Feminist theory section

[EclecticShock]

Its a bit quiet non existent. I know there's lots of posters here who have something to contribute to feminist theory. Any reason that its quiet? I love the way this chat area is working out but I also think feminist theory is important... Would be good to get a balance and make this an all round board. I'm not experienced in feminist theory, otherwise I would start a thread.

Thanks for responding mini, I wasn't aware.

Cleaning and all forms of domestic and child labour should be socialised, not paid but everyone should do their fair share, whether that be as a couple, a family or a commune. IMO

Doesn't work though if paid work is the only way of obtaining money. You wind up having to split roles to optimise time to earn money.

Yes it's that little problem of money, such a little thing causes so much strife.

If we all worked socially necessary hours and we all shared in the profits, if we learnt to live work and produce in different ways we wouldn't in fact be chasing our tails to earn more money. Anyone question why wages don't keep pace with inflation and we have so much debt, why house prices are not linked to the average workers income and governments can not meet social needs, despite the fact that welfare requirements are growing faster than the private economy. It's because the system is flawed and the top 10% do not invest in jobs and the real economy, no amount of trickle down economics micro or macro works. Employ a cleaner if you like but it won't change a thing.

The single most effective way of undermining male power is to antagonise the consolidation of class power. In the past working men, were exploited for labour and the capitalist made a deal with him, we give you, your women, do with them what you want. Now we have a situation where women are increasingly the working poor and yet we haven't overturned that agreement between capitalist and working man.

top 10% do not invest in jobs and the real economy

maybe the top 0.1% or 0.01%

For what it's worth, I do my own cleaning and I have a full-time professional job and bring up two children most of the time myself (OH works away).

For reasons I can't quite articulate, I am not comfortable with the idea of having a cleaner (and I would be even more uncomfortable with posting details of their background on an internet forum). I don't think it is demeaning to clean, I don't think it shows a lack of intelligence, I agree it can be monotonous (although it does allow time for undisturbed, reflective thought), but I can't quite get my head around expecting someone else (most likely another woman) to clean my family's detritus.

OH doesn't have an issue with hiring a cleaner at all, or me doing it, and to me, it is kind of a symbol of (usually male) privilege that expects there to be someone else to do the things you don't consider worth your time. I agree with Mini that if everyone worked reasonable hours and shared childcare and domestic duties, regardless of sex, then the world would be a fairer (and nicer) place.

Xenia,do you repeatedly tell your nanny,gardner,cleaner,cook or whatever,to aspire to get better jobs?