housewives
