* Assess feminist views of the family.
OCR
A Level
2021
👑Complete Model Essay
Free Essay Plan
Assess Feminist Views of the Family
This essay will assess feminist perspectives on the family, exploring the key arguments and critiques within different feminist schools of thought.
Introduction
The family is a fundamental social institution, and its role in society has been subject to much debate. Feminist perspectives offer a critical lens through which to examine the family, highlighting the potential for inequality and oppression within its structures. This essay will assess feminist views of the family, exploring various arguments and critiques.
Liberal Feminist Views
Liberal feminists argue that gender inequality within the family is a result of social and cultural factors, such as traditional gender roles and limited opportunities for women. They propose that equality can be achieved through legal and social reforms that promote equal opportunities for women.
- Oakley (1974) argues that the division of labour within the family is not based on natural differences but rather on social expectations, demonstrating how women are disadvantaged in the domestic sphere.
- Somerville (2000) emphasizes the importance of women's choices and agency. She argues that women are increasingly exercising their autonomy and making choices that challenge traditional family structures.
Radical Feminist Views
Radical feminists argue that the family is inherently patriarchal, serving to maintain male dominance and oppress women. They view the family as a site of violence, control, and exploitation.
- Delphy and Leonard (1992) argue that women are exploited through unpaid domestic labour and emotional work, which benefits men.
- Research on domestic violence by Stanko (1990) and Dobash and Dobash (1979) highlights the prevalence of violence against women within families.
Marxist Feminist Views
Marxist feminists see the family as a site of capitalist exploitation, serving to reproduce the capitalist system. They argue that women's unpaid domestic labour supports the male workforce and sustains the capitalist economy.
- Benston (1972) argues that women are "slaves of wage slaves," providing unpaid domestic services for men who then work for wages.
- Rowbottom (1983) suggests that women are a "reserve army of labour," available to enter the workforce when needed but easily replaced.
- Ansley (1982) points to the "takers of shit" role women often play, absorbing the frustrations of male workers from the capitalist system.
Duncombe and Marsden
Duncombe and Marsden (1995) provide a useful framework for understanding the contemporary family. They argue that women face a "triple shift" of paid work, domestic work, and emotional work. This concept highlights the increasing demands and burdens placed on women within the modern family.
Pahl and Money Management
Pahl (1989) explores the issue of money management in families. He argues that there are distinct patterns of financial control, with women often having less autonomy and control over household finances than men. This can contribute to inequalities within families.
Evaluation
It is important to consider different perspectives on the family in assessing feminist views. Some key alternative perspectives include:
- Functionalist views (Parsons): They argue that the family performs vital functions for society, such as socialization and emotional support. They focus on the benefits of the family for individuals and society as a whole.
- Wilmott and Young (1973): They propose a "symmetrical family" where roles are more equal, challenging traditional views of the family. They argue that modern families are more egalitarian and less patriarchal.
- Marxist views: They argue that the family serves the interests of capitalism. Cooper (1972) suggests the family is an "ideological conditioning device" that perpetuates capitalist values and inequalities.
- Postmodern view (Bernardes): They argue that the family is fluid and diverse, with no single definition or structure. They emphasize the individual's choice and agency in shaping their family life.
- New Right views (Schlafly): They advocate traditional family values, emphasizing the importance of a male breadwinner and a female homemaker. They oppose feminist movements and argue for the continued centrality of the traditional nuclear family.
- Hakim: She critiques feminist views, arguing that women have choices and opportunities in the modern world. She claims that power is equal in the family and that feminists overestimate the extent of inequality.
Conclusion
Feminist views on the family offer a valuable critique of traditional perspectives, highlighting the potential for gender inequality and oppression within family structures. While liberal feminists emphasize the importance of social change and equal opportunities, radical feminists argue for a fundamental transformation of family structures to challenge patriarchy. Marxist feminists see the family as a site of capitalist exploitation, while other perspectives offer alternative views on the role of the family in society. By exploring the diverse arguments and critiques within feminist thought, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges facing families in contemporary society. It is important to acknowledge the limitations of feminist perspectives and consider alternative viewpoints. Ultimately, the assessment of feminist views on the family requires a nuanced and critical analysis of the various arguments and evidence available.
Assess Feminist Views Of The Family
Feminist perspectives have been highly influential in understanding the family, particularly in challenging traditional sociological views that often ignored the experiences of women. Feminists argue that the family is not always a harmonious and egalitarian unit, but that it can be a site of inequality, power imbalances and even oppression for women. This essay will assess various feminist viewpoints on the family, examining their strengths and weaknesses while considering alternative perspectives.
Liberal Feminism
Liberal feminists such as Ann Oakley highlight the sexual division of labour within the family. Oakley's research in the 1970s challenged the idea of symmetrical families proposed by sociologists like Wilmott and Young. She found that women still shouldered the majority of housework and childcare, despite increasing numbers of women entering paid employment. This dual burden, later termed the triple shift by Duncombe and Marsden to include emotional labour, demonstrates the continuing inequality within many families.
However, liberal feminists like Somerville argue that increased choice and legislative changes, such as the availability of contraception and divorce, have led to greater equality within relationships. They advocate for further reform to challenge remaining inequalities, such as affordable childcare and flexible working arrangements, to achieve greater work/life balance.
Radical Feminism
Radical feminists offer a more critical perspective, arguing that the family is inherently patriarchal. They view the nuclear family as a key institution that perpetuates male dominance and female subordination. Delphy and Leonard argue that women perform unpaid domestic labour that benefits men, while also providing emotional support, which they term emotional work. This reinforces women's dependence on men and limits their opportunities outside the home.
Radical feminists also highlight the dark side of family life, drawing attention to the prevalence of domestic violence. Research by Stanko, Dobash and Dobash has been crucial in highlighting the extent of male violence against women within the home, challenging the romanticized view of the family as a safe haven.
Marxist Feminism
Marxist feminists link the oppression of women within the family to the capitalist system. Margaret Benston argues that women's unpaid domestic labour serves the needs of capitalism by reproducing and maintaining the workforce for free. This reinforces women's economic dependence on men and confines them to the role of "slaves of wage slaves". Similarly, Fran Ansley describes women as the "takers of shit", absorbing the frustration and anger generated by their husbands' experiences of exploitation in the workplace.
Evaluation and Alternative Perspectives
While feminist perspectives have been crucial in highlighting inequalities within the family, they have been criticised by other sociologists. Functionalists, such as Parsons, argue that the division of labour within families is beneficial, with men performing the instrumental role and women the expressive role, contributing to the stability and functioning of society. However, this view is seen as outdated by many and fails to acknowledge the power imbalances inherent in traditional gender roles.
Hakim, a critic of feminist perspectives, argues that women are not passive victims and that many choose to prioritise family life. She suggests that feminists overstate the power imbalances within relationships and that men and women have equal power in contemporary society. However, this view downplays the structural inequalities and societal pressures that still influence women's choices.
Postmodernists like Bernardes argue that there is no single "correct" family structure in contemporary society. They highlight the increasing diversity of family forms and argue that individuals have more freedom to negotiate their own relationships. While this acknowledges the changing nature of families, it can overlook the persistent inequalities that remain for many women, particularly within traditional family structures.
Conclusion
Feminist perspectives have been instrumental in challenging traditional views of the family and highlighting the inequalities experienced by women. While they offer valuable insights, it's important to consider these perspectives alongside other sociological viewpoints. While the family can be a source of love and support, feminists remind us that it can also be a site of power struggles and oppression. Recognizing these complexities is essential for understanding the diverse experiences of individuals and families in today's society.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Possible Evidence and Arguments
The following list is indicative of possible evidence / arguments:
General Concepts
- Concepts such as private/public spheres, dark side of family life, consumer culture, sexual division of labour, work/life balance, dysfunctional, patriarchy, domestic violence, reserve army of labour, anti-social family, indoctrination, social control, dual burden, triple shift
Feminist Perspectives
Liberal Feminist View
- Oakley and the division of labour
- Somerville and the notion of choice
Radical Feminist View
- Nuclear families reflect patriarchy and therefore have a "dark side" in terms of oppression and male domination.
- Housework and emotional work – Delphy and Leonard.
- Evidence of domestic violence within families (e.g. Stanko, Dobash and Dobash)
Marxist Feminist View
- The dark side is that women are "slaves of wage slaves" (Benston; Rowbottom) and the "takers of shit" (Ansley).
Other Relevant Authors
- Duncombe and Marsden
- Pahl and money management
Alternative Perspectives
Functionalist Views
- Conjugal roles (Parsons)
Symmetrical Family
- Wilmott and Young – Symmetrical family
Marxist Views
- Power is shaped by the needs of capitalism – Cooper – family as an ideological conditioning device
Postmodern View
- There is an ambivalence and fluidity to what is normal or correct (Bernardes)
New Right View
- Schlafly
Hakim's Critique
- Hakim – critique of feminist views - power is equal in the family – criticisms of feminists
Social Context
- Differences in relation to social class, ethnicity, sexuality and age and life course.
Any other reasonable response
The selected knowledge should be directly related to the specific question.
Evaluation
In evaluation (depending on approach taken):
- Any other relevant response