socialist feminism Flashcards
what is socialist feminism
Socialist feminists combine their beliefs in Friedrich Engels with feminism. Engels said that women were a key element in capitalism, but had been denied property so were oppressed. Women became the low paid army of labour. Marxist feminists therefore look to the destruction of capitalism as the only way to achieve female liberation.
how is socialist feminism similar to radical feminism
- women remain an exploited part of the workforce
- destroy the patriarchal state via revolution not reform
- both believe in intersectionality and challenge traditional gender roles
- agree liberal feminism does not go far enough
how is socialist feminism different to radical feminism
- differ on cause of the patriarchy –> men or capitalism
- radical feminists want a social revolution but socialist feminists want an economic, class, state revolution
- socialist feminists also recognise men being oppressed by capitalism
- socialist feminists believe the state is a servant of capitalism and the bourgeoisie whereas radical feminists believe it is a servant of the patriarchy
explain Sheila Rowbotham’s belief that “men will often admit other women are oppressed but not you”
- men cannot understand the nature of the oppression they are placing on women
- they can recognise it in theory but not practice
Rowbotham’s criticisms of traditional Marxist view on feminism
- agreed with Marxism that the position of oppressed women is economically determined but she thinks this view is too narrow
–> women are also oppressed in the home and wider culture, meaning a socialist revolution will not automatically liberate women, they must also be freed from those other places
Rowbotham’s view on the role of men in dealing with patriarchy
the personal relationships between men and women especially in the home are the root of oppression
it is as much the task of men as women to end the patriarchy, women cannot do it alone
men must be willing to relinquish their dominant position by seeing the patriarchy for what it really is
