Strengths And Weaknesses Of Feminist Theory

Sociologists need theory. Theory is the building block in our area of study. Theory gives us particular ways of looking at the world. Theory gives us the language to describe, explain, and critique our social world. Overall, theory helps us as sociologist with conceptualizing our research and developing our own argument or framework. Pointing out the strength and weakness of a theory gives us a better understanding of the theories framework and also a better understanding of other theories. There are many theories that are critical parts of sociology, but there are two that interest me in particular. One is a theory that has classical roots, functionalism and the other, that has contemporary roots is feminism. Functionalism is a theory created by Emile Durkheim, which is the theory that social institutions in society exist to serve some important and necessary function to keep society running. Feminism theory on the other hand is a lot broader and is generally focuses on sex role differences and how they relate to the rest of the social organization. It also looks to critique …show more content…
Feminism is relative and depends on the intersection of other identities such as nationality, sexuality, race, and class status. Can a theory fully articulate a concept when there are other factors that affect the theory? On the other hand the biggest strength of feminism is that in many ways it is self-critiquing. Feminist theory is pliable and accommodating when it comes to an oppressed group that feels unrepresented within another oppressed group. Feminism is not static but fluid in many ways. And with each and every wave and development the theory gets better.
Functionalist theory works to explain the why and how every part of society has a function and feminism works to explain how women are excluded within other theories and how this is because of oppression and dominance by the patriarchy or