Feminism - Marxist

Question 1

Name a couple of key terms in Marxist feminism

Answer 1

1. Reproduction of labour force
2. Source of labour
3. Reserve army of cheap labour
4. Capitalism

Question 2

Who are the key thinkers of Marxist feminism?

Answer 2

Margaret Benston & Fran Ansley

Question 3

What did Fran Ansley say about Marxist feminism?

Answer 3

Women act like a sponge to soak up the anger and frustration that men feel because of their lack of power in the capitalist system. Women are ‘takers of shit’. Women are powerless

Question 4

What did Margaret Benston say about Marxist feminism?

Answer 4

Wives provide unpaid labour through childcare and housework. Feminism supports the capitalist system because it leaves the men to go out and work for effectively the labour of two people.

Question 5

What is an outline view of Marxist feminism?

Answer 5

The capitalist system is what is keeping women oppressed in the nuclear family and not mainly just men. Women are a cheap source of labour and keep things running at home so men work to make money for the bourgeoisie. Women also absorb the anger the men feel towards the capitalist system.

Question 6

How do children react towards being brought up in a capitalist environment?

Answer 6

They learn to submit parental authority which allows them to be prepared for their place in the hierarchy of the capitalist system

Question 7

Why is reproducing the labour power a bad thing in Marxist feminists eyes?

Answer 7

It allows the cycle to go on and for the mothers to keep getting singled out as a ‘slave’ at no cost for the capitalist employer.

Question 8

What does marriage mainly do for Marxist feminists?

Answer 8

Gives men property rights over them so they are able to control the women how they like.

Question 9

what can be some criticisms of Marxist feminism?

Answer 9

1. Does not explain the subordination of women in pre capitalist society
2. Many women may like the domestic role in a family and this is not false class consciousness
3. patriarchy also exists in not capitalist societies.

Question 10

What can be some advantages of Marxist feminism?

Answer 10

1. Identifies exploitation of women as the key feature of family life
2. shows the family is ideologically and socially constructed.