Feminist perspective on the family

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  • Created by: E456
  • Created on: 06-12-17 21:34
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  • Feminist perspective on the family
    • key terms
      • patriarchy
        • society structured in such a way that it benefits men
      • conflict theory
        • society is based on conflict
    • Marxist feminists
      • women are exploited and this benefits capitalist society
        • Margaret Benston
          • reproduce and care for labour force
          • provide a reserve army of cheap labour
        • absorb the anger of the workers (Fran Ainsley)
    • Liberal feminists
      • don't blame gender inequality on men
        • recognise some improvement
          • moving towards gender inequality
          • Sex Discrimination Act
            • studies suggesting men do more domestic labour than they use to
        • social structures and laws to blame
      • Somerville
        • radical feminism alienates young women
        • radical feminists don't recognise important progress that has been made
    • Radical feminists
      • Germaine Greer
        • political lesbianism
        • creation of matrifocal households
      • Delphi and Leonard
        • family maintains patriarchy
        • family is an economic system
      • there is a division between men and women
        • the family as a institution helps maintain gender inequalities (family needs to be abolished)
    • Difference feminists
      • women's experiences are all different - we can't make generalisations about them
    • Criticisms
      • radical
        • doesn't recognise progress
      • assume the nuclear family is dominant - it is actually outdated
      • assume we have no free will over our choices
      • neglects possible positive aspects of traditional roles: ignores that people may want these roles
      • 'political lesbianism' maybe ignores natural bonds and it's not practical
      • assumes family is negative
      • feminists are too negative
    • Strengths
      • similar to Marxist strengths

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