Feminist theories and gender inequality
- Feminist theories of inequality specifically focus on gender issues
- Not one single theory but a range of theories that explain gender inequality in society
- Focus on importance of ideology in maintenance of patriarchy and male dominance
Social Control
- Feminists agree on little except that women experience social control and domination
because society works to benefit men
- Women are controlled in public sphere because they don’t have equal access to structures
and institutions in society that control laws and politics
- Women are controlled in private sphere because they are vulnerable to male violence
History of feminism
1980s 2010s New wave
1960s-1970s
1970s-1980s Sex Positive feminist
Liberal feminism- movements-
feminism-steps
1870s-1920s access to Radical feminism gender issues such
back from
contraception, and black as paternity leave,
Women's Suffrage radicalism and
abortion, feminism- issues body shaming,
movement sees women's
employment, of sexual violence economic
expression of
educational and racial issues inequality e.g.
sexual desirability
equality #metoo
as empowerment
Biological theories of male dominance
- Traditional (malestream) explanations of male dominance in society are biological e.g.
women are weaker sex
- Variety of theories which suggest that males and females are psychologically and
emotionally different
- Feminist theories of inequality specifically focus on gender issues
- Not one single theory but a range of theories that explain gender inequality in society
- Focus on importance of ideology in maintenance of patriarchy and male dominance
Social Control
- Feminists agree on little except that women experience social control and domination
because society works to benefit men
- Women are controlled in public sphere because they don’t have equal access to structures
and institutions in society that control laws and politics
- Women are controlled in private sphere because they are vulnerable to male violence
History of feminism
1980s 2010s New wave
1960s-1970s
1970s-1980s Sex Positive feminist
Liberal feminism- movements-
feminism-steps
1870s-1920s access to Radical feminism gender issues such
back from
contraception, and black as paternity leave,
Women's Suffrage radicalism and
abortion, feminism- issues body shaming,
movement sees women's
employment, of sexual violence economic
expression of
educational and racial issues inequality e.g.
sexual desirability
equality #metoo
as empowerment
Biological theories of male dominance
- Traditional (malestream) explanations of male dominance in society are biological e.g.
women are weaker sex
- Variety of theories which suggest that males and females are psychologically and
emotionally different
