Feminism and the Family

Benston

The family reproduces and socialises new workers at little cost to the capitalist state. The family reproduces an obedient workforce.

Evaluation of Benston

She ignores family diversity and changes to the traditional nuclear family as other family structures increase due to changes in social attitudes. Therefore, other family types may not support a capitalist society and the reproduction of the proletariat in the nuclear family.

Ansley

Women become takers of shit as the result of the powerlessness men feel from their alienation at work.

Marxist feminists view of the family:

The traditional nuclear family. Housework is unpaid but has economic value. The housewife role contributes to the effectiveness of the worker (feeding, shopping, childrearing, relaxing). The male wage provides for his labour- but not the wife's.

General view of the family- radical feminists

Gender inequality in the family not result of capitalism or ignorance but is deeply rooted in patriarchal social structures.

Firestone

Saw men and women as 'sex classes' i.e. two groups that are in conflict with one another. The family is not a cooperative unit based on mutual support, it is an oppressive unit that benefits men. Men expect partners to provide emotional support and love but do not provide it in return. Children are socialised into a patriarchal ideology- inequality continues into the next generation. Housework is mostly done by women and violence against women in families- most victims are women.

Evaluation of Firestone

This could not be applied to all men as the emerging concept of the 'New Man' as a result of changes in society contributes to housework and is emotionally aware and mature- will mean that family life for women is oppressive.

What is the ideology of romantic love?

This is where women are conditioned into believing that romantic relationships are equal and fulfilling but men benefit more from them (patriarchy), for example, housework, childcare and emotional labour.

Changes in wider society: Legal changes to women

Women have more freedom, say in decisions, less oppression and subjugation of women in the family.

Oakley

Girls are socialised to believe that that they will be family focused and this prevents them from competing for careers.

Evaluation of Oakley

Reductionist:

Generalised- cannot be applied to all women and she ignores other factors such as ethnicity, race, sexuality and class as contributors to whether girls do well or not in the education system.

Sommerville

Women today have more choices because of:

- Employment opportunities for women, they can demand a say in decision-making and housework.

-The growth of the service sector

-More careers for women

- Legal changes and employment rights

Evaluation of Sommerville

Sommerville ignores the fact that some women do not have the resources to access the education system and therefore go into paid employment.

General view- liberal feminists

Gender inequality in the family does not come from social structures, it is the consequence of ignorance, prejudice and assumptions about biology.

What does Wilkinson say?

Shift in women's attitudes towards family life and employment- a genderquake

What is difference feminism?

Women do not have common experiences of oppression and they are not equally exploited as women from ethnic groups may have more expectations to get married and have children than others. Lone mothers may face different issues (e.g. lack of child maintenance payments) or may not be exploited at all. Black feminists argued that, for many Afro-Caribbeans, the family is a source of strength and solidarity in a racist society.

What resources may middle-class women have?

Middle class women may have more resources to draw upon to help them achieve equality in family (e.g. may have a high paying job)