This document provides information on the sociological perspectives of feminism and interactionism. It describes three main types of feminist approaches: Marxist feminism, which sees women's oppression as stemming from capitalism; radical feminism, which views patriarchy and male aggression as oppressing women; and liberal feminism, which believes equality can be achieved through legal reforms and changing attitudes. The document also explains that interactionism focuses on how individuals interpret situations within small groups and how this shapes their behavior and identity. Labels and stigma from others within these groups can influence whether people decide they are ill or not.

1. Lesson 2
Sociology
Feminism and interactionism

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

7. Where it all began…
The Suffragettes

8. 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.

9. IMPACTS OF FEMINISM
ON SOCIETY
PAY/LAW
WORKPLACE
FAMILY
EDUCATION
SOCIAL POLICY

10. IMPACTS OF FEMINISM
ON SOCIETY
FAMILY
Women go to work
and contribute financially
Have more say in
family matters
Stay at home dads
less of a stigma
WORKPLACE
Less sexism
(nude calendars, innuendos)
Better chance
of promotion
PAY/LAW
Equal pay act
Pension age
discrimination
EDUCATION
Girls are treated more
equally in schools
and are out achieving
boys
SOCIAL POLICY
Maternity leave
Paternity leave
Family tax credits
Nursery vouchers

11. • 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…

12. • 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

13. • 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

14. • 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

15. DIVISIONS OF FEMINISM
MARXIST
•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)

16. 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?

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

18. Now you can complete the Feminism
section of P1
•Outline the three main feminist
approaches
•Explain how women are socialised into
caring roles

19. Task One
Imagine 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.

20. Recap after holidays

21. 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 health
For each person write down:
• How your perspective applies.
• Link the key points.
• So why is that person ill?

22. ismism

23. 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?

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

25. 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

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

27. 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.

28. Impact of self image
When 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.

29. Can you think of some examples?

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

31. Stigma of labels
What stigma do you think
might be attached?Some people may not state
they are ill, due to an
attached stigma
E.g. HIV – Gay sex
STD – Promiscuous
THRUSH - Promiscuous

32. 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.

33. Impact of Labelling

34. Task Two
You 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

35. Assignment 1
You 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?

36. Assignment 1
You 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 CYCLEand link to depression
• People may not admit they’re ill due to stigma