Politics: The Basics, 4th Edition

88 IDEOLOGIES

Table 4.1 Attitudes to gender differences

Radical Moderate Conservative

feminist feminist

Problem Patriarchy: ggovernment Under- None– apparent

by mmen. representation inequalities reflect

Domination and of wwomen; differentrole women

exploitation of women sexual play in society – caring

by older men. Ideology discrimination for others. Beauty,

dominates many gentleness, more

women’s thoughts as important than power,

well as social institutions etc.

and socialisation

Causes Sexist ppower sstructure. Prejudice, Biology.Evolution or

Rowbotham: sexual ignorance– God has given females

division of labour. tradition, genetic tendency to

Firestone: male control socialisation passivity; caring,

of female reproduction. conscientious

Marxist (Engels): disposition

reserve army of labour

Solution Revolution. Integration. Apartheid.

Marxist, personal or Women to play Women to remain

lesbian? full part in separate but equal

Society must be remade: existing society

assumptions refamily,

carers, careers, politics,

etc. reversed

Action Women’s lliberation. Female Legal aaction

Remove male structures participation. inappropriate.

of domination and ideology. Education Safeguard family

Personal – take control Piecemeal legal values

of own life. action

Marxist – as part of Use legal rights

proletarian revolution to full, e.g.

political

nominations or

educational

opportunities