Feminism Flashcards
What are feminists studying the family generally concerned about?
Domestic labour
Emotional labour
Male domination (patriarchy)
Economic dependency
What kind of theorists are feminists?
Conflict theorists
What do liberal feminists believe is the main cause of women’s oppression?
Inequalities between men and women in society.
Culture and attitudes of individuals within society
Socialisation into gender roles
What is the aim of liberal feminists?
Moderate aims
Aim for gradual change in the political, economic and social systems of western society in the hope of achieving equal rights for women.
Do not seek revolutionary change, but want reforms to take place within existing social structure and through the democratic system
What do liberal feminists believe in?
The creation of equal opportunities and gaining rights through legislation.
Eg. The sex discrimination act (1975)
Equal opportunities act (1970/75)
Why do liberal feminists suggest that neither sex benefit from gender inequality?
Men in the workforce do not develop close bonds with children as paternity leave is not mandatory
Women are not able to develop their full potential in the workplace
What do Marxist feminists believe is the main cause of women’s oppression?
Capitalism and the economy
Sexual division of labour - women responsible for domestic work and childcare
Women are economically dependent on men, experience a lack of control over financial resources
How does women’s position in the family make women a target for capitalist exploitation?
Women given poorly paid, part time, low status jobs
Regarded as being financially dependent on their husbands
Ann Oakley
Sexual division of labour means women are expected to be responsible for domestic work and childcare
Women become economically dependent on men
Women experience lack of control over financial resources
Women expected to please techie husbands
Veronica BEECHEY
Women are regarded as dependent on men
Payed wages that would not be enough to live on - keeps women dependent on men
Irene BREUGAL
Reserve army of labour - easy to hire and fire
Women’s unemployment is easier to disguise, real place of work is as a housewife
Margaret BENSTON
Capitalism gets two workers for the price of one
Don’t have to pay men for services that women provide - cooking and cleaning
ANSLEY
Families function is to stabilise adult personalities
Emotional support provided by the wife is seen as a safety valve for the frustration of the husband due to working in a capitalist system
“Takers of shit”
What do radical feminists regard as the main reason for woman’s oppression?
Patriarchy and the role of men oppressing women
There is a conflict between all men and women - results from patriarchy
‘The personal is political’ dominated in public sphere and and oppressed in their private lives and relationships
What is the link between the public and private sphere?
Laws on abortion - women not deemed responsible enough to have control over their own bodies
Status of wives - lose their name on marriage
