feminist

• Feminism


  A sociological conflict theory that believes society is in constant conflict between men and women
• Feminist perspective


  • Society is patriarchal - it is based on inequalities between men and women; men are in control of society and oppress women
  • Patriarchy leads to gender inequality, which means men have more power and status than women
• Feminists and functionalists/New Right theorists

  Agree that the nuclear family performs functions, but feminists do not see these functions as positive
• Radical feminists


  Believe that the main source of oppression for women in the family is patriarchy itself
• Radical feminists believe the whole system of patriarchy needs to be abolished so that women can be free of oppression and exploitation</b>
• Nuclear family


  • Key source of oppression for women in many ways
  • First area where children are socialised into patriarchal ideology
  • Women are objectified and domestic abuse occurs
  • Men use women's bodies for their benefit
• Intersectional feminists


  Argue that there is not enough emphasis on the intersection of patriarchy with other factors such as race, religion and class
• Black feminism argues that it is important to consider racial and ethnic differences between groups of women
• Outside the nuclear family, there are other family types and structures that may be less oppressive for women, such as single parenthood
• Feminist movements have undeniably been monumental in shaping societies, advocating for equality and challenging traditionally entrenched gender norms
• Feminist push for equal responsibility has led to more equitable distribution of household chores, challenging the traditional family notion of women being solely responsible for domestic tasks
• Feminist movements have challenged traditional notions of masculinity, encouraging men to be more emotionally open and have healthier communication within families
• Feminism has been instrumental in advocating for children's rights, including their right to have their views and be protected from harm
• Feminism


  A sociological conflict theory that believes society is in constant conflict between men and women
• Feminism


  • Society is patriarchal and based on inequalities between men and women
  • Men are in control of society and oppress women
  • Patriarchy leads to gender inequality, meaning men have more power and status than women
• Feminists


  Agree with functionalism and new right theorists that the nuclear family performs functions
• Feminists


  Have a more negative view of the functions that the nuclear family performs compared to functionalists and new right theorists
• Liberal feminists


  Optimistic about achieving gender equality, believe that with adequate legal changes and changes in social attitudes, family life can be made more equal for men and women
• Changes that have positively affected women in the family


  • Gender discrimination is now illegal in employment
  • Women now have greater reproductive control and choices
  • Marital rape made illegal in 1992
  • Changes in divorce law making it easier to get a divorce
  • Rise of women in the workplace giving them greater economic power
• Significant change in attitudes of girls in 1970s compared to 1990s, with 1990s girls more committed to education and career-centered rather than family-centered
• Marxist feminists


  Believe that due to the intersection of capitalism and patriarchy, women are oppressed in the family
• Marxist feminists


  • Women's unpaid labour sustains capitalism and patriarchy, as women have no economic power or independence, men maintain power
  • Women are socialised to comply with their role, so they don't fight for compensation of their services
  • Women are a cheap reserve labour that can step in if necessary, which benefits the bourgeoisie
• Radical feminists


  Believe the main source of oppression for women in the family is patriarchy itself, and the whole system of patriarchy needs to be abolished for women to be free of oppression/exploitation
• Radical feminists


  • Family oppresses women by socialising children into patriarchal ideology, objectifying women, and leading to domestic abuse
  • Men use women's bodies for their own benefit, both sexually and for reproduction
• Intersectional feminists (difference feminists)


  Critique that there is not enough emphasis on the intersection of patriarchy with other factors such as race, religion and class, and claim that other types of feminists assume all women are exploited in the same way in the family
• Black feminism argues that it is more important to consider racial/ethnic differences between groups of women, as black and white women may not have the same overall experiences
• In the past, black women worked to provide for their families while middle-class white women stayed at home, so interests and solutions for gender equality are also unlikely to be the same
• Outside the nuclear family, there are other family types that are less oppressive, such as lone parenthood
• Feminist movements


  • Have been monumental in shaping societies globally, advocating for equality and challenging traditionally entrenched gender norms
  • Have played a significant role in transforming familial structure and dynamics, pushing for equal responsibility and more egalitarian distribution of household chores
  • Have challenged traditional notions of masculinity, encouraging men to be more emotionally open and have healthier communication with family
  • Have been instrumental in advocating for children's rights, including the right to express their views and be protected from harm