Marxist Feminism and the Family

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Marxist Feminism and the Family By Leanne,
Catherine, Claire and Ruosi
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What is Marxist Feminism?

• A form of feminism, based on the ideas of Marx.
• Combines the concept of patriarchy with the key
  concepts of Marxism.
• Believe that womens oppression is a symptom of
  a more fundamental form of oppression.
• Women are not oppressed by men or by sexism, but
  by capitalism itself.
• The position of women in the family serves the
  interests of the economy and the ruling class.

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Marxist Feminists definition of a family

• Marxist Feminists define the family as
• An institution which allows for inequalities
  between the sexes and which will continue
  throughout the generations.

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Role of the Family in Society

• Marxist Feminists suggest that the nuclear family
  meets the needs of capitalism for the
  reproduction and maintenance of class and
  patriarchal inequality.
• It benefits the powerful at the expense of the
  working class and women.
• To be an obstacle to women and to make sure there
  is male dominance in society.

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Basic Theories

• The family is patriarchal.
• Domestic labour serves the needs of the
  capitalist economy.
• The family has an ideological role.
• The family is an obstacle to gender equality in
  employment.

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Criticisms

• Women do play an important role in society as
  they provide a safety valve for the family.
• Nowadays there are laws to protect women in the
  workplace which means that it is impossible for
  women to be discriminated against.
• Men are now becoming more involved in family life
  such as child caring and house hold chores.