Feminist Essay – Social Inequality You could be asked about feminist explanations of inequality; in this case you should focus on the theories of feminists. However, if you are asked about gender inequality, then you should mention both genders and a range of different theories REMEMBER Evaluate feminist explanations of inequality. Introduction Explain the overarching view Use key terms; gender, patriarchy, malestream Inequality is a gender problem Mention how feminists have debated between themselves about the significance of gender inequality and the route that should be followed to create equality between the genders but what they all agree on that society is patriarchal etc. Mention the key strands: liberal, Marxist, radical, black, postmodern However, there are criticism… Point Explanation Evaluation/Evidence Evidence/Evaluation Link back to question You MUST give real life STATISTICAL and NEWS examples to support your point/evaluation! A03 = 18marks! Main body The best plan for an essay assessing or evaluating feminism is to address each form of feminism that you are familiar with and then evaluate each one separately. It is easier to manage the various strand than dealing with feminism as though it was one perspective. Liberal feminists- cause of gender inequality is socialisation. Jaggar (Radical feminists argue that they overlook explanations for gender inequality such as violence against women/speed of social change is very slow, Hakim, women choose to put family before career/preference theory) Liberal- Gavron, women trapped by traditional roles within the family Walby- patriarchy operates in a different fashion in the public sphere and in domestic life. Mirrored by Oakley and working hours. Feminist– pay gap/glass ceiling, job segregation (Functionalist argue that gender roles are functional for society but not individuals, result of the differing biology of men and women. Promotes family – consensus) Greer, Firestone, Jaggar Socialist/Marxist feminist- combines feminism and Marxism. Double victims of patriarchy and capitalism. Lumpenproleriat. Barrett argues that the domination of men over women in the family is simply an echo in the family of capitalist domination over workers. (Benston, ideological element of patriarchy) Radical- Greer, Dworkin, Firestone, all share the common view that men and masculinity are the problem of society. Darker side of family/female experiences (Hartmann, 1976) attempted to combine Marxist and radical feminism by suggesting that domestic work limits women’s earning potential, and drives women into marriage and dependence- thus patriarchy and capitalism reinforce one another Black feminism- second wave Combahee River Collective (1977) all forms of inequality should be challenged, intersectionality. Postmodern feminism- development from black feminism, Butler Conclusion To sum up… give an overview of this theory- what does it do well, what does it miss? Feminism is a theory of different strands. Feminism in 2021?
