Sociology: Feminism

What do feminists argue about gender?

Feminists argue that gender is a source of inequality and conflict in society.

What do feminists say UK society is and why?

Feminists say that the UK is a patriarchal society as men have more power than women across a range of social institutions.

What is the gender pay gap in the UK ?

The gender pay gap is 7% for full time workers (Statistia UK 2025)

What is the “glass ceiling” effect?

The “glass ceiling” effect refers to the fact that women are less likely to receive top paying jobs than men, women can see the top jobs but less likely to receive due to unconscious bias from employers.

What was the First wave of feminism?

The 1800s- early 1900s in which the Suffragettes advocated for reformed social and legal inequalities e.g. women getting the vote.

What was the Second wave of feminism?

The 1960s-70s which experienced social and political changes e.g. civil rights, gay rights ect

What was the Third wave of feminism?

The 1990’s where people developed individualistic identities and an increase in digital information technology e.g. creation of the internet, mobiles ect.

What was the Fourth wave of feminism?

21st century (now) where some argue that a fourth wave of feminism is defined by consumption and social media e.g. metoo movement.

What are the key ideas of Liberal feminism?

Liberal feminists are optimistic that equality will eventually happen, they campaign for change through changing of laws/regulations to change norms and values e.g. Equal Opportunities Act and they aim for steady improvements in the roles of women.

What did Liberal Feminist Ann Oakley do (1974) ?

Ann Oakley (1974) researched gender role socialisation and argued that this is where gender inequality begins e.g. boys praised for being boisterous while girls called bossy.

What did Liberal Feminist Sue Sharpe do?

Sue Sharpe found working class 1970s girls believed that women’s roles were about ‘love, marriage, husbands, children’, but by the 1990s that’d changed as girls cared more about education.

What are the criticisms of Liberal Feminism?

It’s unrealistic that society will change to match their ideals, Liberal Feminism founders mainly consisted of white middle class some who don’t understand the inequalities faced by women of other classes/ethnicities, its too optimistic and it doesnt take into account intersectionality (multiple factors contribute for inequality e.g. race).

What are the key ideas of Marxist Feminists?

Marxist Feminism puts the two together looking at class and gender inequality, it argues that patriarchy benefits both capitalism and the oppression of women, and that gender equality can only be achieved when capitalism ends.

What did Marxist Feminist Margeret Benston 1972) suggest?

Margeret Benston (1972) suggested that women are unpaid domestic labourers who service male workers making them fit for work.

What did Marxist Feminist Diane Feely (1972) suggest?

Diane Feely (1972) suggested that women produce and rear the future work force, fuelling capitalism.

What are the criticisms of Marxist Feminism?

Marxist Feminism doesn’t take into account that gender inequality still exists without capitalism, unrealistic in the sense it requires political consensus, they base their views around nuclear family and focuses too much on social class not gender inequality.

What does the term ‘Malestream’ mean?

’Malestream’ describes the domination of men in all aspect of culture, thus producing bias outcomes due to the male perspective dominating.

What are the key ideas of Radical Feminism?

Radical Feminists believe that patriarchal oppression and exploitation is built into society, alongside that through gender role socialisation women are socialised into accepting female subordination e.g. inevitably pursuing motherhood.

What did radical feminist Atkinson suggest?

Atkinson suggested that women could live in a society without men, referred to as ‘political lesbianism’.

What are the criticisms of Radical Feminism?

Radical feminists dont consider that some women choose to be housewives, ignore the changes in society that have occurred overtime, and have an overly negative view of men.