Feminist explanations for Gender Inequality article

Feminist theories on gender inequality

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So what is gender inequality?

Gender inequality is the unequal treatment of individuals based on their gender (Giddens and Sutton 2013). This article will explore three different areas in which feminists believe this inequality is fuelled.

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Biological differences, a radical feminist view


The radical feminist Shulamith Firestone (1970, as cited in Giddens and Sutton 2013) believed that gender inequalities arise directly from biological differences between men and women.

What are biological differences?

Biological differences include hormones, brain size and genetics (Punch, et al 2013). This theory is known as essentialism or biological determinism (Giddens and Sutton 2013).

The Solution?

Firestone (1970, as cited in Haralambos and Holburn 2013) argued that women are disadvantaged by their biology, childbirth and breastfeeding having the most serious consequences as during this time women become dependent on males for physical survival. To combat this Firestone (1970 as cited in Donovan 2012) believed effective birth control would help loosen the chains of women’s slavery, and went on to suggest that technology like test tube fertilisation would free women from their dependence on men and end gender role divisions attached to child birth and rearing.

Biological reductionism

Firestone’s theory explains all forms of stratification, yet has been criticized for its inability to explain variations in women’s status in different societies (Haralambos and Holburn 2013). Some critics view radical feminist theories as being biologically reductionist, as they reduce the complexity of gender inequality down to simple biological differences (Giddens and Sutton 2013).

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Socialisation, a liberal feminist view

Liberal feminists take a different view and believe gender inequality is perpetuated by social and cultural attitudes and highlight the importance of gender socialisation as creating gender inequality (Kendall 2016).

So what is gender socialisation?

Gender socialisation refers to the learning of gender roles through various agencies such as the family and the mass media (Giddens and Sutton 2013). Primary socialization starts from an early age within the family, for example pink for girls and blue for boys (Fulcher and Scott 2011). Secondary socialisation includes influences from agencies like schools and the mass media which embody the stereotypical representations of males and females (Giddens and Sutton 2013).

How does this create gender inequality ?

Ann Oakley (1981, as cited in Haralambos and Holburn 2013) traced the changing status of women in British society since the industrial revolution. Oakley (1981, as cited in Haralambos and Holburn 2013, p.112) claims that

 “the most important and enduring consequence of industrialisation for women has been the emergence of the modern role of housewife as the dominant mature feminine  role”.

 This can be seen by the toys available for boys and girls, girls toys are usually dolls and kitchens, perpetuating the housewife role from a young age (Oakley, 2005).

Liberal Feminism contributions

Liberal feminists have made many contributions to the advancement of women, such as UK legal advances like the  equal pay act (1970), however critics say that liberal feminists are unsuccessful in dealing with the root cause of gender inequality (Giddens and Sutton 2013).

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Language, a postmodern feminist view

Postmodernist feminist Helene Cixous (1981 as cited in Haralambos and Holburn 2013) believes that language is male dominated, or as Cixous calls it phallocentric..Cixous (1993 as cited in Haralabos and Holburn 2013, p.124) is quoted as saying

“Everything is word, everything is only word…we must grab culture by the word, as it seizes us in its word, in its language…Indeed, as soon as we are, we are born into language and language speaks to us, language dictates its law”. Cixous, quoted in Haste, 1993.

Male dominated Language

Supposed gender neutral terms such as ‘he’ and ‘man’ actually have gender specific meanings in sentences such as ‘he drank the water’ (Saul 2010). These terms when used in sentences like ‘man breastfeeds his young’ seem ill formed as the term ‘man’ has a gender specific meaning (Litosseliti 2014). Feminists argue that the use of such terms contributes to the invisibility of women (Saul 2010).

Gender specific occupational terms

Feminists argue that gender specific occupational words such as ‘manageress’ perpetuate gender inequality further as they suggest the idea that maleness is the norm and women filling these jobs are somehow deviant versions of managers or other job roles (Saul 2010).

Postmodern feminism

Postmodern feminism highlights the importance of the male dominated language, they seek to deconstruct male language and masculine views of the world to replace it with a more open and fluid language which reflects women’s experiences (Giddens and Sutton 2013).

Feminism and gender inequality

Each different feminist group has different explanations for how gender inequality is perpetuated. Radical feminists believe biology is to blame whereas liberal and postmodern feminists believe cultural and social aspects are to blame. They have all contributed to gaining equality for women.

Want to get involved?

Elle magazines #morewomen campaign celebrates the global power of women and is encouraging women to support and help each other grow. Find out more at:

http://www.elleuk.com/life-and-culture/news/a27791/join-the-elle-morewomen-feminism-campaign/

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Reference list

Donovan, J. (2012) Feminist Theory: The Intellectual Traditions. 4^th ed. [e-book] London: A&C Black.

Available at: Google Books- Here [Accessed 14 January 2017]

Fulcher, J. and Scott, J. (2011) Sociology. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Giddens, A. and Sutton, P. (2013) Sociology. 7^th ed. Cambridge: Polity Press

Haralambos, M. and Holburn, M. (2013) Haralambos & Holburn Sociology: Themes and Perspectives. 8^th ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers

Kendall, D. (2016) Sociology in Our Times. 11^th ed. [e-book] Hampshire: Cengage Learning. Available at: Google Books-Here [Accessed 13 January 2017]

Litosseliti, L. (2014) Gender and Language Theory and Practice. [e-book] London: Routledge. Available at: Google Books-Here [Accessed 14 January 2017

Oakley, A. (2005) The Ann Oakley Reader: Gender, Women and Social Science. [e-book] Bristol: Policy Press. Available at: Google Books-Here [Accessed 14 January 2017]

Punch, S., Harden, J., Marsh, I. and Keating, M. (2013) Sociology: Making Sense of Society. 5^th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited

Saul, J. (2010) Feminist Philosophy of Language. [online] Plato.stanford.edu. Available at: Here [Accessed 15 January 2017]