Feminist explanations of gender inequalities

Gender expolanations

Sexual harassment in the workplace is the cause of gender inequality (Adkins )

2. Violence that is a result of patriarchal traditions of men’s right to control ‘their’ women (Johnson )

3. Socialisation into gender roles creates gender inequality (Oakley )

4. Discrimination prevents women from having equal

opportunities (McRobbie )

EXPLANATION 1 - LIBERAL FEMINIST:

Sexual harassment in the workplace is the cause of

gender inequality - Adkins (1995)

★ Adkins carried out research into the gendered division of labour at an amusement park.

★ She found evidence of horizontal segregation with male and female employees being given different types of roles within the theme park.

★ For example, catering assistants were almost exclusively female and ride operators were male. She found that female staff were subject to continuous sexual harassment from male staff and customers but they were just expected to put up with this as part of the job.

EXPLANATION 2 - RADICAL FEMINIST - Violence that is a

result of patriarchal traditions of men’s right to

control ‘their’ women - Johnson

Johnson discusses ‘patriarchal terrorism’ which they claim explains violence that is a result of patriarchal traditions of men’s right to control ‘their’ women. A form of terroristic control of wives by their husbands that involves the use of violence, BUT ALSO... economic subordination, threats and isolation. Johnson is very critical of the family and marriage as an institution.

World Health Organisation (2013) the incidence of women who had experienced physical or sexual abuse from an intimate partner in their lifetime was 30% globally and 25% in Europe

EXPLANATION 3 - Socialisation into gender

roles creates gender inequality - Oakley

Oakley (1981)

Children are socialised into expectations surrounding their gender. Oakley identifies 4 process central to the construction of gender identity:

Manipulation – Encouraging or discouraging gender appropriate behaviour.

Canalisation – Parents directing children’s interest into certain toys and play.

Verbal appellations – Parents using stereotypical feminine and masculine descriptions such as ‘gentle - girls’ and ‘strong’ - boys

Different activities – Daughters have cultural expectations of future responsibilities (helping out with the housework)

EXPLANATION 4 - Discrimination prevents

women from having equal opportunities - McRobbiE

Found that boys and girls were treated differently by their parents - By saying that the positions of women are structurally different she is suggesting that boys were given more freedom and allowed to spend more time out of the house whereas girls are more protected and home centred.

★ The term ‘culture of femininity’ refers to the idea that women are encouraged to spend time, money and effort on their appearance with the soul aim of attracting a male “suitor”

★ The term ‘bedroom culture’ references behaviour of girls of the 70s-90s where they would socialise in the “safe” environment of the home and adopt the culture of femininity...