Sociology Feminist Essay

Feminism is the belief that women are unfairly treated in society and it should be changed in order to create equality with men. They highlight 'patriarchy' and a need for change and women's independence. However, feminism is a broad term covering several different types, such as liberal, radical, and Marxist. Not all feminists believe the same and their ideas vary. Each of these approaches the family in a different way and offers different solutions to the problem of gender inequality.
Liberal feminists offer a hopeful account of family life. They see social changes that have been made in equality for women. They believe that not only have women gained improvements but men have benefited to by having a more happier marriage as the wife is much happier, more involvement in childcare and financial pressures are taken of them as wives can now work meaning more money is brought into the family. Two Liberal feminists, Okin and Richards believe that the changes that have occurred do not go far enough, they still believe the family is a non-egalitarian institution. However Okin argues that society is one in which child rearing and domestic work is shared equally; in order to achieve this she advocates the introduction of both state-subsidised nurseries and flexibility in employment. Another Liberal feminist Somerville, whose views are moderate, argues that some feminists fail to acknowledge the progress made by women in Britain as women have more opportunities and choices open to them now than what they did in the past and some men advocate greater gender equality. However Radical feminists criticize Liberal feminists as they believe they are to over hopeful in their hopes for the future and their views of the present.
Marxist feminists reject liberal feminist ideas. According to the Marxists feminist, Benston, patriarchy is a form of exploitation and oppression of women which is generated by capitalism. Benston argues that the traditional division of labour