Family : Marxist Feminists : Benston

• Marxist Feminists

  Margaret Benston; women's subordination performs a number of important functions for capitalism

  • They can be paid less because it is assumed they will be partially dependent on their husband's earnings.
  • They can be moved into the labour force during economic booms and out again at times of recession. They can be treated as marginal workers because it is assumed their primary role is in the home. Margaret Benston called this the 'reserve army of labour'
• Marxist Feminists

  Margaret Benston

  • They nurture and socialise children to become the next generation of workers and by maintaining and servicing the current generation of workers - their husbands. This is done at no cost to capitalism.