Feminism is a broad perspective
Feminism is a broad perspective. Explain in your own word the contribution put forward by
Marxist Feminism
Radical Feminism
Liberal Feminism
Difference Feminism
Feminism is a group of political movements broadly representing women's interests which they have been highly critical of the family but as any other critics they have tended to emphasis on the harmful effects of the family life upon women. In this aspect they have created new perspectives and highlighted new issues. Feminists have introduced the study of new areas in the family life such as housework and domestic violence into sociology.
The Marxist Feminism is acknowledging that women are exploited in marriage and family life but emphasise the relationship between capitalism and the family, rather than the family’s effects on women. Marxist feminists use Marxist concepts but see the exploitation of women as a key feature of family life. Margaret Benston states about the production of labour that “The amount of unpaid labour performed by women is very large and very profitable to those who own the means of productions. To pay women for their work, even at minimum wage scales, would involve a massive redistribution of wealth. At present, the support of the family is a hidden tax on the wage earner – his wage buys the labour power of two people.” (1972) The fact that the husband must pay for the production and upkeep of future labour acts as a strong discipline on his behaviour at work. He cannot easily withdraw his labour with a wife and children to support. These responsibilities weaken his bargaining power and commit him to wage labour. She argues that “As an economic unit, the nuclear family is a valuable stabilizing force in capitalist society. Since the husband-father’s earnings pay for the production which is done in the homes, his ability to withhold labour from market is much reduced.” Not only does the family produce rear cheap labour, it also maintains it at no cost to the employer. In her
Marxist Feminism
Radical Feminism
Liberal Feminism
Difference Feminism
Feminism is a group of political movements broadly representing women's interests which they have been highly critical of the family but as any other critics they have tended to emphasis on the harmful effects of the family life upon women. In this aspect they have created new perspectives and highlighted new issues. Feminists have introduced the study of new areas in the family life such as housework and domestic violence into sociology.
The Marxist Feminism is acknowledging that women are exploited in marriage and family life but emphasise the relationship between capitalism and the family, rather than the family’s effects on women. Marxist feminists use Marxist concepts but see the exploitation of women as a key feature of family life. Margaret Benston states about the production of labour that “The amount of unpaid labour performed by women is very large and very profitable to those who own the means of productions. To pay women for their work, even at minimum wage scales, would involve a massive redistribution of wealth. At present, the support of the family is a hidden tax on the wage earner – his wage buys the labour power of two people.” (1972) The fact that the husband must pay for the production and upkeep of future labour acts as a strong discipline on his behaviour at work. He cannot easily withdraw his labour with a wife and children to support. These responsibilities weaken his bargaining power and commit him to wage labour. She argues that “As an economic unit, the nuclear family is a valuable stabilizing force in capitalist society. Since the husband-father’s earnings pay for the production which is done in the homes, his ability to withhold labour from market is much reduced.” Not only does the family produce rear cheap labour, it also maintains it at no cost to the employer. In her