Item A identifies feminist sociologists as supporting the idea that the main function of laws and policies on families and households is to reproduce patriarchy, even if this is sometimes unintentional. Feminist sociologists believe this because they see policies as a self-fulfilling prophecy that reproduces patriarchal values and because they believe that social policies can reinforce traditional gender roles, which again promotes the patriarchy. Item A identifies the New Right as contesting this view, as they contend that policies on families and households are part of what has led to the decline of the traditional nuclear family in part by offering so-called ‘perverse incentives’. The New Right believes that these incentives have created …show more content…
For example, Brenda Almond (2006) argues that there are social policies which undermine the nuclear family, such as those that make divorce easier as this challenges the concept that marriage is a lifelong commitment and has led to a rise in the number of reconstituted and lone parent families. The New Right also argues that a number of policies that increase the rights of cohabiting couples who are unmarried, such as equal adoption rights, suggests that the state does not view marriage as being superior to cohabitation, and in turn does not see the traditional patriarchal family as being superior to other family types. The New Right also argues that social policy has created a dependency culture and that welfare policy incentivises family types that they see as being dysfunctional, such as lone parent families. Charles Murray (1984-90) argued that benefits were too generous and rewarded irresponsible behaviour. For example, he argues that some fathers abandon their families because they know that they will be supported by benefits, but if the benefits were not available they would have stayed to support their family. The New Right argue that policies like this are causing a dependency culture, where people are not self-reliant but depend on the state to …show more content…
Other criticisms include the point that the New Right assumes that that the patriarchal nuclear family is natural rather than socially constructed, as all family types are, and ignores the fact that there have been matriarchal societies and families dating back thousands of
Feminism is motivated by the need to establish equality between the genders since most feminists attribute women’s problems to inequality between the two genders. Therefore, by way of a collection of political movements and social theories, feminists seek to curb this inequality between men and women. It is important to note that the equality sought after by feminists is not just economic and political, but also social equality. According to Heather Gilmour, The institution of marriage during the pre-modern era or the Victorian era was based on inequality as the roles to be fulfilled by both genders for the success of the marriage were essentially different (Heather 26). As the roles kept changing over time due to different circumstances, so did the expectations of marriage and along with that, the rise of feminist movement. Screwball comedies such as It...
According to feminist Victoria L. Bromley, if feminism is about combating all forms of inequalities, including oppression, towards all social groups, then feminists must study how masculinity oppresses both men and women. Patriarchy, men’s powers and dominance, hegemonic masculinity, the idea that the “dominant group” in society is most powerful, and hyper masculinity, the exaggeration of the emphasis on male characteristics, all lead to oppression through multiple forms: privileges and unearned privileges, hierarchies of power and exclusion. Bromley argues that the feminist approach towards eliminating oppression, is to use an intersectional analysis, a theoretical tool used for understanding how multiple identities are connected and how systems
Men were in control of almost everything a woman did. Women were seen to be second best compared to men, therefore, they were treated as such. Osmond and Thorne (1993) stated that “historically male experts have controlled women’s bodies, denying them the access to birth control and abortion; the large males dominated medical field established alienation conditions for childbearing. Most of the major professions were occupied by men” (p. 613). Feminist leaders also challenged the structural functionalism theory’s concept of the nuclear families. Feminists believe that following the traditional way of having a family would continue to lead to their oppression. Smith and Hamon (2012) stated “limiting families to the traditional nuclear definition restricts women’s roles to a subordinate position and discounts the experiences of women in diverse family forms” (p. 297). Feminists believed that men and women could perform just as well as men on tasks within society, therefore they felt that there should be no division or superior/inferior rank among
Blankenhorn wants men to be the center of the family financially, physically and morally. Feminists are fighting for the opposite; what he describes as “The New Father”. Feminists want androgyny in household and familial work, equal power between the genders but Blankenhorn says that this is destructive to the entire idea of family. Firstly, androgyny in the home would disrupt the already unstable role of a father. Second and most importantly, without strict gender roles, family becomes improvisation. There would be no distinctions between a mother’s work and a father’s work so within each familial unit, who does what work would vary. This is dangerous because it loops back into the idea that fathers aren’t necessary. If anyone can be the breadwinner, the protector, the educator, then there is no real purpose of the father, which is the problem mentality that we are trying to
In contrast, there is an alternative perspective (i.e. nurture) that has been gaining popularity. This
Feminist Theory is an aspect of considering feminism as having been based on socio-phenomenon issues rather than biological or scientific. It appreciates gender inequality, analyzes the societal roles played by feminists in a bid to promote the interests, issues and rights of women in the society. It is also based on the assumption that women play subsidiary roles in the society. The whole idea of feminism has however experienced hurdles in the form of stereotyping by the wider society. This paper tries to examine some of the effects of stereotypes that feminism goes through, what other philosophers say and the way forward towards ending stereotyping.
The New Right believes the family is the cornerstone of society. They see the ideal family is that of the nuclear unit, a heterosexual relationship based on love and commitment with the reproduction of children. They believe the cause of decline in the nuclear family is due to the change in society, which is threatening the norms of marriage. They believe it shall all be resolved with the return of the traditional family norms.
Feminist sociology focuses on examining and understanding gender in its relation to power within society as well as individuals. The fundamental principle of feminist sociology is the idea that in most societies, women have been oppressed and that men have been more dominant throughout history. Feminist theory directly relates to feminist sociology. According to the Introduction to Sociology 2e textbook, “feminist theory is a type of conflict theory that examines inequalities in gender-related issues. It uses the conflict approach to examine the maintenance of gender roles and inequalities” (Openstax 261). This paper aims to analyze feminist theory, discuss its history, as well as emphasizing a current social
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian author who has received numerous awards and distinctions. Her main argument is that everyone should be a feminist not because of our gender, but because it is what is right. Adichie has been featured in Beyonce’s song, “Flawless”, spreading awareness to the idea of feminism. “We Should All Be Feminists” is a book about her experiences in Nigeria, where men are more powerful than women. The intended audience of the passage is each and every person residing in heavily patriarchal societies. Hesr thesis is “we should all be feminists”.
Mason, Karen Oppenheim, An Jensen, and Janet Saltzman Chafetz. "Chicken or Egg? A Theory of the Relationship between Feminist Movement and Family Change." Gender and Family Change In Industrialized Countries. Oxford: Clarendon Press; 1995. 63-68. Print.
Bryant, J., Claridge, M., Fursman, L., Jacobsen, V., & Jensen, B. (2004, March). Theories of the Family and Policy. Retrieved February 27, 2011, from New Zealand Treasury: http://www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/research-policy/wp/2004/04-02/11.htm#_toc4.1
Feminism is the movement towards women’s equality. It fights for equal rights in the social, political, cultural and economical aspects for women. Feminism also fights for equal opportunity for women in employment and education. A feminist is someone who advocates their support for women’s rights but is not restricted to only women; anyone who supports women’s rights and equality are feminists, including men. Feminism is not only about the females, it fights for gender equality for all. Feminist movements, or Women’s movements, campaign for reforms in household issues with domestic violence, political issues with equal pay, employment and maternity leave, and reproduction rights. All feminism movements fight for equal rights, but it cannot be conquered or be made known all at once. First wave feminism was mostly about women’s suffrage and political equality in general. Second wave feminism went more in depth about the social and cultural inequalities.
Functionalists emphasise the harmonious nature of the nuclear family, believing it provides a more stable environment for the family and its individual members but also for society as a whole. It draws attention to the positive aspects of family life, fitting in with many people’s experience and expectation of the family as somewhere they are safe and cared for. Functionalists see the father taking an instrumental role, supporting the family by earning a wage with the mother taking the expressive role, caring, nurturing and taking main responsibility for the home and childcare. New Right agrees segregated conjugal roles are human nature and are reinforced by society’s norms and values.
Feminist theory is the extension of feminism into theoretical, fictional or philosophical dissertation. It helps to explain the main nature of gender inequality. It further explains the social roles of women in the society such as education, communication, philosophy, sociology and so on (Chodrow, Nancy 1991).
Feminism is defined clinically as the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes. By a less medical definition, feminism is a philosophy in which women and their contributions are respected. It is based on political, social, and economical equality for women ,and men in a few instances. Feminists can be anyone in the population regardless of sex, gender, or ethnicity.