Introduction to Feminism as a Conflict Theory
The feminist perspective, like Marxism, is a conflict theory. It focuses on the ways in which gender inequality is perpetuated and reinforced within societal structures, including families and households.
Feminists argue that the family is a site of oppression for women, where traditional gender roles and patriarchal norms are reproduced. This perspective seeks to highlight and challenge the power imbalances between men and women within the family and society at large.
A good place to begin revision is with the issues feminists have with the symmetrical family.
Issues with the Symmetrical Family
The concept of the symmetrical family, popularised by sociologists Michael Young and Peter Willmott in their study “The Symmetrical Family” (1973), suggests that family roles are becoming more egalitarian, with both men and women sharing domestic tasks and responsibilities.
However, feminists have significant issues with this concept. They argue that the idea of the symmetrical family masks the persistent inequalities and power imbalances that exist within households. Feminists argue that, despite claims of equality, women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of domestic work and emotional labour, and that the notion of symmetry can obscure the ongoing exploitation and oppression of women within the family.
Key issues and critiques of the symmetrical family – four key issues to consider:
1 Persistence of Gender Inequality:
Ann Oakley: In her critique of the symmetrical family, Oakley argued that the concept was exaggerated and that true equality in domestic roles had not been achieved. In her study “The Sociology of Housework” (1974), she found that women still performed the majority of housework and childcare despite the claims of increased male involvement.
Research Example: Oakley’s interviews with housewives revealed that only a minority of husbands participated substantially in domestic tasks, challenging the notion of symmetry in family roles.
2 Unpaid Domestic Labour:
Delphy and Leonard: In their work “Familiar Exploitation” (1992), Delphy and Leonard argued that the symmetrical family fails to address the issue of unpaid domestic labour performed by women. They contended that even in seemingly egalitarian households, women often bear the brunt of domestic responsibilities without recognition or compensation.
Concept: They introduced the idea of the “double burden,” where women are responsible for both paid employment and unpaid domestic work.
3 Emotional Labour:
Arlie Hochschild: In “The Managed Heart” (1983) and “The Second Shift” (1989), Hochschild highlighted the concept of emotional labour, which includes the emotional support and care work often performed by women within the family. She found that even in families where both partners worked, women were still primarily responsible for managing the household and providing emotional care.
Example: Hochschild’s interviews revealed that women were often responsible for maintaining family relationships and managing children’s emotions, adding to their workload.
4 Illusion of Equality:
Jan Pahl: In her research on family finances, Pahl found that financial power often remained with men, even in households that appeared to be symmetrical. In her study “Money and Marriage” (1989), she discovered that men typically controlled the family budget, highlighting an imbalance of power despite superficial equality.
Financial Control: Pahl’s findings suggest that the control of financial resources is a key area where gender inequality persists, undermining the idea of the symmetrical family.
Types of Feminism in the Context of Families and Households
Feminism is not a single perspective; it encompasses various strands, each with its own unique approach to understanding and addressing gender inequality within families and households. The following sections will discuss how different types of feminism—liberal, Marxist, radical, difference, and postmodern—view families and households in modern society.
Liberal Feminism
Key View: Liberal feminists advocate for gender equality through legal and policy reforms. They focus on achieving equal opportunities for women in education, employment, and within the family.
Sociologists:
Ann Oakley: In her work “Housewife” (1974), Oakley highlighted how housework is a form of labour that is undervalued and primarily assigned to women.
Examples and Application:
Paid Parental Leave: Liberal feminists advocate for policies such as paid parental leave to ensure both parents can share caregiving responsibilities, promoting equality within the family.
Gender-Neutral Parenting: Encouraging gender-neutral parenting practices, where children are not confined to traditional gender roles, can help dismantle patriarchal norms within the family.
EVALUATION:
Liberal feminism has been critiqued for being too focused on legal reforms and neglecting deeper structural inequalities. It is sometimes seen as insufficient in addressing the root causes of gender inequality, as it does not challenge the capitalist system that underpins patriarchy.
Marxist Feminism
Key View: Marxist feminists argue that women’s oppression is linked to the capitalist system. They believe that the family serves the interests of capitalism by reproducing labour power and maintaining the workforce.
Sociologists:
Margaret Benston: Highlighted how women’s unpaid domestic labour supports the capitalist economy by reproducing and caring for the labour force.
Heidi Hartmann: Discussed the interplay between patriarchy and capitalism, arguing that they are intertwined systems of oppression.
Examples and Application:
Housework and Childcare: Marxist feminists emphasize the exploitation of women’s unpaid domestic work, which subsidises capitalist profits by reducing the costs of labour.
Dual Earner Families: The pressure on both parents to work outside the home while still managing household duties demonstrates the capitalist demand for labour, impacting family dynamics and gender roles.
EVALUATION:
Marxist feminism is critiqued for its focus on class struggle at the expense of recognising other forms of oppression, such as race and sexuality. It may also underestimate the agency of women within the family and the potential for individual resistance to patriarchal norms.
Radical Feminism
Key View: Radical feminists view patriarchy as the root cause of women’s oppression. They argue that the family is a key institution in maintaining patriarchal control and that gender inequality is deeply embedded in all aspects of society.
Sociologists:
Germaine Greer: In “The Female Eunuch” (1970), Greer argued that women are conditioned to conform to patriarchal expectations within the family.
Shulamith Firestone: In “The Dialectic of Sex” (1970), Firestone advocated for the abolition of the family as it exists, seeing it as a site of women’s oppression.
Valerie Solanas: In “SCUM Manifesto” (1967), Solanas provocatively argued for the overthrow of the male-dominated society, advocating for radical and revolutionary changes to dismantle patriarchy.
Examples and Application:
Domestic Violence: Radical feminists highlight the prevalence of domestic violence as an example of patriarchal control within the family.
Reproductive Rights: Advocating for women’s control over their own bodies, including access to contraception and abortion, is seen as crucial for challenging patriarchal domination.
EVALUATION:
Radical feminism has been critiqued for its sometimes extreme solutions, such as the abolition of the family. It is also seen as essentialist, implying that all women have the same experiences of oppression, which overlooks differences among women based on race, class, and sexuality.
Difference Feminism
Key View: Difference feminists argue that women’s experiences of oppression are diverse and shaped by various intersecting factors, including race, class, and sexuality. They challenge the idea of a universal female experience.
Sociologists:
bell hooks: In “Ain’t I a Woman?” (1981), hooks highlighted the intersections of race and gender, critiquing mainstream feminism for ignoring the experiences of women of colour.
Patricia Hill Collins: Developed the concept of “intersectionality,” which explores how different forms of oppression intersect and influence each other.
Examples and Application:
Intersectionality in Family: Recognising that women of colour, LGBTQ+ women, and working-class women may face unique challenges within the family structure.
Support Networks: Emphasising the importance of community and extended family support for women who may not conform to the traditional nuclear family model.
EVALUATION:
Difference feminism is critiqued for potentially fragmenting the feminist movement by emphasising differences over commonalities. Some argue that it can make it difficult to develop a unified feminist agenda.
Postmodern Feminism
Key View: Postmodern feminists challenge the idea of universal truths and grand narratives. They argue that gender is a social construct and that identities are fluid and fragmented.
Sociologists:
Judith Butler: In “Gender Trouble” (1990), Butler argued that gender is performative, meaning it is created and reinforced through repeated actions.
Examples and Application:
Challenging Gender Norms: Encouraging fluid and non-binary understandings of gender within the family.
Diverse Family Structures: Recognising and validating various family forms, such as same-sex families and cohabiting couples, as equally legitimate.
EVALUATION:
Postmodern feminism is critiqued for its focus on discourse and identity at the expense of material realities. Critics argue that it can lead to a form of relativism that undermines collective action for social change.
Overall Evaluation of the Feminist Perspective on Families and Households
Feminism provides a critical lens for understanding the role of families and households in perpetuating gender inequality. Each strand of feminism offers valuable insights into the ways in which the family can be a site of oppression, while also highlighting the potential for resistance and change.
Liberal feminism focuses on legal reforms and equal opportunities, Marxist feminism links women’s oppression to capitalism, radical feminism identifies patriarchy as the root cause of gender inequality, difference feminism emphasises the diversity of women’s experiences, and postmodern feminism challenges fixed identities and universal truths.
However, each perspective also has its limitations.
Liberal feminism may be too focused on legal reforms, Marxist feminism may overlook other forms of oppression, radical feminism may offer extreme solutions, difference feminism may fragment the movement, and postmodern feminism may neglect material realities.
Overall, the feminist perspective on families and households underscores the importance of challenging patriarchal norms and advocating for gender equality.
It remains a vital framework for understanding and addressing the complex and intersecting forms of oppression that shape family life in modern society.
20 questions
- What is the primary focus of feminist perspectives on families and households?
- How do feminist theorists view the traditional nuclear family?
- What is the concept of “domestic labor” in feminist theory?
- How do liberal feminists seek to address gender inequalities in families?
- What is the significance of the “second shift” in feminist perspectives?
- How do radical feminists view the institution of marriage?
- What role does intersectionality play in feminist perspectives on families?
- How do socialist feminists approach the issue of domestic labor?
- What is the feminist critique of the “myth of the happy family”?
- How do feminists view the role of fathers in families?
- What is the feminist perspective on single-parent families?
- How do feminists address the issue of domestic violence in families?
- What is the feminist critique of traditional gender roles within families?
- How do feminists view the division of labor within households?
- What is the significance of the “dual burden” in feminist perspectives?
- How do feminists approach the issue of child-rearing?
- What is the feminist perspective on caregiving roles within families?
- How do feminists view the impact of economic policies on families?
- What is the feminist critique of media representations of families?
- How do feminists address the issue of work-life balance for women?