Tong Chapter 3

This chapter offers a really interesting perspective on female oppression. Marxist's argue that class differences stem from economic differences and that capitalism fuels these differences. These differences are okay until both classes become conscious of themselves as classes. When this happens the system that created these classes collapses. So the question for Marxist feminists is, do women constitute a class? This is a difficult question. There is so much differentiation among women that it is hard to say they're a class. I would argue that they are not, however, in some respects they can act like a class. For example, they can come together and say that domestic work is productive work. This would allow females to be considered a class because this does not apply to anyone else. Also, Engels' view of marriage is notable. He considers marriage a purely economic arrangement and so for women to become "emancipated" from their husbands, they must first become economically independent. This relates to a class that I am currently in called Human Sexuality. The Professor makes this argument; marriage is a contract and is in turn oppressive. Because women are now technically "owned" by their husbands, they are restricted. I don't know much I agree with this. I think that this idea as well as that of Engels is a bit extreme. Hopefully in class other people will share their opinions!