Introduction;
Feminist movements have grown and changed over the last few centuries. In the Western world, about a century ago, issues like voting rights were still brought up. However in modern society, we are at a point to focus on different problems like unequal conditions inside homes and at work. Just this month, in March 2024, an Irish referendum attempting to remove the
bias towards a mother’s duties in the house from the constitution failed. (Fahy, 2024) The differences that exist both at home and at work between men and women can be understood with the help of feminist theories. A variation of feminist theories exists: from liberal, to radical, to Marxist, to socialist theories. The Marxist theory analyses how gender oppression
exists in the capitalist system, which exploits women to provide cheap work and unpaid domestic labour. Critically looking at the Marxist theory, socialist feminism emphasizes that women are not only oppressed through the economic system of capitalism but also by the patriarchy. Gender roles that have been rooted in our society through socialization, which
enables inequalities both in the labour market and in households to exist. (Armstrong, 2021, p.36-38) These feminist theories help to understand the underlying forces behind unequal conditions within the house and workplace driven by a capitalist system and patriarchy. Through an understanding of such fundamental problems, these same theories might help us in finding solutions that address gender inequalities.
Unequal conditions at home;
Feminist theories can help us understand why women still bear the main responsibilities in household tasks in contemporary society. For illustration, research by the IPPR in 2012 discovered that in eight out of ten marriages women still spend more time doing housework than men. Even if women have high-paid occupations like in professional and managerial positions the majority still carry the largest part of the housework. In only 10% of all marriages, the division of housework is equal. The same research shows that the gender gap between domestic workloads increases after a couple gets married or has children. (Tess Lanning et all, 2012, p. 32) In Manchester, it was also proven that most household tasks themselves are not done equally by men or women. Women often have more responsibilities in routine tasks, like cooking, taking care of the children and cleaning. While men have irregular responsibilities, like cleaning the car and barbequing. So, while the number of tasks may seem to be the same, the hours spent on the tasks are on average bigger for women. (Warde & Hetherington; 1993, p. 35-37) This overbearing amount of domestic labour that many women come home to after a long do at work is also referred to as ‘the Second Shift’. (Hochschield, 1989, p. 12-13)
This inequality in the household dynamics can be explained via feminist theory. Marxist feminism argues that the cause of unequal distribution can be explained because women are entrapped in an exploitative capitalist system in which they are the marginalized group. Capitalism relies on the exploitation of labour to exist in all of society, according to Marxist feminists, this exploitation not only happens in the labour market but also in families. Historically women have handled unpaid housework and men have done work outside of the
house. Capitalism benefits from the devaluation of household tasks, as it results in unpaid labour. The many hours of uncompensated work help to keep the society running. (Engels, 1884, p. 72-79) While socialist feminists agree that a certain part of unequally divided household work is caused by capitalist exploitation, they argue that it is also partly integrated through the patriarchy. Following centuries of socialisation, norms that designate women to clean and take care of the home and children have become deeply embedded within contemporary society and societal structures. (Ehrenreich, 1976) These norms normalize the unequal division of labour at home along with the capitalist drive. Therefore, these feminist theories help us to understand why women still carry most of the workload in housework in society today, as capitalism relies on the exploitation of unpaid labour and these patriarchal norms are rooted in the systems.
Unequal conditions at work;
The unequal circumstances between genders extend to the workplace, where women face even more challenges like the gender pay gap and limited opportunities. These conditions can also be explained through the same feminist theories. In 2021 the average working men still earned 12.7 % more than average women in the EU. One of the factors is that women often go into underpaid sectors like health and education. (European Commission, 2021) Another large factor that influences the differences between women and men in the workplace is parenthood. Mothers are both put at a disadvantage with how they are perceived to be less competent and committed. In research, it became evident that while 84% of nonmothers applicants were recommended for hire, only 47% of mothers got recommended. Meanwhile, the recommended starting salary was also more than 7% lower for mothers than nonmothers. (Correll, Benard & Paik; 2007, p. 1315-1317) When you compare how women and men are influenced by parenthood it is clear that women often start to work less when getting a child, while men do not face the same consequence. In Great Britain, 41% of women are still not employed when the child is 3 years old. There is just 2% where the father is not employed while the mother is, while vice versa there is 29% where the mother is unemployed while the father has a job. When both parents do have a job, it is also more likely that the woman will work part-time, while the father works full time. (Dex & Ward, 2007, p. 45, 57)
Again, the unequal conditions can be explained through socialist and Marxist feminism. Marxist feminism shows that our capitalist society prioritizes to maximize profit instead of fair and equal compensation between men and women. As women’s labour, especially when they have children, has been devaluated compared to men’s labour, it is easier to give them lower wages or put them at home to provide unpaid domestic labour. This same undervaluation of their labour continues to impact them in opportunities for further growth in their careers. (Dawn, 2023, p. 2-6) In addition, it is important to look at the influence of patriarchal norms and stereotypes through socialist feminism. Women, especially mothers, work less in general because of long-standing norms in the patriarchy that say that women should stay home to take care of the household if necessary, instead of men. This results in lower maternal employment. These patriarchal norms also devalue and underpay sectors that are feminized, like education and care, in which predominantly women are employed. Once more, centuries of socialization have devalued women’s labour, which contributes to the gender pay gap. (European Commission, 2021) Overall, feminist theories demonstrate that women encounter greater challenges at work due to the devaluation of their labour caused by patriarchal norms and capitalist systems.
Solutions;
To effectively address sexism both at home and at work it is important to look at the underlying theories that help us understand the root problems of the issues. One of the biggest initiatives to help improve gender equality is providing free childcare. Women would be relieved from the excessive amount of domestic labour they have at the moment and the difference in unpaid housework between genders decreases. This extra time allows women to focus on work more and especially maternal employment would expectedly increase. Women’s labour is less readily dismissed than it previously was since they can devote themselves to their work to an just as much as men. Providing free childcare tries to diminish capitalist exploitation as well as trying to reshape gender norms around working women. (Sikiric, 2021, p. 109-111) On top of that, workplaces themselves can work towards being more family-friendly, through prioritizing parental leave and flexible work schedules. Parental leave for both parents would help to dismantle the stereotypes and patriarchal norms that women should take care of the children. Instead, it promotes that both parents contribute to the domestic labour and childcare after childbirth, distributing the exploitation of unpaid domestic labour equally. The same is true for a more flexible work schedule. Men can more easily take the opportunity to be at home to get used to sharing domestic labour with women. Thus, by implementing policies such as free childcare and promoting family-friendly workplaces, steps towards greater
gender equality both at home and at work can be taken. (Hotz, Johansson & Karimi, 2018, p. 37-41)
Conclusion;
In conclusion, feminist theories offer insights into understanding the unequal conditions between men and women both at home and in the workplace. Marxist feminism highlights how capitalism exploits women’s unpaid labour within households. It also shows that women’s work is generally exploited and devalue within the workforce, resulting in the gender pay gap and less maternal employment. Socialist feminism emphasizes the role of patriarchal norms and socialization in devaluing women’s work, both at home and at work. Socialist feminism makes it evident that it is always the women going back to unpaid domestic work, when necessary, instead of the men. By recognizing the underlying theories, initiatives such as free childcare and family-friendly workplaces supporting parental leave and flexible schedules can help relieve the burdens on women and help to increase gender equality. Ultimately, by incorporating insights from Marxist and socialist feminist perspectives, society can strive to be more equal and give both women and men equal opportunities and recognition, both within the home and at work.
Sources:
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