FeminismLO: To assess the feminist

perspectives of the family. (Radical, Liberal and Marxist).

3 types of feminism

• Radical - Society is based on gender conflict.

• Liberal - Society is improving in gender equality.

• Marxist - Society is based on class conflict.

Liberal Feminism

• Use your knowledge of the domestic divisions of labour and family types to write an explanation of the liberal feminist view of the family. You should use the following:

Young and WillmottMarch of ProgressFuture Foundations (2002)Silver (1987)Schor (1993)Pahl & VoglerEqual Pay Act (1963)Sex Discrimination Act (1975)

Marxist Feminists• Women reproduce the workforce!

• Women have a ‘triple-work’ shift.

• “Women are the takers of shit” - Ansley (1972)

• Women can provide a cheap and effective workforce when required.

Women are a reserve army of labour.

It’s a woman’s job to comfort the hard working man!

What will my hard-working husband want

for tea?

Always remember . . .

• Marxist Feminism is Marxist!

• Their ideas are based upon class conflict and the role that women play in society, not about male dominated societies. (Although they do agree that society is patriarchal)

Radical Feminists• Society is patriarchal!

• Men oppress women and exploit them.

• Many radical feminists believe in ‘political lesbianism’ – not to trust any men.

• Heterosexual relationships are ‘sleeping with the enemy’ and the only way to stop the patriarchal society is to live independently.

The Family – Radical Feminist

• The Nuclear Family supports the patriarchal society.

• Men are head of the household (this is reflected in society).

• The family benefits men through: free domestic labour, emotional work & sex!

When are controlled in the family through domestic violence.

Activity!

• On your current page write how each of the following could support the radical feminist argument.

Warde and Hetherington (1993) Oakley (1974) Ferri and Smith (1996) Edgall (1980) Pahl and Vogler (1993)

Criticisms of feminists theories!

• Women’s roles are not the same in all families. (House husbands, extended families, cohabitation)

• Women do have choices. Some women enjoy becoming housewives or pursuing a career – they have a choice.

• More women have independent incomes.

• 70% of divorces are initiated by women, showing that they can leave ‘oppressive’ relationships.

Criticisms continued...

• Children have more status in families and are becoming Child Centred. It is not solely down to women to socialised children.

• Somerville (2000) – women’s position in society have greatly improved! (Symmetrical family, Equal Pay Act (1963), Sexual Discrimination Act (1975), increase in divorce rates, protection for women).

• Fill in your next section on your A3 sheet.

• The sub-heading should be Feminism.

• Ensure you include Marxist and Radical together – conflict theories.

Activity