Question: ‘Feminists argue that women occupy a subordinate role within religion’. With reference to sociological arguments and evidence, examine and assess this statement.
Semester 1 Access diploma 2019/2020 - Mark 80%
Answer: Feminist theorists similar to Marxists believe that religion can be used as an instrument of oppression and domination. However, feminists believe that rather than being oppressed by the bourgeoisie as a result of capitalism, females are oppressed by males as a result of patriarchy, a term that literally means ‘rule of the father’ and has is origins in intertribal relationships where women were gifted as wives. Patriarchy has no one clear definition that is accepted by all feminists. Sylvia Walby defines patriarchy as “a system of social structures and practices in which men dominate, oppress and exploit women”. She also argues against the definitions other feminists have applied to the word and states that there are six patriarchal structures which restrict women and help to maintain male domination. These are:
1. Paid work
2. Patriarchal relations within the household
3. Pat...(short extract)
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- Subject: Sociology
- Course: Sociology
- Level: Degree
- Year: 1st
- Mark: 80%
- Words: 1724
- Date submitted: February 25, 2021
- Date written: January, 2020
- References: Yes
- Document type: Essay*
- Essay ID: 8904
