Marxist feminism

what ideas to marxist feminists reject and what do they argue instead

the idea that women’s oppression is just about stereotypes or male domination

instead they argue that women’s oppression is rooted in capitalism

what 4 ways do they argue women’s unpaid role as homemakers creates dependence and helps capitalism

being a source of cheap labour - women can be paid less as they are assumed to be dependent on male wages

acting as a reserve army of labour - entering and leaving workforce depending on economic needs

reproducing a workforce through unpaid domestic work - raising future workers and caring for current workers at no cost to capitalism

absorbing the frustration of exploited workers - Ansley (1972) called waivers the ‘takers of shit’ because they absorb male work stress and anger (can explain domestic violence)

what do they argue women’s liberation requires

overthrowing capitalism

what does Barrett (1980) argue about the ideology of familism

she argues that the ideas of the nuclear family and women’s unpaid labour being natural and fulfilling keeps women oppressed

it claims that women can only find happiness through motherhood and family life - this idea keeps women in traditional roles

what does Barrett argue about the belief of overthrowing capitalism

this alone is not enough as we must also challenge the ideology of familism to free men and women from stereotypes and achieve equality in domestic work

what is a strength of Marxist feminism

they correctly focus on capitalism’s role on women’s oppression and highlight structural causes (more than liberal feminists)

what are 4 limitations of Marxist feminists

they don’t explain women’s subordination in non-capitalist societies

they don’t fully explain why women do unpaid domestic work

they underestimate how men (not just capitalism) oppress women

it’s unclear if unpaid domestic labour is the cheapest way to reproduce labour power compared to market/state options (e.g.nurseries)

what are the 4 Marxist feminists solutions to oppression

overthrow capitalism

change the family ideology (to escape the pressure to conform to traditional roles)

increase public childcare and social services (reduces women’s unpaid domestic role so they can take on paid work and break cycle of independence)

supporting wc women (pushing for better wages, rights and conditions in work)