Feminism
Definitions:
Patriarchy- a society where men are in positions of power, such as being head of the house and holding authority over women and children, often resulting in systemic inequalities that favour male dominance. A society that benefits men more than it does women.
Feminism- the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of equality of the sexes, aiming to dismantle the structures of patriarchy and promote social, political, and economic equality. Structural theory- focuses on the impact of structures in society on how we ‘turn out’
Feminists aim to change ideas around women’s abilities and introduce legislation to make men and women equal, such as closing the gender pay gap. They want and promote equal rights for men and women.
1961- introduction of birth control pill
1969- Divorce Reform Act passed, meaning you can get divorced due to the ‘irretrievable breakdown of your marriage’, not necessarily adultery
Types of feminism
All
Male-stream sociology: male-focused sociology has failed to deal with the concerns and interests of women and the unequal position they occupy in society.
Liberal feminism
Rights of women as individuals- remove all forms of discrimination to establish equality and opportunity.
Gender equality is possible through legal reforms: 1975 Sex Discrimination Act, 1970 Equal Pay Act, 1969 Divorce Act.
Campaigned for equality acts, childcare resources, against sex discrimination and for the right to vote.
Believe that maternity leave establishes women as the primary carer.
Accepts the system as it is but wants women to have equal opportunities.
Women are rising to the challenges of a contemporary society and showing more aspiration and confidence.
Marxist feminism
Women's unpaid labour benefits both capitalism and men.
Women are doubly exploited as both women and workers by both the patriarchy and the capitalist system.
Fran Ansley- 'women are the takers of shit'
Both marxist and radical fundamentally challenge the way society is organised- strive for major social change
Radical feminism
The patriarchy is the problem at the base of the lack of women's rights. The patriarchy is so embedded in society that there needs to be a radical upheaval of society.
Women face a constant threat of physical and sexual violence from men.
'The personal is political'.
Intersectional feminism
Not all women are equally oppressed- black w/c women face more oppression than white m/c women.
The social characteristics of different women impacts on their oppression.
Reasons we still need feminism:
The pay gap is still very wide and not closing at a very fast rate; many women continue to earn significantly less than their male counterparts for the same work, which perpetuates economic inequality and hinders women's financial independence, despite the fact that we are six years post-reporting on wage differences was made compulsory
The median pay gap is still at 9.4%, the same as 5 years ago (as of 2023)
It is 15.1% in the public sector
It is 8% in the private sector
It is between 21% and 23% in construction, finance, insurance and education
It is 2% in the health, social work and accommodation sectors
It is 34.8% at Lloyds
4/5 companies and organisations in GB still pay their male employees more than their female ones.
In almost half of all companies and public bodies, male employees are paid at least 10% more than their female counterparts. Only 3% of companies and public bodies have women who are paid 10% more than men.
1 in 10 companies and public bodies pay female and male employees equivalent wages.
Sometimes low-paid men earn even less money, which gives the illusion that the gap is closing
The UK is behind countries such as France, Belgium and Sweden in making employees address gender pay gaps directly
Women leave work to become unpaid carers (motherhood penalty) and this is part of the reason for the pay gap
Women in their 60s with private pensions have a pension 1/5 of that of a man the same age
State pension inequality has reduced by low-income divorced or separated women are financially vulnerable
The UK is the 3rd most expensive country globally for childcare
Women with higher education still earn 1/3 less than men with the same qualification
91% of men and 86% of women globally show a clear bias against women
50% of men globally said they have more right to a job than women
1/3 of respondents globally said it’s acceptable for a man to hit his partner
Almost 1/2of the world’s men and women think men make better political leaders
In 50 countries where women are more educated than men, they received 39% less income
Girls are likely to leave school much earlier
8 girls under the age of 15 give birth every 10 minutes
According to a UN report, 1/3 of girls aged between 10 and 18 had never been to school
More than 12 million women and 700 000 men suffered domestic abuse between 2012 and 2013 in England and Wales
30% of women and 16% of men in England and Wales have experienced DV at some point in their lives
More than 5000 women and children in England and Wales are deemed at high risk of injury by a partner
7 women and 2 men are killed every month in England and Wales by their partner or ex-partner
Abuse against women increases during the world cup by 26% if England win and 38% if England lose
Women’s position in society is not getting any better