Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
FEMINIST EXPLANATIONS OF GENDER INEQUALITIES (MARXIST FEMINISTS…
FEMINIST EXPLANATIONS OF GENDER INEQUALITIES
MARXIST FEMINISTS
Believe social class affects the life chances of women and it's a key factor in the relationship between men + women.
Feminists are heavily influenced by Marxist - but feel it's necessary to combine these views with a feminist approach to highlight the way in which capitalism is an economic system that can lead to the oppression of women.
argue that family is patriarchal and that a women's position in the family results in them being exploited by capitalism
argues that the family teaches children to conform to a form of parental authority that is patriarchal. She claims that they emerge from family life preconditioned to accept their place in the capitalist hierarchy of power + control.
believes family is 'designed' to teach passivity not rebellion. - family socialises its members into accepting traditional gender roles + the view that it's natural for men and women to marry and engage in separate roles.
For Marxist Feminists , this kind of family ideology supports patriarchy - since it suggests that men and women should have different roles in the family and can lead to the oppression of women.
additionally, the fact that the man must then provide for his family means he is less likely to challenge the capitalist system.
Benston believes that if women were paid for their domestic work then there would be a dramatic change and redistribution of wealth
argues the wife keeps her husband in good running order by feeding and caring for him and this is essential for smooth running of capitalism
Benston is also highly critical of the ideology of a nuclear family and the women's role within it - believes it's a stabilising force in capitalist societies.
they feel that gender inequalities are maintain due to women being encouraged to accept the dominant ideology that a nuclear family is a natural family form and that any inequalities of gender are fair and legitimate.
Marxists feminists argue that women play a central role in the family through their domestic labour and through this serve the needs of capitalism in a number of ways:
Women's domestic work is unpaid - therefore beneficial for capitalism since only one wage is being paid for and then the wife becomes dependent on her husband for financial support.
- Benston (1972)
They reproduce the next generation of workers and socialise them into norms & values of their gender which would benefit capitalism by teaching them obedience and hard work.
- Feeley (1972)
LIBERAL FEMINISTS
Inequalities
occur because of
gender role socialisation, unfair laws/practices that reinforce discrimination
in men and women - rather than innate, biological differences
Focused on
obtaining equal opportunities and equal rights for both males and females
in society in areas such as work place, education and politics.
Would view the
'Equal Pay Act & Sex Discrimination Act'
as evidence of
successful liberal feminist campaigning
Believe
changes in norms and values will resolves the inequality
and gender division and
legislation is a way of achieving this.
Canalisation
also promotes different activities between boys and girls that will reinforce accepted gender identities.
Believes it occurs through a process of
manipulation
- teaches children from a young age the expected norms and values of genders.
-argues gender role socialisation in families can cause gender inequalities and stereotypical gender roles are learnt from a young age.
Canalisation=
relates to the channelling of children towards toys and activities/hobbies seen as appropriate for their gender.
Manipulation=
refers to the encouragement of behaviour that is seen as gender appropriate.
Studies
Potential Resolutions
Definitions
Studies
Evaluation
Feeley (1972
Benston (1972)
Evaluation
Ansley (1976)
Oakley (1974)