Feminist Perspective

• The nuclear family has been criticized by feminists as being oppressive to women because it reinforces traditional gender roles.
• Women are expected to be responsible for domestic tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare, while men are expected to work outside the home and earn money.
• Feminists argue that the family is patriarchal, with men having power over women.
• Feminism is the belief that men and women are equal, but there have been different waves of feminism with varying perspectives on what equality means.
• What do most feminists agree about gender?

  Gender is socially constructed.
• How are gender roles learned according to feminists?

  They are learned through socialization in the family.
• What evidence do feminists provide for gender being socially constructed?

  Different societies construct the concept of being a "woman" in various ways.
• What are the three main branches of Feminism discussed in relation to the family?

  • Liberal Feminism
  • Marxist Feminism
  • Radical Feminism
• What do feminists criticize about the traditional nuclear family?

  They argue it oppresses women by enforcing gender roles.
• How do feminists view the family in terms of patriarchal values?

  As a breeding ground for patriarchal values.
• What are the two key functions of the nuclear family that feminists argue oppress women?

  Socializing girls into subservient roles and boys into superiority.
• What do Marxist feminists believe is the main cause of women's oppression in the family?

  Capitalism, not men.
• What is one function of women's domestic labor according to Marxist feminists?

  To reproduce the labor force.
• How do women help maintain capitalism according to Marxist feminists?

  By socializing children to accept authority.
• Who is a key thinker associated with Marxist feminism?

  Fran Ansley.
• What does the term "reserve army of cheap labor" refer to in Marxist feminism?

  Women are available for low-wage work when needed.
• What does Fran Ansley argue about women's role in the family?

  Women absorb the anger of their male partners.
• What does Laurie Penny argue about neoliberal capitalism and women?

  It encourages women to seek empowerment through consumerism.
• What is a criticism of Marxist feminism regarding women's oppression?

  Women's oppression existed before capitalism.
• What is the "dual burden" as described by radical feminists?

  Women have to manage both paid work and unpaid domestic work.
• What solutions do Marxist feminists propose to address gender inequalities?

  Campaigning for better pay and valuing domestic work.
• What do radical feminists believe about the nuclear family?

  It is the foundation of patriarchy and should be abolished.
• What is the "triple shift" according to some radical feminists?

  Women perform paid work, domestic work, and emotional labor.
• What do radical feminists advocate for as a solution to gender inequality?

  Abolition of the traditional nuclear family.
• What does Kate Millett argue about the family in relation to patriarchy?

  The family is a chief institution of patriarchy.
• What evidence supports the existence of the dual burden and triple shift?

  Women do twice as much childcare and 64% more domestic chores than men.
• What do liberal feminists believe is the primary cause of gender inequalities?

  Injustices in the public sphere rather than in the home.
• What was a major issue for women prior to 1972 according to liberal feminists?

  The lack of equal pay in work.
• What are two current issues faced by women according to liberal feminists?

  Stereotypical subject domains in education and unequal maternity/paternity pay.
• What do liberal feminists believe about the role of the family in gender inequality?

  Liberal feminists do not emphasize the role of the family in perpetuating gender inequality as much as Marxist or Radical feminists.
• According to liberal feminists, what primarily causes gender inequalities?

  Gender inequalities are primarily caused by inequalities in the public sphere rather than in the home.
• What was the main problem for women prior to 1972?

  The main problem was the lack of equal pay in work between men and women.
• What are two current problems identified by liberal feminists regarding women's employment?

  Stereotypical subject domains in education and unequal maternity and paternity pay.
• How does unequal maternity and paternity pay affect women's employment?

  It encourages women to take more time off work than men following the birth of a new child.
• What solutions do liberal feminists propose to achieve greater equality of opportunity?

  They focus on achieving equal access to education, equal pay, and ending gender differences in subject and career choice.
• What is the significance of legal changes in liberal feminist theory?

  Legal changes are seen as a way to achieve equal opportunities for women in the public sphere.
• What progress has been made towards equality in the public sphere according to liberal feminists?

  There has been enormous progress, but further 'tweaking' is needed in certain areas like higher managerial positions.
• What are two social policies supported by liberal feminists?

  The 2015 shared parental leave act and the forthcoming 2024 act providing free childcare for children down to 9 months of age.
• Who is a key thinker associated with liberal feminism?

  Jennifer Somerville.
• How does Somerville's critique of the family differ from that of Marxist or Radical feminists?

  Somerville provides a less radical critique and suggests modest policy reforms rather than revolutionary change.