Theory and Methods topic 7
Questions answered:
Outline and explain two feminist views of the role of women in society (10 marks)
Evaluate the contribution of feminists to our understanding of society. (20 marks)
Teaser:
Evaluate the contribution of feminists to our understanding of society. (20 marks)
Feminism is a conflict theory that often sees religion as an instrument of patriarchy-male
domination. Feminist theories overlap with other theories such as the Marxist perspective
however they are primarily concerned with the position of women. Feminism appeared in the
late 1800’s with the suffragette movement for the right to vote. The second wave was seen
in the 1960’s. There are many different types of feminism which all oppose women’s
subordination though there are disagreements among feminists’ theories such as Liberals
who believe in gradual progress with law and Radicals who take a more extremist view to
overcome them.
Para 1
Liberal feminists are concerned with human and civil rights and freedoms of the individual.
They believe men and women should have equal rights and this should be achieved by
gradual reform or piecemeal changes in society. Oakley argues gender roles (identities
assigned to females and males) are transmitted through socialisation from young.
For example, Oakley identifies verbal appellations in which gendered terms were given to
little boys and girls such as little girls being labelled ‘little princesses’.
Various households in the UK can also seem to reflect gender roles where women still do
majority if not all of domestic work within the home which mirrors functionalist’s Parsons’s
idea about instrumental and expressive roles. Postmodernists note there has been a rise in
same-sex couples who challenge these assumptions (no gender-scripts Dunne). Liberal
feminists continue to insist that change can be brought about by changing the status of
women through altering or abandoning laws that are unfavourable for women which will
open more opportunities for them. Recent laws include sex discrimination act 1975 and
Equal pay act 1970. Liberal feminists also recognize the shift from media messages that now
influence feminist ideas. McRobbie’s study highlights the transition of women from 1970’s
where marriage was seen as highly desirable and nowadays women are portrayed as more
assertive and independent glorifying the transition in gender role culture.
Para 2…
Liberal feminists are criticised for over optimism by radical feminists who believe laws set in
place are not…
Questions answered:
Outline and explain two feminist views of the role of women in society (10 marks)
Evaluate the contribution of feminists to our understanding of society. (20 marks)
Teaser:
Evaluate the contribution of feminists to our understanding of society. (20 marks)
Feminism is a conflict theory that often sees religion as an instrument of patriarchy-male
domination. Feminist theories overlap with other theories such as the Marxist perspective
however they are primarily concerned with the position of women. Feminism appeared in the
late 1800’s with the suffragette movement for the right to vote. The second wave was seen
in the 1960’s. There are many different types of feminism which all oppose women’s
subordination though there are disagreements among feminists’ theories such as Liberals
who believe in gradual progress with law and Radicals who take a more extremist view to
overcome them.
Para 1
Liberal feminists are concerned with human and civil rights and freedoms of the individual.
They believe men and women should have equal rights and this should be achieved by
gradual reform or piecemeal changes in society. Oakley argues gender roles (identities
assigned to females and males) are transmitted through socialisation from young.
For example, Oakley identifies verbal appellations in which gendered terms were given to
little boys and girls such as little girls being labelled ‘little princesses’.
Various households in the UK can also seem to reflect gender roles where women still do
majority if not all of domestic work within the home which mirrors functionalist’s Parsons’s
idea about instrumental and expressive roles. Postmodernists note there has been a rise in
same-sex couples who challenge these assumptions (no gender-scripts Dunne). Liberal
feminists continue to insist that change can be brought about by changing the status of
women through altering or abandoning laws that are unfavourable for women which will
open more opportunities for them. Recent laws include sex discrimination act 1975 and
Equal pay act 1970. Liberal feminists also recognize the shift from media messages that now
influence feminist ideas. McRobbie’s study highlights the transition of women from 1970’s
where marriage was seen as highly desirable and nowadays women are portrayed as more
assertive and independent glorifying the transition in gender role culture.
Para 2…
Liberal feminists are criticised for over optimism by radical feminists who believe laws set in
place are not…
