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Sociological theories within sociology - an introduction
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Here I describe and explain Marxism, feminism and functionalism along with strengths and weaknesses.
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Sociological theories – feminism, marxism, functionalism.Feminist perspectives
Believe society is divided due to gender
We live in a patriarchal society - dominated by and in favour of men
Men have higher paying, higher power jobs. (Easier for them to get them than women)
Concept of gender is not Natural, it is a social construct
Gender roles = what is expected of you because of your sex
Gender is not fixed, it is shaped by the society we live in
The core of the feminist perspective is liberal feminism
Suffragettes:
Launched in 1913 by emmeline Pankhurst
Because women were denied the right to vote
They used violent methods to get their point across
It was not until the death of Emily Davidson that their actions had influence
1918 - succeeded in changing legislation- women 30+ could vote
1928 - women over 21 could vote
Different types of feminism:
Liberal feminism
Believe in gender equality through changing legislation and patterns for socialisation
Actively political
“Women need to achieve cultural reform in addressing gender qualities”
Necessary to change the way men and w9men are socialised to change current gender
divisions.
Marxist feminism
Women are oppressed and economically exploited by the capitalist system
Capitalism economically exploits women in the home and the workplace
Believe women work a triple shift - paid work, housework and emotional work caring for
their family. 2/3 are unpaid.
Womens progress depends on the working class seizing the means of production, which
would be achieved through a revolution
Radical feminism
A woman’s biological makeup and reproductive role is the root of their oppression by men
Pays attention to the extent of male abuse in the home - manifestation of physical
exploitation
Believe in political lesbianism - living separate to men and having only same sex relationships
“The only way women can be truly free from male control is to have children outside of the
womb”
Dworkin 1891
, Rape and pornography are methods which men have secured to maintain their power over
women
Tong 1998
2 types of radical feminist :
Radical - libertarian
It is desirable for gender differences to be eradicated or reduced and aim for androgyny
Radical - cultural
Superiority of females. Celebrate characteristics associated with femininity and hostile to
characteristics associated with masculinity.
Some practice political lesbianism and live In women only communes
Black feminism
Critique other types of feminism
They believe the difference in experience between black/Asian women and white women is
underestimated - they are victims of racism as well as patriarchy
Black feminists claim black women hve more in common with black men than white women
Functionalist perspective
Focuses on the needs of society as a whole and sees society as based on shared values.
E.g. family socialises child for school, school trains for work
One of the oldest perspectives
Function of the family
Exists to provide a safe environment, provide economically (food/clothes), provides the next
generation (reproductive), socialisation
Function of school
Exists to give us special skills.
Helps socialise us into key values of wider society
Sift and sort us into suited jobs
Macro approach
Every institution has an important function to play in the maintainence of a stable society
Organic theory
Society is like a human body
Value consensus
Values = principles and attitudes that people regard as important to them
Consensus = shared
Refers to principles ,ideas and attitudes that are shared between social institutions
E.g. belief in respecting each other, belief in the importance of family, belief in democracy
Society involves gradually as institutions improve and change over time
Society is going through a “march of progress”
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