4 - Dual System Feminism

• Dual System feminism

  Combines Radical feminism and Marxism.
• Capitalism and the patriarchy are two separate systems that reinforce each other as 'patriarchal capitalism'. Forms dual roles as women are home makers and paid workers.
• This relates to class and ethnic inequalities to generate multiple causes for the subordination of women. Remove both to improve the positions of women
• Dual system of marketisation:

  • Primary market - ruling/middle class and men
  • Secondary market - working class and women
• Tackle the patriarchal nature of relationships and patricapitalist exploitation of women through labour, media, government and business.
• Walby


  Patriarchy operates in a different fashion depending on public or domestic life. Individual men dominate women in the home and in public, women are excluded from a range of spheres of activity (institutional). Women cannot participate equally with men.
• Pam Abbott - 'malestream society'


  Research by men, and for men, is generalised for the entire population. Women's issues are overlooked and viewed as unimportant. Women are seen as 'add-ons' when they are included. Sociology is either sex-blind or sexist/patriarchal.
• Ann Oakley


  British women are far more likely to work long hours in the home than their male partners. Research should take the women's side. Oakley criticises quantitative methods as positivism is far too masculine, detached and hierarchal.
• Evaluation of Dual System feminism:

  • Considers class and ethnicity to explain the impact on women's exploitation.
  • Clear distinction between capitalism and patriarchy.
  • Argued the patriarchy isn't a 'system' but more of a description.