Feminist’s theory has changed the way of figuring out the family through sociological examination on females’ undertakings within a family with more emphasis on gender roles in these family formations. It portrays the family as not able to handle the requirements of each member equally and hence, an institution which harbors social conflicts. Feminist theories advocate for gender equality and women’s rights and fall into four main categories.
These include the Marxist, liberal, socialist and radical feminism. Liberal feminists ascertain that there are transformations within the society that have advantaged the females since they are enhancing their social rank and their welfare. In a family, the male and female roles are being symmetrical since the males have become active in family engagements. In addition, women are also aiding in feeding the family which eases the burden on males.
Therefore, there have been diversified family activities such as recreation unlike the traditional norms initially undertaken by the family. Conversely, radical feminists’ points out that there is a general central force attributed to female subjugation referred to as patriarchy. In such families, males always outdo the females in most activities.
Therefore, the family harbors exploitation where children and their mothers are domestically violated through violence and labor. Radical feminists views that for the female oppression to be resolved, the family institution has to be abolished. (Code, 2000)
Similarly, Marxist feminists points out that a family is an oppressive institution which transmits capitalists ideologies to the juvenile generation. Women are the source of workforce and the only solution for their independence lies on conquering the capitalism and initiating socialism to achieve gender parity. Marxist’s thought fails to point out the distinct role of women in the family workforce.
On the other hand, socialist feminists say that conquering capitalism will never be a solution to achieve gender parity in the family setup. They insist that patriarchy is attributed to male supremacy and therefore should be challenged to achieve gender parity in the family institution. The socialist feminists’ disregards capitalism since it renders females subordinate and when challenged, the females will enhance their overall social status (Code, 2000).
The class stratum of a parent is influential on nurturing bad habits in children. For instance, when it is the male figure that is awarded the role of earning income in the family, while the women are left to be homemakers, there is the formation of a paternalistic family. Male dominance arises and becomes instrumental in the running of the family. As a result, the children emulate this and it is therefore transmitted to the incoming generations.
Some ideologies discussed by the feminist theories regarding domestic violence result from the fact that male dominance renders women subordinate since the males can easily contact power and the rightful resources to suppress women. In family life violations from a close partner is common and conventional. Moreover, women incidences are disregarded since male domination overshadows them in all activities.
Therefore, from a feminist’s perspective, gender parity is recommended not only in the family setup but also in the wider society as well. To achieve an egalitarian family where gender roles are shared evenly it is therefore crucial to have gender parity in every aspect of life, be it political, social or economic. This is followed by autonomy, flexibility and accomplishment in the family where no child is favored and every child is treated equally as reflected in lone parenthood.
Reference
Code, L. (2000). Encyclopedia of Feminist Theories. New York: Routledge.