d).

Socialist Feminism

Traditionally feminism is often divided into three main traditions, sometimes known as the "Big
Three" schools of feminist thought: Liberal/mainstream feminism, Radical feminism and Socialist or
Marxist feminism.

Feminist theory falls under the umbrella of critical theory, which in general have the purpose of
destabilizing systems of power and oppression. Socialist Feminism is not a theory on its own, but a
critique of the Marxist and Radical feminist theories. Bryson (1992:234) argues that:

It refers to recent attempts to synthesize the insights of Marxists and radical feminism to build a new
theory combining the best of both. It rose in the 1960s.

There have been a number of different types of feminism over the years, all varying in goals and
strategies. One of the most extreme and controversial types of feminism for its time was socialist
feminism. Socialist feminism addresses women's inequality in a two-pronged approach, connecting
capitalism and patriarchy and proving that patriarchy isn't the sole source of oppression. The first
objective is often referring to women's limited roles in society, staying at home and raising a family,
as a major factor in their oppression. The second object aims to show that women can experience it
in various other ways, including race, class, sexual orientation, and education, among others.

Key Clarifications of the Theory;

 The theory is dualistic in nature with two evils mutually reinforcing,

 Marxists are criticized for focusing only on capital ignoring relations of men and women,
 Patriarchy is based on men’s control over women’s labour and this is part of the productive
process.
 Women produce, reproduce, socialize and service families at no cost. Women reproduce
workers for capitalists. They also reproduce offspring as well as workers for their husbands.
 Capitalism and patriarchy legitimizes class and gender inequalities.
 Capitalism and patriarchy legitimizes class and gender inequalities.

Possible solutions according to the Socialist Feminist;

 Women struggle should focus on conditions of production, reproduction, reproductive

rights, sexuality, and new forms of family organization.
 Women should be united by their experiences, disputes, race, class, ethnicity or religion
 All class and cultural forces of oppression should be ended in order to liberate women
 Women should work side by side with men and without any gender favouritism

Limitations of the Socialist Feminist Theory;

 Socialist- Feminists do not offer a theory of their own but only critique existing theories.
 Socialist- Feminists do not explain the origins of patriarchy and give no suggestions of how it
can be uprooted.
 It focuses on working middle class women leaving out peasants.
 Patriarchy can be strengthened and supported by other ideologies beside capitalism, for
example, culture, religion and socialization.
https://opentext.wsu.edu/theoreticalmodelsforteachingandresearch/chapter/feminist-theory/