Sheila Rowbotham Flashcards
What did Sheila Rowbotham argue regarding the economic and cultural oppression of women?
Rowbotham argued that women’s oppression cannot be explained solely by economic factors (capitalism), but also by cultural norms (sexism). Both spheres need to be addressed for meaningful liberation.
How did Rowbotham view the relationship between capitalism and sexism?
Rowbotham believed that capitalism and sexism were closely interconnected, creating a system that exploited women in both the public (economic) and private (cultural) spheres.
What role did socialism play in Rowbotham’s feminist framework?
Rowbotham saw socialism as providing a framework through which gender oppression could be understood and addressed, making her a prominent figure in socialist feminism.
How did Rowbotham apply Marxist theory to understand gender oppression?
Rowbotham applied Marxist theory, arguing that while the roots of sexism predate capitalism, capitalism exacerbates and institutionalizes gender inequality. She compared the institution of marriage to feudalism, with wives resembling feudal serfs.
What is Rowbotham’s concept of the ‘Revolution Within the Revolution’?
Rowbotham argued that women’s liberation required a dual transformation: a revolution in both the political economy and cultural norms, involving radical changes in child-rearing practices, family structure, legal systems, and workplace environments to uproot both capitalism and patriarchy simultaneously.
What was Rowbotham’s view on women’s domestic labour?
Rowbotham argued that women’s domestic labor played a crucial role in reproducing the capitalist system, as it supported the broader economic system by raising children and providing emotional and physical support.
What did Rowbotham mean by the ‘Double Oppression of Women’?
Rowbotham contended that women faced a dual burden: economic oppression as part of the proletariat and sexist oppression through domestic labor that maintained the home and family with little recognition or compensation.
How does Rowbotham define socialist feminism?
Rowbotham is associated with socialist feminism, which integrates Marxist theory with feminist analysis, asserting that the liberation of women cannot be fully achieved without addressing both capitalist exploitation of labor and patriarchal structures in society.
What does Rowbotham mean by ‘Reproduction of Labor Power’?
Rowbotham argued that women’s unpaid labor in the home (e.g., childcare, housework) directly contributes to the reproduction of labor power, which maintains a future workforce exploited by capitalism.
How does Rowbotham see the relationship between patriarchy and capitalism?
Rowbotham argued that patriarchy existed alongside capitalism but was not simply a byproduct of it. Capitalism exploits women through gender roles and labor divisions that ensure their subordination and dependence on men.
What is Rowbotham’s perspective on the role of marriage?
Rowbotham compared marriage to a feudal institution, suggesting it restricted women’s autonomy and subordinated them to men in a manner similar to feudal serfs, maintaining patriarchal control and perpetuating capitalist relations.
What was Rowbotham’s critique of the idea of a socialist revolution alone achieving women’s liberation?
Rowbotham was critical of the idea that a socialist revolution alone could achieve women’s liberation. She advocated for a cultural revolution to challenge existing gender norms, including changes to family structures, childcare, and legal rights.
What are Rowbotham’s key works?
Key works include “Woman’s Consciousness, Man’s World” (1973), which analyzes women’s roles in capitalist societies, and “The Sufferings of Women” (1976), which explores the intersection of gender and economic structures, focusing on women’s oppression under capitalism.
How did Rowbotham influence later feminist theories?
Rowbotham laid the foundation for later feminist thinkers like Nancy Fraser and Sylvia Walby, contributing to ideas of intersectionality and the connection between economic systems and social inequalities.
What is intersectionality, and how is it related to Rowbotham’s work?
Intersectionality, coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, refers to how different forms of oppression—based on gender, class, race, and other factors—are interconnected. While Rowbotham did not explicitly use the term, her work provided an early framework for understanding these intersections, especially capitalism and sexism.
