Theory and Methods: Feminism

Feminism

Liberal Feminism

Liberal Feminists do not blame men for inequality, however they do believe that gender inequality does still exist, even though we are moving towards a more egalitarian society.

They argue that there are two barriers to gender equality:

1. Gender Role Socialisation: The process by which people learn the core elements of their gender. Gender stereotypes are maintained through generations which leads males to believe that they are dominant over females.
2. Social Policy - Although some progress has been made through legislation, there are still some laws that discriminate against women.

Sue Sharpe: Studied female expectations in the 1970s and 1990s. In the 70s, she found that girls aspired to be housewives, in the 90s the girls desired financial independence and a career. Sharpe believes that this study illustrates the progression that has been made in the way women view themselves and their future prospects.

Helen Wilkinson: Using Sue Sharpe's study she argues that there has been a 'gender quake' and that men and women are moving closer to equality.

Francis and Skelton: Agree with Sue Sharpe. They argue that because of this significant shift in attitudes, young women now look at their jobs in different ways. In the past, women would have viewed their jobs as a 'stop gap' before marriage and motherhood, whereas now women can choose their jobs based on their identity.

McRobbie and Garber: Argue that girls have more supervision that boys whilst being raised. They claim that a 'bedroom culture' exists where parents try to discourage girls from going out with their friends during leisure time, whereas boys do not face the same treatment. This is due to the fear that parents have that their daughters need protection from the outside world, whereas their sons do not.

Marxist Feminism

Marxist Feminists focus on the way in which women are exploited within the family unit and therefore benefit Capitalism. They do not blame men directly for their inequality, instead they direct their focus at the Bourgeoisie. They believe that status can only be gained through wealth and employment but for many women their days are dominated through unpaid domestic labour.

Michele Barrett: Focuses her emphasis on the 'ideology of familism', she believes that the ideology make female exploitation seem acceptable and fair and acts as a false class consciousness in itself.

Ann Oakley: Argues that women carry out the 'dual burden' as they work and then do all the domestic chores at home as well.

Duncombe and Marsden: Students of Ann Oakley. Argue that women actually undertake a 'triple shift' which includes the emotional labour that women do on top of their paid employment and their unpaid domestic labour.

Margaret Benston: Argues that women play two roles that help to maintain Capitalism and benefit the Bourgeoisie:

1. Women raise the next working generation - Women are responsible for the socialisation of children into the values that reproduce the false class consciousness. They are therefore aiding the Bourgeoisie to maintain their dominance in society by providing an obedient workforce.
2. Women are a reserve army of workers - Women are seen as a flexible and expendable workforce that can be brought in and out of the workforce depending on the economic climate.

Radical Feminism

They believe that all societies are patriarchal and therefore oppress women through 'sexual politics'. According to radical feminists, patriarchy is the main form of social inequality.

Adrienne Rich: Argues that men push women into 'compulsory heterosexuality' which she believes is narrow and unsatisfying to women but beneficial to men as it fulfils their desires.

Betsy Stanko: Argues that women are victims of 'sexual terrorism'. It is estimated that only 20% of domestic violence cases are reported to the police and therefore it can be estimated that five women are victims of domestic violence every minute in the UK.

Dobash and Dobash: Argue that not enough has been done to protect women in heterosexual relationships. For example it was only in 1991, in the case of RvR, when marital rape became outlawed.

Germaine Greer: Believes that the only way forward for women is through 'separatism' thereby women should live with other women. She calls for 'political lesbianism' as she believes that women need not conduct in heterosexual relationships in order to fully break free from the patriarchal dominance of men.

Shulamith Firestone: Agrees with these ides and believe that patriarchy and inequality stems from childbirth as a woman has to depend on a man. She argues that money should be invested into reproductive technology so babies can be created in a laboratory and there will be no need for men.

Laura Purdy: Argues that women should go on a baby strike and stop having children until all their demands are met.

Dual-Systems Feminism

Dual-systems feminist are a combination between Marxist and Radical feminists. They argue that there are two systems within the structure of society:

1. Economic System: Capitalism.
2. Sex-Gender System: Patriarchy.

Sylvia Walby: Argues that the Bourgeoisie have two goals:

1. Maintaining Patriarchy.
2. Maintaining Profits.

In order to maintain patriarchy the Bourgeoisie want women to remain at home, but, in order to make more money they need women to work. The Bourgeoisie always choose money over patriarchy, which is why female employment is at an all-time high. To compensate for women working they are kept in low paid and part time jobs.

Heidi Hartmann: Argues that patriarchy is worse when it is combined with Capitalism and therefore is people revolt to Communism then equality will be achieved.

Anna Pollert: Argues that patriarchy is not a system in the same way that Capitalism is. Capitalism is an economic structure, patriarchy is a range of practices.

Difference Feminism

Difference feminists look at the individual and argue that other branches of feminism are too generalised. They claim a 'false universality'. Different societies around the world are not patriarchal.

Post-Structural Feminism

Judith Butler: Argues that the experiences of men and women should not be generalised. She argues that patriarchy exists mostly everywhere but for different reasons. Every society has its own discourse, patriarchy is the white middle class discourse. She argues that during the Enlightenment, the discourse was 'knowledge=power' therefore everyone who had knowledge were men, leading to the discourse being patriarchy. In Saudi Arabia, they still have patriarchy but their discourse comes from religion.