Feminist views of the family

Question 1

Jenny Somerville (2000) Liberal feminism

Answer 1

She argues that other feminists overlook the positive advances women have experienced, she says a clear march of progress is taking place, for example:
• changing gender roles for women, at home and work.
• employment law now tackles the discrimination of women at work.
• in 1991 rape was officially not allowed in marriage.
Liberal feminists over exaggerate how much has changed for women - women still do most of the housework when getting back from home, also rape may be illegal in marriage however it is not truly gone.
Upskirt law was blocked in June 2018 showing not everything is going so smooth

Question 2

Germaine Greer (2000) Radical feminism

Answer 2

Family is a deeply patriarchal institution. For example:
• 1 in 4 women is victim of domestic abuse from male partner.
• Abusers within families tend to be men.
• Motherhood is hard work, but fails to truly satisfy women.
Women in families continue to face patriarchal ideology, however they fail to see this.
Radical feminism alienates women - most women reject radical feminist views as they are too extreme.
It also doesn’t recognise the positive steps that have been made by feminist movements.

Question 3

Cheshire Calhoun (1997) Postmodernist feminism

Answer 3

> Feminists too easily voice their dislike about the “family”, but ignore how the family itself disadvantages women, but rather patriarchy within most families.
claims gay and lesbian families can be highly effective in raising children and maintaining happiness among partners - however gay families have been considered “family outlaws”.
attitudes towards gay families are changing and same-sex families are increasing.
EVALUATION - does postmodern feminism add anything? critics claim that postmodern feminism fails to provide anything new, some say that it actually attacks feminism rather than supporting it!

Question 4

Fran Ansley Marxist feminist

Answer 4

Ansley claims that it is women who ensure that capitalist organisations/ businesses remain strong and successful. In particular:

• Women give birth to future capitalists workers
• women’s housekeeping role keeps family life comfortable for men
• women ‘soak up the stress of work for men
• women’s unpaid housework is a form of oppression and exploitation.

Women do not intentionally support capitalism, yet this is reality. Women are the sponge o ‘soak up’ stress of men after work.

Eval:
- She makes generalisations, improvement in the world to more equality is apparent. More women now balance time and home with paid work.