Whereas conflict theory focuses broadly on the unequal distribution of power and resources, feminist sociology studies power in its relation to gender. This topic is studied both within social structures at large at the macro level and also at the micro level of face-to-face interaction. Because of this micro level study, feminist theory is sometimes grouped with symbolic interactionism. Feminist scholars study a range of topics, including sexual orientation, race, economic status, and nationality.
However, at the core of feminist sociology is the idea that, in most societies, women have been systematically oppressed and that men have been historically dominant. This is referred to as patriarchy. From the early work of women sociologists like Harriet Martineau, feminist sociology has focused on the power relationships and inequalities between women and men.
How can the conditions of inequality faced by women be addressed? As Harriet Martineau put it in Society in America :. All women should inform themselves of the condition of their sex, and of their own position. It must necessarily follow that the noblest of them will, sooner or later, put forth a moral power which shall prostrate cant [hypocracy], and burst asunder the bonds silken to some but cold iron to others of feudal prejudice and usages.
In the meantime is it to be understood that the principles of the Declaration of Independence bear no relation to half of the human race? If so, what is the ground of this limitation? Feminist sociology focuses on analyzing the grounds of the limitations faced by women when they claim the right to equality with men. Power is the key variable in the two main theories of gender oppression: psychoanalytic feminism and radical feminism.
Psychoanalytic feminists attempt to explain power relations between men and women by reformulating Sigmund Freud's theories of human emotions, childhood development, and the workings of the subconscious and unconscious. They believe that conscious calculation cannot fully explain the production and reproduction of patriarchy. Radical feminists argue that being a woman is a positive thing in and of itself, but that this is not acknowledged in patriarchal societies where women are oppressed.
They identify physical violence as being at the base of patriarchy, but they think that patriarchy can be defeated if women recognize their own value and strength, establish a sisterhood of trust with other women, confront oppression critically, and form female-based separatist networks in the private and public spheres.
Structural oppression theories posit that women's oppression and inequality are a result of capitalism , patriarchy, and racism. Socialist feminists agree with Karl Marx and Freidrich Engels that the working class is exploited as a consequence of capitalism, but they seek to extend this exploitation not just to class but also to gender.
Intersectionality theorists seek to explain oppression and inequality across a variety of variables, including class, gender, race, ethnicity, and age. They offer the important insight that not all women experience oppression in the same way, and that the same forces that work to oppress women and girls also oppress people of color and other marginalized groups. One way structural oppression of women, specifically the economic kind, manifests in society is in the gender wage gap , which shows that men routinely earn more for the same work than women.
An intersectional view of this situation shows that women of color, and men of color, too, are even further penalized relative to the earnings of white men. In the late 20th century, this strain of feminist theory was extended to account for the globalization of capitalism and how its methods of production and of accumulating wealth center on the exploitation of women workers around the world.
Kachel, Sven, et al. Zosuls, Kristina M. Norlock, Kathryn. Liu, Huijun, et al. Stamarski, Cailin S. Son Hing. Barone-Chapman, Maryann. Use your social media or use your email. Please complete the required fields. Email Required Please enter your email. Password Required Please enter your password Forgot Password. Login Not a member Register. This has transcended to waging legal and political clashes against gender based violence on a domestic level among others.
Feminist political philosophers have enlightened the distinct separation of domestic and public and their influence on maintaining patriarchal domination of women.
The domestic setup such as the family has provided for this type of notion, given the roles of bearing children and being caregivers in the household McAfee, What liberal feminism has done most convincingly is breaking down how modern society discriminates against women within male dominated fields.
In the light of this theory, liberal feminists have given the equality of rights to modernity. This perspective could not be comprehensive however to the difference between men and women, but there has been success in proving that this difference does not mean inferiority Zerilli, MacKinnon, The feminist theory goes deeper into exploring the nature of gender oppression using other perceptions of the feminist …show more content… However, male children have to separate from their mothers and identify with their fathers in order to be socialised according to their masculinity.
They develop strong ego boundaries and a capability for independent action, objectivity and rational thinking to suit the patriarchal culture. Women are a threat to their independence and male sexuality. Girls are then socialised according to what women are supposed to be seen as, and so they reproduce the same nature that reproduces a male dominance. It is these qualities that make them potentially good mothers, and keep them open to the emotional needs of men.
But because the men in their lives have developed personalities make emotionally guarded, women want to have children to bond with. Thus, children 's psychological sexualisation endlessly reproduced.
To develop the capacity to feed men, and break the cycle of sexual reproduction personality structures, psychoanalytic feminism recommend shared parenting after men learn to parent.
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