radical feminism

what do radical feminists argue

women’s oppression starts with biology - because a woman can get pregnant men have used this to dominate women sexually

what does Firestone (1974) argue about this sexual domination

it’s spread to other parts of life (e.g. control over women’s work, money and family roles)

what do radical feminists argue about patriarchy

it’s the root cause of all female oppression and all men benefit from it

what is sexual politics

the belief that ‘the personal is political’ meaning that men control women in both private and public lives which keeps them oppressed

how does Brownmiller (1976) support sexual politics

she says that the fear of rape is used to control women by limiting where they go and what they do

what do radical feminists criticise and what are two examples of this

how society forces women into roles that benefit men

e.g. pornography shows women as objects and Rich (1981) talks about ‘compulsory heterosexuality’ where heterosexual relationships are forced on women and restrict their freedom

what strategies do radical feminists suggest to change patriarchy existing in personal and sexual relationships

separatism (living apart from men in all-women communities) - Greer (2000) supports all-female households rather than heterosexual

consciousness-raising (women sharing experiences to realize common problems)

political lesbianism (idea that heterosexuality is ‘sleeping with the enemy’ so rejecting this also rejects male domination)

what is a strength of radical feminism

it shows how personal relationships involve power and highlights issues like domestic violence and rape as political

what are 5 limitations of radical feminism

marxists say class and capitalism are the main cause of women’s oppression

radical feminists ignore differences in women and their experiences

ideas of separatism are unrealistic because of heterosexual attraction

Pollert (1996) argues that patriarchy is circular as patriarchy is maintained by and explains male violence

it overlooks women’s violence against men and violence in lesbian relationships