So, Feminist are *Negative* and *Only See the Bad In Everything*

Sometimes Twitter is a fountain of fascinating information and sometimes you end up reading things like this and then rocking in the corner sobbing. I can't decide what bothers me most about this: that the information isn't actually correct or that it's supposed to be aimed at AS level Sociology students. Now, granted I live in Scotland so maybe I'm confused and the AS level is for 12-14 year olds but if it isn't then this is disgraceful.

This is the information on the unit of feminism in Sociology listed on Oldham Sixth Form College's Interactive Learning for GCSE and A-Level website:

FEMINISM

- Many feminists are very NEGATIVE about the society we live in and always see the BAD in everything. Most feminists believe that society is male dominated – this is called PATRIARCHY.  - They look at society on a MACRO scale [this means that they look at society on a large scale]. They want to generalise their ideas about males and females to the whole of society. - Feminists also believe that society is based on CONFLICT, this means disagreement. The conflict is between the SEXES – males and females. They believe that women have been disadvantaged in society and that men have more power than women and that this is not right. - There are lots of different feminist theories not just one. They all share one thing in common – they look at the differences in society between men and women and try to see how these problems could be solved.

THE 3 MAIN FEMINIST THEORIES IN AS SOCIOLOGY ARE:

- Liberal feminism – they believe that women and men are becoming more equal in society. They see that the problem was caused by the law being sexist and also the differences in socialisation[way we are brought up] between males and females. To solve this we need to be socialised differently and get rid of sexist laws. - Marxist Feminism – they believe that men and women are still unequal in society. Women arethere to benefit capitalism by being unpaid housewives and having low paid part time jobs. The problem is capitalism and the solution is to get rid of it and replace it with a communist societywhere men and women will be equal. - Radical Feminism – they also believe that men and women are still unequal in society. Women are seen as being exploited by men and patriarchal society. Some radical feminists believe the solution is separatism – this means that men and women should live apart.

TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF FEMINISM

1. True or False Quiz

2. Drag & Drop Quiz I

3. Drag & Drop Quiz II

I genuinely don't know where to start critiquing this. In a past life as a teacher, I can safely say that the level of understanding required in the quizzes at the end is what I would expect a 12-14 year old. Not at the beginning of the unit, clearly, but I can't imagine teaching 14 year olds who didn't find these definitions patronising.* As a mother, I'd just be angry. As a Feminist, well, I can't quite believe that anyone who teaches sociology could possibly think that *negativity* was the defining characteristic of Feminism.

I'd really like to know who wrote this guide and what exam board these children are sitting because I would hazard a guess that the sociology results aren't exactly stellar. The definitions of the terms are so simplistic as to be completely meaningless. Some of them are beyond wrong. There is no real understanding of the actual differences between liberal, marxist/socialist and radical feminism but that's because whoever wrote this doesn't know what Feminism is. Feminism is a political theory. That is kind of the whole point. There is no reference to reproductive freedom or the equal pay act. There is no reference to violence against women. The assumption that Feminism has no class analysis [one of the questions in the quiz] is farcical considering the inclusion of "marxist" feminism. Class analysis is kind of the basis of Marxist critique and the assumption that Liberal and Radical Feminists don't use class analysis is just silly. There is no mention of Women of Colour or the various waves of Feminism. There isn't a single named Feminist.

The definitions of communism and capitalism include no structural or power analysis. And, frankly, communism was never about equality between men and women. That's just stupid. I also missed the bit about capitalism requiring women to be housewives and work part time; as will the millions of women who work full time whilst being mothers and who still live in abject poverty. Differences in socialisation is meaningless unless you can identify what those differences are. Hell, 10 minutes on Wikipedia would better equip a student to pass their AS Sociology exam than this garbage.

I am really, really hoping that this is actually some media student's AS level final project because the thought of a teacher writing such utter drivel makes me want to cry.

I mean, it looks like its supposed to be a study guide detailing the required knowledge to pass an AS level but that can't be right. This can't possibly be a study guide?

*My teenager is currently pissing herself laughing at the definition of the word conflict.