The author basically argues that many of the real issues facing women in our society are a result of amplified "principles of capitalism", a system of "extractive economy that mines any person, place and thing withing its reach", which have affected both men and women. The author quotes Betty Friedan in saying that the real reason behind the closing of the earnings gap between the genders is substantially because of the drop in men's earnings. More women are working, but not in addition to men. Men and women need to unite in this battle against the capitalist machine, instead of declaring each other enemies.
It is a reality that "the modern workplace makes time and energy demands that are suited to men and assumes that they have a spouse at home to take care of the chores of daily life". Not only is this seen in the workplace, but I've seen this especially in my church. It is expected that each individual has that nuclear family support structure, which allows the church to place demands on this individuals time and ability. Men work, women support. Women are assigned multiple individuals to fellowship (Visiting Teaching), expected to provide food for activities, decorate, provide music for services, all while juggling childcare, house maintenance and any semblance of social life they might have. Would you ever see a man bring a casserole? Decorate for the youth dance? Don't even get me started on the inequalities of visiting and home teaching.
I think this is why some people get disillusioned and offended in the church, because leadership see people in terms of households, which cumulatively have more resources to offer. Those members who do not fit in the box of the ideal Mormon family simply don't have the same physical and emotional resources to offer.
So often feminists react to the demands of domesticity, rather than this consumer based extractive culture they are operating under. The real issue here is that "women's tasks" or domestic productive tasks are demeaned, expected in support to the all important male providing role. Before the industrial revolution households produced rather than consumed. Families worked together, doing whatever they needed, regardless of gender roles. It is only in post-industrialism that gender roles became so firmly entrenched.
This idea fits right in with my developing perspective on Third Wave Feminism, the idea that each woman has the right to define feminism for themselves. There should not be any blanket description of femininity or masculinity that is imposed, in either extreme. The cultural emphasis of women as consumers, the "this product will make taking care of your family easier" tripe that we are fed daily in television commercials limits their identity. Where as "true domestic skills- ranging from gardening to fixing cars to cooking- offer a way to begin taking back our relationships" from the machine of capitalism. No one gender should have the monopoly on any domestic skill.
So, as my fellow blogger states, when asked about my future and I say "in all seriousness, 'I'm going to buy a milk cow and some chickens'" it is because I am writing my own definitions of femininity as a domesticly productive woman, taking a stand against the prevailing extractive consumption based culture.
Original post:
http://youngmormonfeminists.org/2013/05/29/hate-the-extractive-economy-not-the-domesticity-game/
