SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource

Feminism

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

We are learning about We will do this by

•Define the term patriarchy•Name 4 types of feminism and outline their key beliefs•State the impact of feminism on a number of areas of life

What do the pictures seem to show?

WHO DOES WHAT IN YOUR HOME (MALE OR FEMALE OR BOTH)

• COOKING• HOUSEWORK• WASHING UP• PUTTING OUT

RUBBISH• PAYS THE BILLS• MAIN

BREADWINNER• WASHING THE CAR• LAUNDRY• PLANS DAY TRIPS• PLANS HOLIDAYS

KEY WORDS

• DOMINATION• PATRIARCHY• GENDER ROLES• EXPLOITATION• MARXIST FEMINISM• LIBERAL FEMINISM• RADICAL FEMINISM• SYMMETRICAL RELATIONSHIP

Sociology

Structural Theory Action Theory

Consensus Conflict

Functionalism Marxism Feminism

Symbolic interactionism

(Interpretivism)

Theory can be said to be like looking at society through different lenses – each give it a different perspective or appearance. http://www.youtube

.com/watch?v=v48kAslT-cY&feature=fvsr

Famous Feminists

Sue Sharp(just like a girl)

Ann Oakley (housewife)

Germaine Greer (the female Eunuch)

Simone de – Beauvior (the second sex)

IN BRIEF

• Women suffer the injustices in society because of their gender

• Women need to fight for their rights and free themselves from patriarchy

• Patriarchy exists in the family, work place, government and throughout society

• The family is an institution that benefits men• Women are vulnerable because of childbirth and

men exploit this fact and reinforce dependency

HISTORY OF FEMINISM

• 1ST WAVE– Suffragettes wanted the right to vote– 1918 rights given to women over 30– 1928 equal right given at 21yrs

• 2nd WAVE– 1960s concentrated on equal rights in

the workplace– 1961 free contraception– 1970 equal pay act– 2008 women's pay still averaged

2/3rds of men's which decreased after 40yrs.

Footage of the Miss world protest

• http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=reCX3_OAkv8

IMPACTS OF FEMINISM ON

SOCIETY

PAY

WORKPLACE

FAMILY

EDUCATIONSOCIAL POLICY

IMPACTS OF FEMINISM ON

SOCIETY

FAMILYWomen go to work

and contribute financiallyHave more say in

family mattersStay at home dads

less of a stigma

WORKPLACELess sexism

(nude calendars, innuendos)Better chance of promotion LAW

Equal pay actPension age

discrimination

EDUCATIONGirls are treated more

equally in schools and are out achieving

boys

SOCIAL POLICYMaternity leavePaternity leave

Family tax creditsNursery vouchers

DIVISIONS OF FEMINISMMARXIST •Combines key concepts of patriarchy with Marxism

•Women’s oppression is a symptom of a more fundamental form of oppression – CAPITALISM

•Role of women in the family serves the interests of the economy and the ruling class

RADICAL•Society is patriarchal and biased towards men

•Do not think lobbying will bring equality

•Men use aggression to control women and thus maintain their dominant position

•Highlights dark side of family life

LIBERAL•Equality can be brought about through legal reform

•Men need to be educated of women’s potential

•Advocate changing the system from within (lobbying and protesting)

BLACK •Argue that ‘white feminists’ have ignored position of black women

•Black women face dual oppression due to racism in white society and patriarchy

•Ignores similarities between different ethnic groups

Who says what?

RADICAL

FEMINISTS

MARXIST

FEMINISTS

BLACK

FEMINISTS

LIBERAL

FEMINISTS

Group workGroup work

• Complete a sheet outlining the key concepts for 1 type of feminism – Marxists feminism– Radical feminism– Liberal feminism– Black feminism

• Outline what they advocate• Identify at least one feminist in that division• Evaluate• Create A brief 5 min PRESENTATION to the class

HOMEWORK

• Homework

Do an audit at home of who does what and for how long (this is called a time and motion study)

QUICK RECAP

1. What makes women vulnerable according to feminists?

2. In what way is sociology bias against women?

3. What is meant by patriarchy?4. How are male/female roles influenced and

reinforced in society5. Name the 4 types of feminism

Overall view of feminist beliefs

Men have exploited women for a long time, they call this matriarchy

The level of exploitation reflects the economic organization of the time

Patriarchy exists in the family, the work place, the government and throughout society

Men cant exploit women because childbirth makes women powerful (even more so today with birth control)

There are more fair ways to share wealth and workload Men are aware of this but choose exploitation.

The fact that men are physically stronger than women is just an exaggeration of gender role socialization

Overall view of feminist beliefs

Men have exploited women for a long time, they call this matriarchy F (Patriarchy)

The level of exploitation reflects the economic organization of the time

T

Patriarchy exists in the family, the work place, the government and throughout society

T

Men cant exploit women because childbirth makes women powerful (even more so today with birth control) Fchildbirth

makes women vulnerable

There are more fair ways to share wealth and workload Men are aware of this but choose exploitation. TThe fact that men are physically stronger than women is just an exaggeration of gender role socialization T

MARXIST FEMINISM

• See the family is a negative and critical way• Women’s oppression is capitalism• Capitalists exploit the working class and women

contribute by– Looking after the men by satisfying their physical,

sexual and emotional needs

– Beneston (72) women are slaves of wage slaves

– Give birth to the next generation of workers

– Women are the ‘reserve army of labour’

BLACK FEMINISM

• Critical of other feminists because white feminists are ignoring the ethical differences by grouping them all together

• Afro Caribbean are more likely to be single parents

• Asian women experience more patriarch and do more housework and childcare than white.– Arranged marriages– Religious and cultural responsibilities

RADICAL FEMINISM

• Negative view of the family

• Men benefit more than women and do very little housework and childcare.

• See marriage as a type of prison and violence is used if men don’t get their way

• Support diversity (single, gay, divorce etc)

LIBERAL FEMINISM

• Optimistic view of the family

• Focus on increased equality that exists

• Many couples today see relationship on equal terms

• Man has found his feminine side and takes a more active role in the housework and childcare.

PAIR -Mini Mind mapping The feminist view of the

family

Who says what?

RADICAL

FEMINISTS

MARXIST

FEMINISTS

BLACK

FEMINISTS

LIBERAL

FEMINISTS

Marriage is the theft of women’s labour

Marriage gives men property rights over women

All women are being grouped together

Fathers should also have right to a close relationship with their children

Divorce allows women to escape a violent marriage

Women ‘service’ men like a car going to a garage

dual oppression is due to racism in a white society and patriarchy

Many couples have equal partnership

Men do very little housework and childcare compared to women

Women are useful if there are plenty of jobs to fill but when there is not they are sent back to be housewives

Challenging each other just weakens the message

Man is in touch with his feminine side

EVALUATION OF FEMINISM• They all criticise and challenge each other which

weakens their overall message• Views are dated as there is now equal pay and

equal job opportunities• Most women do not see men as the enemy and

want to be with them and get married and have children

• NR argues that equality is not always a good thing, working mothers have to juggle time with home and children and are doing more now than being ‘just a housewife’

KEY FEMINISTS

RADICALAnn Oakley

Kate Millet

Andrea Dworkin

Shuluasmith

MARXIST

Juliette Mitchell

Nancy Chodrow

Bea Campbell

LIBERAL

Sue Sharpe

Rosalind Delmar

BLACK