WGS 301 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Marxist Feminism, Radical Feminism, Surplus Labour

• School: Syracuse University
• Department: Women’s and Gender Studies
• Course: WGS 301
• Professor: Robin Riley

Document Summary

The root of women"s oppression lies in capitalism. Some people think that capitalisms goal is equality but is not. Owners buy goods cheaply and pay workers poorly so they can sell the product on a high price and gain profits. Argues that capitalism couldn"t exist without women"s invisible labor in the home. They say that is impossible for anyone, especially women to obtain equal opportunity in class society where the wealth produced by the many ends up in the hands of few. Revolution: overthrow capitalism and replace it with socialism where the means of production is shared by all. First recognition of the economic aspects of women"s oppression. Names the work that women do in the home as labor. Critiques capitalism (up to this point it hadn"t happened) Emphasis on class erases all other aspects of identity. Does not take women"s bodies into account. Believes that in fact society is so radical that it cannot be reformed.