CSS Solved Gender Studies Past Papers | Marxist feminism is a philosophical variant of feminism that incorporates and extends Marxist theory and analyzes the ways in which women are exploited through capitalism and the individual ownership of private property. Discuss the development of Marxists/socialist feminism and the philosophical stance they hold to discuss gender issues and exploitation
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Question Breakdown
The examiner is of the view that the capitalist economic system exploits women, which is named Marxist feminism. Thus, he wants to know about the philosophical developments on which the theory of Marxist/socialist feminism relies and addresses women’s oppression and exploitation in the economic sphere.
Outline
1- Introduction
2- Philosophical stance of Marxist/Socialist feminism regarding gender issues and exploitation
- ✓ Women’s subordination is not because of biological disposition but her economic relations
- For example, women’s financial dependence on men|
- For example, women’s financial dependence on men|
- ✓ Gender oppression would vanish automatically when class oppression is overcome
- Class division leads to conflict and thus leading to gender oppression
- Class division leads to conflict and thus leading to gender oppression
- ✓ Women’s exclusion from productive labour is one cause of exploitation
- Men’s capacities are favoured over women thus, wage difference
- Men’s capacities are favoured over women thus, wage difference
- ✓ Women indulged in unpaid domestic labor/reproductive labor
- Women are forced to do childbearing and other household chores, and that too unpaid
4- Solutions proposed by Marxist/Socialist feminists to end women’s exploitation
- ✓ Reintegrate women into the public sphere
- ✓ Overthrow the existing economic system
- ✓ Equality of work, wage
5- Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Marxist/socialist feminism is inspired by Marxism and stands up against the claims of liberal feminism. Liberal feminism, however much liberal, failed to win the fight over equal rights for women. The demand to liberate women did not lead to the abolition of patriarchy in society. Marxist/socialist feminism was famous in the 1960s and 1970s, and its origin can be traced back to the 19th century. Both Marxist and socialist feminisms can be used as synonymous with each other since both demand the end of patriarchy and the economic growth of women. Marxist feminism considers capitalism as the main cause behind women’s exploitation. It says that class distinction is what triggers inequality in society. What is common in these two schools is that women as a class are exploited by men. The capitalists have always exploited women as a workforce, snatching equal economic opportunities and their fair share.
Philosophical stance of Marxist/Socialist Feminism regarding gender issues and exploitation
Marxist or socialist feminism builds their theory on a common point, which is calling men the exploitation of women. Following enlisted are the major philosophical points of their theories, which bring light to the issue of gender inequality and exploitation:
- Women’s subordination is not due to their biological disposition but their economic relations
Marxists argue that women are subordinate in society not because they are weak or delicate biologically but because of their meagre economic status. They, without any doubt, blame men for such an oppressive economic status of women and call them out for not providing equal opportunities to women. This can be ascertained with a simple yet realistic example of how men have made women financially independent of them. The male head of the family handles all major financial matters and not the female part. These men did not allow women to work, thus making them finally dependent on themselves and taking away their economic freedom. This makes his Marxist school of thought more apt when he calls men bourgeoisies and women proletariats.
Not just that, but he also explains the underlying concepts of such a problem which are the Conflict theory and Scarcity of Resources. The conflict theory and the scarcity of resources theory say that the two classes are already a war with each other because the resources are insufficient. The capitalists are the ones taking control of all the means of production as well as the relations of production, thus causing class conflict. This class conflict, therefore, leads to the exploitation of women at the hands of men. Thus, Marxist feminism says that it is men who are responsible for financially exploiting women.
- Gender oppression would vanish automatically when class oppression is overcome
Marxists further explain that the direct cause of gender oppression is none other than men and class oppression. He, in his theory, explains that gender oppression will automatically end when class oppression gets over. One way of ending gender oppression is to grant economic equality to women. The over-exploitation of women is particularly seen in labor market, where women face oppression at the hands of male workers. With that, they are paid way too less than men. This wage inequality is one type of gender oppression, as per Marxist feminists.
- Women’s exclusion from productive labor is one cause of exploitation
Women are usually included in cheap labors where they are not paid well, as mentioned above as well. However, this cheap labour benefits the capitalist system, which automatically lowers its production costs and increases its profit margin. Marxist and socialist feminism says the capitalist economic system favor men’s capacities over women. Moreover, it forces women to take on domestic tasks in the private sphere while men earn money in the public sphere, following the male breadwinner model. Gender equality is therefore not feasible under a capitalist economy.
“Sexuality is to feminism what work is to Marxism.”
Catherine Mackinnon
- Women indulged in unpaid domestic labour/reproductive labor
Women are also indulged in unpaid reproductive labor in the private sphere as well. They are always kept busy with rearing children, cleaning, cooking and all other household chores, while men are favored in gaining money. This leads to the financial over-dependence of women on men. This capitalism has led to not just the division of labor but the sexual division of labor as well. In our society, more importance is given to the production of material goods than to reproduction. For socialist/Marxist feminists, domestic work is a way to exploit women: it is work done for free, not remunerated at its fair value, which benefits both men (who do not have to do it themselves and can liberate free time or more time to dedicate to paid work) and the capitalist system (since companies do not need to pay women any wage for these tasks).
Solutions proposed by Marxist/Socialist feminists to end women’s exploitation
As per Marxist/Socialist feminism, women’s oppression is an extension of capitalist exploitation of proletariat (women in this case). Therefore, the theory provides with few solutions to end this gender oppression and exploitation:
- Reintegrate women in public sphere
One solution is to reintegrate women in public sphere by providing equal opportunities to women as that of men. It also includes equality in wages and economic opportunities.
- Overthrow the existing economic system
As per Marxist, the ultimate solution is to overthrow the existing male-dominant economic system. Since capitalism is at the root of inequality and patriarchy is a product of capitalism, gender inequalities would disappear in a classless communist society. In addition to abolishing capitalism, other solutions are proposed, including the revaluation of reproductive work through the collectivization of domestic work and child care.
- Equality of work, wage
The demands of equality of work and wage, as illustrated in liberal feminism as well, are common to Marxist and socialist feminism but somehow differ in goals. Marxist feminists want to end patriarchy by abolishing the capitalist economic system. While liberal feminists are limited to reformation and equal rights. Marxists want to avoid the conflict between the sexes, which in turn fuels class division.
Conclusion
Marxist/socialist feminism supports the viewpoint that patriarchy is the real cause of women’s exploitation in society. This male dominance makes women financially dependent on men, thus causing gender oppression. Moreover, capitalist society also favors men in productive labor while suppressing women by paying meagre wages. Women are left to deal with household stuff only which is also not free from male influence; thus, abolishment of this male-dominant capitalist society and integration of women is the only solution to end women’s exploitation in the economic sphere.
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