Feminism

• feminism is a conflict theory that looks at power inequality in society. they take a structural and macro approach with a focus on how gender has an impact on people's lives
• the 3 types of feminism include: liberal, radical and marxist
• oakley is the key name for liberal feminism. she argues the cause of oppression is gender socialisation and that legal reform is the solution
• greer is the key name for radical feminism. they argue the patriarchy is the cause of oppression and that seperatism is the solution
• ansley is the key name for marxist feminism. they argue capitalism is the cause of oppression and that communism if the solution
• oakley (lib fem) argues that the stereotypes placed on children at a young age that socialise us into certain behaviours and characteristics is oppressive
• Oakley argues the housewife role has only appeared since the industrial revolution, and before women worked different jobs, however the increase of laws prevented women from working in factories and so they became trapped at home and financially depenant on their husbands. she argues the housewife role is not biological (like Parson's argues) but it is a social construct that oppresses women
• liberal feminists like oakley argue we need to challenge stereotypes and remove gender discrimination through legal reform. progress has been made through the equal pay act and equality act which especially helsp in the workplace
• oakley argues there needs to be more legal reform as she believes that the housewife role is still seen as the main role of women in society - childcare, cleaning, nursing etc.
• evaluation of liberal feminism - radical and marxist feminists argue small, gradual changes in law isnt enough to stop oppression, it is too widespread in society for little changes to make a difference. they argue we need a revolution to solve women's oppression
• radical feminists argue the structure of society is patriachal and so it benefits men and is highly oppressive to women
• greer is a radical feminist who argues marriage benefits men and oppresses women. she found that married men were happier than unmarried men, and that married women were less happy than unmarried women
• Greer argues the only way to avoid being oppressed by men is to be seperate. she argues any relationship with men is inherently oppressive and so women need to live in matrilocal households where the only adults are women so you cannot be oppressed by men. you can still have romantic relationships men as long as you dont live with them
• other radical feminists take the concept of separatism further and argue for political lesbianism, where any romantic relationship with men should be avoided. any women who have a sexual relationship with men are 'collaborating with the enemy'
• evaluation of radical feminism - liberal and marxist feminists disagree as they beileve that men are also oppressed either by gender socialisation or capitalism and therefore not all men are to blame. the soultions radical feminists are impractical and unrealistic
• marxist feminists argue that oppression is an inevitable part of capitalism in terms of class and gender. they focus on how the family functions to benefit capitalism through the oppression of women.
• ansley is a marxist feminist who argues that women at home are 'takers of shit'. as men get exploited at work which causes stress and anger, capitalists need these emotions to disappear without challenging the unfair system of capitalism so its the women of the family's job to remove these negative emotions by providing a calming and restful place away from work
• ansley argues that women give birth and raise children so they are physically capable of being the next generation of workers. mothers do the primary socialisation and teach the dominant ideology (capitalism). this creates an effective and obedient workforce ready to be exploited
• marxist feminists argue that a communist revolution would eradicate both class and gender inequality that comes from capitalism as the traditional hierarchy would no longer exist, freeing women from oppression
• evaluation of marxist feminism - Hakim argues many women choose to become housewives and mothers as they enjoy it, so rather thsn women being forced into an oppressive role to support capitalism, women are making active choices to be happy and fulfilled in the housewife role
• evaluation of liberal, marxist and radical femisism - hooks is a black difference femisist who argues that the other types ignore the differences between women and only look at the white middle class western view. black women suffer the double whammy of sexism and racism and so for them, the family is actually a positive support against racism, not a source of oppression.
• however, difference feminists can be critisised for ignoring things the vast majority of women have in common such as the gender pay gap.
• the feminist viewpoint as a whole can be critised as they all disagree with eachother, and cannot agree what the problem is so they cannot make society better