preference theory- post-fem

Hakim argues that as we live in a more equal society, that women increasingly have choice and can choose which family type they wish to live in. Inequality simply stems from personal preference. Women can now choose to gain a higher level of education, employment or focus upon their role in the family. Increased affluence means personal preference is more important than necessity.

This has led to the emergence of three types of women:

· Adaptive woman – these women combine paid work and family life equally without prioritising one. They seek flexible or part-time work.

· Home-centred woman – these women focus upon their role in the family and their children come before employment and educational achievements. They prefer not to work, including some women who are well qualified.

· Work-centred woman – these are a minority of women who prioritise their work and career development, fitting their family life and children around work commitments.

evaluation:

1. The New Right Realist would argue that equality is not always a good thing, as most women are now work-centred and children are suffering as they are being neglected. Women themselves are suffering as they are doing too much, for example, working and looking after the home and children This shows the negative impact on both women and children.

2. Marxist Feminist Benston would argue that adaptive women as identified by Hakim are simply women who are seen as a cheap reserve army of labour. They are brought in during economic booms but thrown out during slumps. This then creates flexibility for capitalists.