Liberal/reformist feminism

Fundamental belief

• All humans should have equal rights and this can be achieved through rational progress (enlightenment project)

  • Women’s emancipation is a win-win

2 ways to achieve equal rights

1. Laws and policies

2. Cultural change

3 aspects of cultural change

1. Female role models in education and family

2. Stereotypes in the media

3. Dismantling biological assumptions/stereotypes/prejudices via socialisation

Oakely (1972) — sex v gender

• Sex = biological differences between men and women

• Gender = cultural construct, differences between masculine and feminine roles

Oakely (1972) — 2 aspects of gender

1. Transmitted by socialisation

2. Vary by culture and time

• E.g. 🇸🇦 women allowed to drive in 2018

2 liberal feminist CRITICISMS of Parsons

1. Women and men both capable of performing both instrumental and expressive roles

2. Gender division prevents women and men living fulfilling lives

2 actual changes

1. Socialisation and cultural change → less ignorance and prejudice

2. Political action → laws and policies → fairer society

CRITICISM of liberal feminism

• Overly optimistic

  • Obstacles to emancipation not only prejudices/laws that can be removed but deep-seated structures

CRITICISM of liberal feminism — Walby (1997)

• No explanation for overall structure of gender inequality

CRITICISM of liberal feminism — Marxist and radical

• Naïve to believe laws and attitudes → equality

  • Need revolution

• Fails to recognise underlying causes of female subordination: capitalism and patriarchy