Feminsim

• Feminists link inequality between age groups to gender inequality. Therefore patriarchy causes inequalities within age groups as women of certain ages are more likely to be disadvantaged.
• Name the different sociologists that give views on age inequalities that link with gender:

  1. Oakley + Firestone --> mutal oppression
  2. Gannon --> older women have accumulated influences
  3. Itzin + Wolfe --> cosmeticisation
  4. Arber & Ginn --> "double discrimination"
• Oakley: Position of women

  She focuses on childhood; she compares it to the position of women. Noting that children and women both lack legal rights, power, financial control, and social status.
• Who concluded that an understanding of women and children shows "mutual dependence and interdependence and mutual oppression"?

  Oakley
• Oakely concludes that an understanding of women and children shows: “mutual dependence and interdependence and mutual oppression
• Who adds to Oakley's points about the position of women and children?

  Firestone
• Firestone: notes that children and women are locked together in mutual patriarchal oppression.
• Who criticises Oakley for linking females and children?

  Wyness
• Wyness criticises Oakley for linking female and child inequalities:

  This is because he points out that both men and women have power over children. Concluding that "ultimately patriarchy is a system governed by gender, not age-related structures."
• Wyness: "Ultimately, patriarchy is a system governed by gender, not age - related structures."
• Who said older women are more likely to be in poverty due to the accumulation of sexism, patriarchal structures, and poverty?

  Gannon
• Gannon: Patriarchy and ageing

  While others claim gender differences in ageing are presented as biological facts (e.g., women living longer causing them to be in poverty, etc.). Gannon claims that gender differences are caused by social influences. Such as the accumulation of sexism, patriarchy, and poverty for older women.
• Who mentions that women's ageing is viewed negatively in society?

  Gannon
• Gannon: Patriarchy and ageing

  Also mentions that aspects of women's ageing are viewed negatively by society, e.g., going through menopause making women highly emotional and "irrational.". She argues this stems from the ideology that women are no longer useful to men once they pass through menopause. This is a result of the patriarchy.
• Why is Gannon's first point around older women being in poverty due to accumulated social influences criticised?

  the National Inequality Panel; shows female incomes rising for all age groups over 25. Meaning no longer suffer from accumulated influences such as sexism (out dated theory).
• Critics of Gannon's view that older women are in poverty due to accumulated influences like sexism:

  Some may point out that Gannon seems to think gender is more important than age; for example, it could be that women are overrepresented in poverty through outliving men/biology rather than gender.
• Who adds to Gannon's second point about women ageing being viewed negatively by society?


  Itzin -> “cosmeticisation”
• Itzin: the patriarchy and ageing

  She notes that older women feel pressure to fight signs of ageing through “cosmeticisation” to improve appearances
• Wolf adds that cosmeticisation effects elder women because of what?

  Essentially, women have to look young to retain status in society.
• Who supports Itzin's point around cosmeticisation?

  Wolf
• Wolf further supports Itzin's view (cosmeticisation), adding that older women have to try and retain sexual attractiveness by remaining "young looking" in order to be treated as equals for men.
• Who stated that older women experience "double discrimination"?

  Arber & Ginn
• Arber & Ginn: Older women experience “double-discrimination” in the work place due to the impact of both sexism and ageism
• Itzin's point around cosmetication is supported by what stat?

  1. The fact that women account for 93% of all cosmetic procedures in the UK, while men account for 7%.
  2. In addition to this stat 46% of those who have had cosmetic procedures were aged 35-50 years old.
• Why are Itzin's + Wolf's points around cosmeticsation and pressure to remain young / attractive to be equal criticised?

  Some feminists argue that the pressure on women concerning their appearance is not exclusive to older women. (All women experience this patriarchal oppression).