feminism

Question 1

what do liberal feminist argue and believe ?

Answer 1

• Argues that men and women are both rational beings and deserve equal rights and freedoms.
• Sees women’s subordination as a result of unequal access to rights and opportunities, not deep structural conflict.
• Belief in gradual, legal change rather than revolution. And that social progress can be achieved through laws, policies, and education.
• Gender equality can be promoted by Anti discrimination laws and equal opportunities in education and work
• Traditional gender stereotypes (e.g., “women are emotional, men are rational”) must be challenged. And that these stereotypes legitimate gender roles and inequality.
• Promote non-traditional role models (e.g., women in STEM, men doing domestic work). Change starts in institutions like education, media, and family

Question 2

What is Liberal Feminist view on the division of labor?

Answer 2

• Rejects biological or natural basis for this division.
• Believes both men and women are capable of both roles.
• Traditional gender roles are socially constructed and restrictive for both sexes.

Question 3

Eval of Liberal Feminist

Answer 3

• Too overoptimistic, Believes gender inequality can be overcome through gradual reform and legal/policy changes. And assumes progress is inevitable (“march of progress”). Sees problems as individual prejudice or outdated laws, not as embedded in the structure of society
• Ignores structural causes , Critics argue liberal feminism ignores deeper systems like Patriarchy – male dominance across all areas of life.
• Walby (1997): Liberal feminists fail to explain the overall structure of gender inequality.

Question 4

What do Radical feminist believe ?

Answer 4

• All men oppress all women, benefiting from their unpaid labor and sexuality.
• Men control women through violence, fear, and constructed sexuality.
• Sexuality is socially constructed to serve male interests
• They believe that Women should live independently for example, Greer argues for creation of all female households
• Women-only groups to foster shared experiences and political action.

Question 5

Eval of Radical feminism

Answer 5

• Highlights male violence, control in private life, and sexual oppression. Challenges the myth of equality in personal relationships
• However they Ignore class, race, and culture and assumes all women experience the same oppression.
• Offers unrealistic solutions such as Seperatism
• Focuses only on male violence and ignores abuse by women or in lesbian relationships

Question 6

What do Marxist feminist believe ?

Answer 6

• Root of women’s oppression: Capitalism, not outdated ideas (liberal feminism) or male power alone (radical feminism

Question 7

What functions do womens subordination do for capitalism ?

Answer 7

• Cheap Labour, they can be paid less due to assumed dependency on husbands
• Reserve Army of Labour: Used during economic booms, pushed out during recessions.
• Reproduction of Labour: Through child-rearing and care for workers (husbands), unpaid.
• Absorbing Male Anger: Wives are emotional outlets for men’s workplace frustration (Fran Ansley: “takers of shit”). This is used to justify male violence on women

Question 8

What does Barret argue ?

Answer 8

• Barrett added ideology (ideas and beliefs) as a crucial part of how women stay oppressed.
• argues that familism, which is the belief that the nuclear family is normal, Makes women believe that their role as wives and mothers is the most meaningful or ‘right’ path and this hides the fact that this role often benefits capitalism more than it benefits them.
• Argues that it justifies why women do unpaid housework and stay economically dependent on men.
• for example A woman may not question her unpaid domestic work because she believes that being a “good mother” or “good wife” is what makes her valuable.
• if capitalism was overthrown, Barrett says women would not be liberated unless we also:
  Challenge and change the ideology that tells women the nuclear family is the only valid path
  Encourage equal domestic roles and multiple life choices for women

Question 9

What does Mitchell argue ?

Answer 9

• Femininity – the traits and roles we associate with being female (like being caring, quiet, maternal) – is not natural, but is socially constructed.
• These ideas are implanted deep in women’s unconscious minds during childhood.
• She uses Freuds theory to show From a young age, girls are taught to see themselves as inferior to boys,
  these internalised beliefs shape their desires, decisions, and identity – even if they’re not fully aware of it.
• This is done through socialisation, in family, media and school

Question 10

Eval of Marxist feminist

Answer 10

• They give greater attention to structural issues (like economic systems) than liberal feminists do.
• Fails to explain oppression in non-capitalist societies
  → Women’s subordination exists in all types of societies, not just capitalist ones. This suggests capitalism is not the only cause of inequality.
• Marxist feminism underestimates how men themselves (including working-class men) gain from women’s oppression — especially in the home.