Feminists & Personal Life

• What is the feminist view of the family, particularly the nuclear family?

  Feminists see the family in negative terms, believing it oppresses women and benefits men.
• What do Marxist feminists argue is the main cause of women's oppression?

  Marxist feminists argue that capitalism, not men, is the main cause of women's oppression.
• How do women contribute to capitalism according to Marxist feminists?

  Women reproduce the labor force by caring for and socializing the next generation of workers.
• What role do Marxist feminists believe women play as a 'pressure valve' in society?

  Women absorb men's anger that may otherwise be directed at the ruling class.
• Who proposed the idea that domestic violence is an outlet for men's frustration with workplace exploitation?

  Ansley (1972) proposed that domestic violence serves as an outlet for men's frustration.
• What is the concept of women as a 'reserve army' of labor in Marxist feminism?

  Women are employed flexibly as cheap labor when needed by the ruling class.
• What do Marxist feminists believe is necessary for achieving full equality?

  They believe full equality can only be achieved by abolishing the family and replacing capitalism with communism.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Marxist feminism in explaining family functions?

  Strengths:

  • Highlights the interaction between gender and class.

  Weaknesses:

  • Ignores positive aspects of family life.
  • Fails to explain lone-parent and dual-earner families' dynamics.
• What do radical feminists argue is the main cause of women's oppression?

  Radical feminists argue that men are the main cause of women's oppression.
• How do radical feminists view the family and marriage?

  They view the family and marriage as institutions that exploit women and benefit men.
• What do radical feminists believe is necessary for women to be 'free'?

  They believe women can only be free through revolutionary change by abolishing the family.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of radical feminism in explaining family dynamics?

  Strengths:

  • Highlights domestic and sexual abuse as a means of maintaining male power.

  Weaknesses:

  • Ignores recent equality breakthroughs, such as better access to divorce and more women in paid work.
• What does difference feminism emphasize regarding women's experiences of family life?

  Difference feminism emphasizes that women's experiences vary according to sexuality, ethnicity, social class, and age.
• How do middle-class households differ in terms of gender equality according to difference feminism?


  Middle-class households tend to be more equal compared to other family types.
• How do black feminists view the black family?

  Black feminists see the black family positively as a support system against racism.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of difference feminism in understanding family life?

  Strengths:

  • Highlights diverse experiences of women based on various factors.

  Weaknesses:

  • Ignores shared risks many women face, such as low pay and domestic violence.
• What is the 'march of progress' view in liberal feminism?

  Liberal feminists advocate for evolutionary change to improve women's positions in society.
• How do liberal feminists believe gender inequality in the family can be overcome?

  They believe it can be overcome through legal changes and challenging stereotypes.
• What social policies do liberal feminists advocate for to encourage gender equality?

  They advocate for 'family friendly' policies like flexible working and extended paternity leave.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of liberal feminism in addressing women's issues?

  Strengths:

  • Highlights progress for women, such as the Equal Pay Act.

  Weaknesses:

  • Ignores deeper causes of women's oppression, as argued by Marxist and radical feminists.
• How does the personal life perspective differ from structural approaches in sociology?

  The personal life perspective focuses on individual meanings rather than wider societal functions of families.
• What do Duncan & Phillips (2013) suggest about the meanings attached to 'living apart together'?

  They suggest that some choose to live apart for personal reasons, while others may be constrained by financial issues.
• What types of relationships does the personal life perspective consider significant?

  • Relationships based on blood or marriage.
  • Fictive kin (close friends treated as relatives).
  • Gay and lesbian 'chosen families'.
  • Relationships with deceased relatives that shape identities.
• What did Nordqvist and Smart (2014) find regarding donor-conceived children?

  They found that social relationships were often emphasized over genetic ones in forming family bonds.
• What concerns might lesbian parents have regarding donor conception?

  They may have concerns about equality between the genetic and non-genetic mothers.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the personal life perspective in understanding family relationships?

  Strengths:

  • Recognizes personal meanings in relationship formation.
  • Aids in understanding how people define their relationships.

  Weaknesses:

  • May take too broad a view of family, losing sight of unique aspects of blood or marriage relationships.
• What criticisms do the personal life perspective make of traditional family theories?

  • Assumes nuclear family is the dominant form.
  • Neglects human action and individual agency in family relationships.
  • Focuses on social structure over personal meanings.
• What do postmodernists argue about the understanding of families?

  • No single approach can provide a total understanding of families.
  • All knowledge is uncertain, leading to a reductionist view in traditional theories.
• What are some suggested readings for further understanding of sociology related to families?

  Webb R et al. (2015), Webb R & Trobe K. (2015), and Browne K. (2015) are suggested readings.
• What is the format for AS and A Level sociology exam questions?

  • AS questions: 40 marks, 1.30 minutes per mark.
  • A Level questions: 40 marks, 1.30 minutes per mark.