Lesson 2Sociology

Feminism and interactionism

•To describe 2 of the main sociological perspectives: •Feminism• Interactionism

Learning objectives

Feminism

So what do feminists believe?• Feminism is an alternative conflict theory, like Marxists.• Feminists see society as being fundamentally divided but between the

sexes rather than between classes. • Feminists believe that women are unfairly treated and they want to

change society so that there is equality between men and women.

Feminists argue that…• Feminist sociology stresses the importance of gender divisions in

society and it portrays these divisions as working to the overall advantage of men.

• It is men who rule society and who have the power in most social situations – in relationships, in families, in schools and so on.

• This situation is called patriarchy.

Over to you guys

You have 5 minsCome up with 3 arguments FOR feminism

Where it all began…The Suffragettes

HISTORY OF FEMINISM

• 1ST WAVE• Suffragettes wanted the right to vote• 1918 rights given to women over 30• 1928 equal right given at 21yrs

• 2nd WAVE• 1960s concentrated on equal rights in

the workplace• 1961 free contraception• 1970 equal pay act• 2008 women's pay still averaged

2/3rds of men's which decreased after 40yrs.

IMPACTS OF FEMINISM ON

SOCIETY

PAY/LAW

WORKPLACE

FAMILY

EDUCATIONSOCIAL POLICY

IMPACTS OF FEMINISM ON

SOCIETY

FAMILYWomen go to work

and contribute financiallyHave more say in

family mattersStay at home dads

less of a stigma

WORKPLACELess sexism

(nude calendars, innuendos)Better chance of promotion

PAY/LAWEqual pay actPension age

discrimination

EDUCATIONGirls are treated more

equally in schools and are out achieving

boys

SOCIAL POLICYMaternity leavePaternity leave

Family tax creditsNursery vouchers

• Men have tended to dominate social life.• Other sociological perspectives have been developed by men from

men's points of view.

3 main approaches:• Marxist Feminism• Radical feminism• Liberal Feminism

Feminists believe…

• Women, especially working class women, are seen as being oppressed both by the system and by men. She is expected to be a support worker to the system in socialising her children to ‘fit in’ and at the same time propping her man with home comforts so he can work.

Marxist feminist

• Men are the main problem as the family is seen to be patriarchal and using women as ‘domesticated housekeepers’ is a form of oppression.

• See the socialisation of women as housewives and mothers as a form of oppression and this oppression as a characteristic of nuclear family life (family comprising of a pair of adults and their children).

Radical feminist

• This is a more modern view, which believes changes have been made in society especially about the attitudes expressed above.

• They would argue that changes have taken place. They believe that , through changing attitudes and legislation such as the Equal Pay Act (1970)and the Sex Discrimination Act (1975) there is more equality.

Liberal feminist

DIVISIONS OF FEMINISMMARXIST

•Combines key concepts of patriarchy with Marxism

•Women’s oppression is a symptom of a more fundamental form of oppression

– CAPITALISM•Role of women in the family serves the interests of the economy and the

ruling class

RADICAL•Society is patriarchal and biased

towards men•Do not think lobbying will bring

equality•Men use aggression to control women

and thus maintain their dominant position

•Highlights dark side of family life

LIBERAL•Equality can be brought about through legal reform

•Men need to be educated of women’s potential•Advocate changing the system from within (lobbying and protesting)

RADICAL FEMINISTS

MARXIST FEMINISTS

LIBERAL FEMINISTS

Marriage is the theft of women’s labour

Marriage gives men property rights over women

Fathers should also have right to a close relationship with their children

Divorce allows women to escape a violent marriage

Women ‘service’ men like a car going to a garage

Many couples have equal partnership

Men do very little housework and childcare compared to women

Women are useful if there are plenty of jobs to fill but when there is not they are sent back to be housewives

Man is in touch with his feminine side

Who says what?

What gender stereotypes do you think you encountered as a child?

Activity

Hint: Think about what your parents roles were?

What toys did you buy or want when you were a child?

What was your favourite colour?

What did you want to be when you were older?

How would people describe you as a baby? Eg. Cute/ Pretty

Now you can complete the Feminism section of P1• Outline the three main feminist

approaches• Explain how women are socialised into

caring roles

Assignment

Task OneImagine you’re writing an article for a local magazine.

You are trying to persuade people to join the feminist movement.

Write an article outlining the key points of the feminists approach.

This can be used towards your assignment.

Recap after holidays

Lucy is a working mum with a 6 month old baby. She has recently started to develop migraines.

Arthur has been living in the UK for a year now. He has always suffered from red blotchy eyes and a mucus cough.

Collin can work up to a 10 hour shift some days sweeping, on the weekends he works as a postman to make ends meet. Hi cough has been getting worse by day.

You need to be able to relate the perspectives to healthFor each person write down:

• How your perspective applies.• Link the key points. • So why is that person ill?

ism ism

Rather than focus on large institutions, interactionism

focuses on small groups and how they influence individual behaviour and shape society.

What do interactionists focus upon?

Interested in what goes on within (rather than between) social institutions and interactions

between people.

What kind of groups do Interactionist’s

study?• They study diverse groups such as the interactions

between ….• Teenage gangs and older people

• Teachers and students• Patients and visitors on hospital wards

They study how the groups respond to each other

• They see our behaviour as being a result of…• How we interpret situations within smaller groups

• How we see ourselves in relation to other people in the group

Take a look at these images, what might influence the behaviour of the people in the pictures?

Teenager

Group of people

Family

Self image

• Interactionist’s study the complex interactions between people, their family and friends and their links with the professional services.

• They believe that these relationships have as much influence as any medical diagnosis on whether people decide they are ill or not.

Impact of self imageWhen people are ill they……………

Label themselves as ill e.g. having a cold or being ‘under the weather’ • They can attach a label to themselves.• Others can attach a label to them…….such as, who?• The labels can be either quite positive or negative. • Some labels have a stigma attached to them.

What is stigma?Can you think of some examples?

The stigma is attached due to the interpretation of the illness by the people who place the label.Examples from popular culture?

Stigma of labelsWhat stigma do you

think might be attached?

Some people may not state they are ill, due to an

attached stigma

E.g. HIV – Gay sexSTD – Promiscuous

THRUSH - Promiscuous

Labelling• CONSIDER WHAT THE ISSUES MIGHT BE WITH

LABELLING? (P1)e.g. Once diagnosed with, and labelled as having

depression, what might happen ?

• A main concern with labelling is that once a person is labelled as having an illness, that individual can fall into a negative cycle.

• This can have an impact on whether they recover or not.

Impact of Labelling

Task TwoYou are working in the health and social care sector.

You have been asked to produce a leaflet underling the issues of labelling and stigma. You must:• Outline the issue of labelling and the effects of being stigmatised.• What is labelling?• What is stigma?• What is the issues with labelling? - Outline the NEGATIVE CYCLE and link to

depression• People may not admit they’re ill due to stigma

This can be used towards your assignment

Assignment 1You can now complete Task 1 (P1)Interactionism

• Explain how interactionism influences individual behaviour.

• How do we interpret ourselves?• How are we influenced by others? (Health & Social

care professionals/family)• We have the power to choose how we behave

• How do our interactions with others shape our self-image?

Assignment 1You can now complete Task 1 (P1)Interactionism

• Outline the issue of labelling and the effects of being stigmatised.

• What is labelling?• What is stigma?• What is the issues with labelling? - Outline the

NEGATIVE CYCLE and link to depression• People may not admit they’re ill due to stigma