liberal feminism

what do liberal feminists focus on

human and civil rights and freedoms of the individual

what do liberal feminists believe

that men and women should have equal rights because they share the same ability to reason

how do they believe progress will be made and what are examples of this

through gradual reforms (small changes in laws and society) - e.g. equal pay act and sex discrimination act

through changed socialisation of society (to change views of gender roles) - e.g. promoting female role models in schools

through reason and political action as well as changing attitudes and reforms

what do they want from cultural change

to challenge traditional prejudices and gender stereotypes that block equality (e.g. the idea that women are less rational and more emotional which limits job opportunities)

how do they believe that society is changing and what is this called

changing they believe that society is gradually becoming fairer on women (called the march of progress)

how did Ann Oakley (1972) explain the difference between sex and gender

she explained that sex means biological differences whereas gender means social roles and identities created by culture

which functionalist view do liberal feminists challenge and how

Parson’s view of instrumental (paid work) and expressive roles (unpaid domestic work)

liberal feminists argue that women are equally capable of both spheres and traditional roles limit both men and women

what is a strength of liberal feminism

they proved that gender differences aren’t natural but learned through socialisation - they showed the extent of inequality and how this can be reformed

what are 2 limitations of liberal feminism

some say liberal feminists are too optimistic (ignores deeper systems that also affect inequality such as capitalism or patriarchy) -Sylvia Walby (1997) says they fail to explain the overall structure of gender inequality

Marxists and radical feminists argue that law and attitude changes aren’t enough and instead a revolutionary change is needed