Triple Systems (Walby)

• Triple systems - Walby

  An approach to understand gender in contemporary societies that does not fit into any other forms of feminism.

  It suggests the experiences of ethnicity and class complicate the meaning of being female.

  Women from w/c and m/c backgrounds, women from different ethnic groups and races, women of different sexualities are all oppressed but not in the same ways.
• Walby

  • Suggests that private and public patriarchy exist where women are disadvantaged in both spheres
• Black Feminists


  • Argue that the nuclear family is positive and acts as a 'safe haven' from oppression experienced outside of the home, contrasting with the perspectives of many white feminists who may argue that the nuclear family could be a site of oppression
• Inequalities for men exist too, not just women. E.g. the DEFS report that young black boys from working-class ethnic backgrounds continue to underachieve throughout all levels of their education.
• Marxist Zaretsky


  • Criticises black feminists, saying the family acts as a safety valve from oppression experienced in the workplace that allows people to return to work again, fuelling the capitalist society