Sociology - Component 1 - Family & Households - DIFFERENCE FEMINISM

Difference Feminism - Who do difference feminists agree with?

Walby

Difference Feminism - Why do they agree with Walby?

They agree that class and ethnicity have a part to play in this, and we can’t generalise about women’s experiences

Difference Feminism - What do difference feminists focus on?

Sexuality

Difference Feminism - What do difference feminists believe?

All family and household structures should be accepted

Difference Feminism - Why should all families and  household structures be accepted?

As they suit women in different circumstances 

Difference Feminism - What do difference feminists believe?

That same sex families offer very different environments 

Foster - What did Foster find?

That lesbian couples share more equally in childcare tasks 

Foster - What did Foster report there was between lesbian couples?

There was higher satisfaction levels with their domestic arrangements than with heterosexual couples 

FOSTER FINISHED

FOSTER FINISHED

Dunne - What did Dunne study?

37 lesbian couples

Dunne - After studying these couples, what did Dunne find evidence of?

Symmetry in these families 

Dunne - What was the symmetry found in relation to?

Housework, childcare and careers 

Dunne - Why does Dunne believe there is symmetry?

Because there is an absence of gender scripts within the family home

Difference Feminists - As a result of Dunne’s and Foster’s studies, what do difference feminists not believe?

They don’t believe women can be exploited in same sex families as there are no men 

Difference Feminism - What do difference feminists believe about the increased choice women have?

It’s a positive and is indicative of a growing trend of ‘chosen families’ 

Difference Feminism Evaluation - What evaluations can be drawn from the choice women have over sexuality?

The choice is questioned. Evidence suggests while women can pursue traditionally masculine goals, they’re still expected to be heterosexual. So while lesbianism is tolerated, heteronormativity means many lesbians feel as though they must remain ‘ in the closet’. This shows limited choice 

Difference Feminism Evaluation - What do other feminists accuse this theory of neglecting?

Neglecting to acknowledge that in spite of differences, most women do share many of the same experiences in the family. For example, all women remain at greater risk of domestic violence, low pay and a dual burden than all men