MARXIST FEMINIST

• BARRETT

  • Marxist feminists disagree with radical feminists on the grounds that: ​ 
  • Capitalism is the main cause of women’s oppression (not patriarchy). 
  • Capitalism is the main winner from female oppression (not men).   
  • They believe that women: ​ 
  • Provide cheap exploitable labour. 
  • Are a reserve army of labour.
  • Reproduce the labour force. 
  • Absorb anger.
• BARRETT

  • Ideology of familism:
  • Barrett believes that it is because of our ideology in society from birth that ‘brainwashes’ women to believe that the sexual division of labour and their position is natural and normal. The nuclear family is portrayed as the only place where women can attain fulfilment.
  • Achieving women’s liberation:
  • Overthrow capitalism.
  • Overthrow the ideology of familism that underpins the nuclear family and its unequal division of labour.