A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

In feminist theory during the 1960s and 1970s, marriage was often described as what?

1. A partnership of equals

2. A legalised form of prostitution

3. A vital social institution

4. A pathway to personal freedom

The correct answer is: A legalised form of prostitution

During the 1960s and 1970s, feminist theorists critiqued traditional marriage structures, viewing them as inherently oppressive to women. The idea that marriage functioned as a "legalised form of prostitution" emerged from the perspective that women were often expected to exchange their domestic and emotional labor for economic security and social status from their husbands. This critique highlighted the inequalities within the marital relationship, where women were expected to prioritize the needs of their partners and families over their own aspirations and autonomy. This conceptualization challenged the romanticized view of marriage as an equal partnership or a positive social institution by emphasizing how it could entrap women in a subordinate role, similar to how societal norms and economic structures can exploit individuals in a trade-off that resembles prostitution. Consequently, this perspective served to illuminate the dynamics of power, dependency, and gender roles that were often masked by traditional narratives about marriage.