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Feminism in Sociology, Daly - Coggle Diagram
Feminism in Sociology
Religion
De Beauvoir
Saw the role of religion as oppressive to women. Argues religion is used by the oppressors to control the oppressed (men to women). Argues religion serves a way of compensating women for their second class status and gives women false belief that their suffering from oppression an male control will be compensated for. It does that by confirming social order, justifying her registration by giving hope of a better future in a 'sexless heaven'
El Saadawi
Doesn't blame religion for its oppressive influences on women but the patriarchal domination. Argues that patriarchal dominance of religion came with monotheistic religions. Argues that men wrote their sculptures and scriptures and were interpretated by them so they used them to justify their dominance and power. Religions drew inspiration and guidance from the patriarchy and class societies prevalent at the time.
Examples: Men could become priests, theologians and Iman, FGM, Women not allowed to touch Qur'an if menstruating
Armstrong
Argues that male aggression exhibited through the invasion of these societies by more male-dominated cultures from the northern hemisphere and middle east, meant that males gods became increasingly important, introducing a more aggressive spirituality
Monotheism - The belief in one God rather than many (Polytheism) - was the final death know for the goddess and the major world religions have all adopted the same male God
Woodhead
Criticises female explanation of religious patriarchy and that traditional religions are patriarchal but not all religions are. There are some 'religious forms of feminism' where women can use religion to gain greater freedom and respect
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Cohen and Kennedy
Suggest that 'the desire to restore fundamentalist religious values and social practices is associated with the fear that any real increase in women's freedom of choice and action will undermine the foundations of tradition, religion, morality and, it could be argued, male control.'
Fundamentalism such as Christian Right or the Nation of Islam in America and elsewhere, have often supported the 'traditional' female role, returning to traditional values regarding gender roles and relationships
Watson
The meaning of the veil to those who wear it, is very individualised and cannot be generalised as simply oppressive
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Families
LIBERAL
Sommerville
Argues that men don't take on their full share of responsibilities and that the inability to 'pull their weight' in relationships, means high rates of relationship breakdowns will be the norm. She says that feminists need to focus on policies which will encourage greater equality in relations.
Since many jobs are based on the idea of a male breadwinner relying on a non-working wife, Sommerville argues that to achieve the equality in relationships, women need increased flexibility in paid employment
RADICAL
Firestone
Believes that childbearing is a burden, putting women at a disadvantage in the past. She believes that the new reproductive technology will free women from dependence on and contact with men.
Examples: IVF, Test tube, Fertilisation
Rich
Refers to idea of 'compulsory sexuality.' Women are forced into heterosexuality because this is the only socially accepted form of sexuality. Lesbianism is regarded as a deviant or abnormal alternative. Some argue lesbianism is the only way women can experience sexual pleasure without experiencing oppression.
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Delphy and Leonard
Suggest women contribute more work to family life than their husbands even though they get fewer material benefits than men. Men retain responsibility for family finances and women consume less than male family members. Male head of household has 'decision making power' over goods and what is bought or produced for family.
Believe that family is a patriarchal and hierarchal institution where men dominate and exploit women. Men are head of household and benefit from work done. Women provide '57 varieties of unpaid services'. Wives sometimes resist their husbands dominance, they're not always passive victims. 'Economic and social constraints' make it difficult for women to leave patriarchal family.
MARXIST
Oakley
Argues sexual division of labour means women are expected to be responsible for domestic work and childcare. This means women become economically dependent on men and have no access to their own money. Because of the conflict that arises from the different emotional needs of men and women, women are expected to deal with the frustrations of husband and children but have no one they can turn too due to inability of engaging in social activities. This is due to differences in economic power. Mal control means that the man's need is assumed to be more important. Women lose their identity as seen as 'Mrs...' suggesting women's economic position is crucial to their oppression. This makes them a target for capitalist exploitation. This keep women dependent on men.
Breugal
Suggests women are easy to hire and fire so form a 'reserve army of labour'. Women's unemployment is easily disguised. It's deemed as 'not real' unemployment because their primary work is a housewife. In times of economic need, women are hired but quickly fired in economic recession.
Benston
Suggests capitalism get 2 workers for the price of one. Women cook and clean for men. If they didn't, employers would have to pay higher wages so men could pay for these services. This would reduce profit for capitalism
Ansley
Translates parson's view, that family functions to stabilise adult personalities. She sees the emotional support provided by the wife as a 'safety valve' for the husband frustration produced by the capitalist system. Rather than turning against the system the frustration is absorbed by comforting wife. This way the system isn't challenged
'When wives play their traditional role as takers of shit, they often absorb their husbands legitimate anger and frustration at their own powerlessness and oppression'
DIFFERENCE
Amos and Parmar
Argue that black women may have different experiences to other women as they not only deal with sexism, but racism too. In this case a black woman's family may be a great source of comfort and support.
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Daly
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Argues that Christianity is a patriarchal myth, Christianity eliminated other 'Goddess religions. Argues Christianity is rooted in male 'sado-rituals' with its 'torture cross symbolism' that embodies women hating. There will never be equality in church