Assessing The Feminist View That Conventional Malestream Theories Are Inadequate For An Understanding Of Women In Society

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Assessing The Feminist View That Conventional Malestream Theories Are Inadequate For An Understanding Of Women In Society

Feminism is divided into several different versions. However, they all

share several common assumptions. They view society as patriarchal,

that is, dominated by men. They see men as the most important source

of women's oppression in society. For example, feminists see men as

having the most power in the family. They have higher paid jobs and

they monopolize the media and politics.

The ultimate aim of all branches of feminism is to end male

domination. To awaken society to the oppression of women and to

eventually rid society of the exploitation of women.

Furthermore, feminists' agree that until the late 1970's sociology has

neglected to study women's issues and roles in society. Until recently

men dominated sociology. The studies were conducted on men by men. The

results were then generalised to the whole of society. Feminist felt

this generalisation was inadequate in the representation of women.

They called this male dominated sociology "malestream", a detrimental

term, as opposed to mainstream. Inadequate representations include the

role of gender in crime, inadequate research methods and a patriarchal

view that biology determines the division of labour. This essay will

focus on the analysis of these areas.

According to Durkheim (1938) and the functionalist perspective crime

is an inevitable by-product of a healthy society. He argued that crime

and punishment serves a function to society. Social change stems from

deviance therefore it is necessary for the advancement of society.

Albert Cohen (1966) and Rob...

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of labour is inadequate to explain the role of women in society.

Feminists have accused Murdock, Parson's and Bowlby of ignoring the

fact that culture and socialisation determines a women's position in

society. In Oakley's scathing attack on Parsons she accuses him of

basing his theory on the myth of male superiority therefore,

perpetuating the oppression of women.

Bibliography

Bilton T, Et Al, (1981), Introductory Sociology 2nd Edition, (London)

The Macmillan Press LTD

Haralambos M And Holborn M, (1991), Themes And Perspectives 3rd

Edition, (London) Collins Educational.

Haralambos M And Holborn M, (2000) Themes And Perspectives, 5th

Edition. (London) Harper And Collins Publishers LTD

Kirby M, Et Al, (2000) Sociology In Perspective, AQA Edition. (Oxford)

Heinemann Educational Publishers.

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