Women, Race, and Class: Angela Davis Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is Angela Davis's central argument?

We cannot just pay women to do housework because it is not enough.

Why does the capitalist mode of production make it unlikely that housework will ever be industrialized?

Because it would lead to a decrease in socialized housework

Because it would require a significant increase in wage labor

Because it would require large government subsidies (correct)

Because it would lead to a decrease in profit (correct)

Define socialized housework.

Housework that is no longer private; housework incorporated into the industrial economy and paid by the government.

What does Davis mean when she says that housework is a fluid product of human history?

The scope and quality of housework has undergone radical transformations and changes over time. Signup and view all the answers

What did Friedrich Engels co-write with Karl Marx?

The Communist Manifesto Signup and view all the answers

According to Engels, when did sexual inequality emerge?

With the advent of private property. Signup and view all the answers

How does the term 'housewife' reflect a partial reality?

It reflects the middle class, not all women who did housework. Signup and view all the answers

How did sexism emerge as a source of outrageous super-profits for capitalists?

Women were exploited by capitalists even more than men because they were treated as alien visitors in a masculine economy. Signup and view all the answers

Why has housekeeping never been the central focus of black women's lives?

As a direct consequence of having to work outside their homes as slaves. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of black women were in domestic/household cleaning type occupations in the US in 1960?

33% Signup and view all the answers

What does Davis argue should be argued for instead of wages for housewives?

Job benefits like paid maternity leave, social services like child care, higher wages for men and women, and improved status. Signup and view all the answers

How has both sexism and racism influenced the work history of black women?

They had to do their own work plus that of their white sisters; the demands of the white women's house have forced the black women to neglect her own home and children. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Central Arguments

Davis argues against merely compensating women for housework; systemic change and recognition of broader social benefits are necessary.
Paying women for housework fails to address the entrenchment of gender roles and the value of domestic labor in social structures.

Capitalist Production and Housework

The capitalist model prioritizes wage labor for profit; socialized housework challenges this structure.
Industrialization of housework requires substantial government investment, which counters profit motives in capitalism.

Socialized Housework Defined

Socialized housework refers to domestic duties that have been integrated into the industrial economy.
It implies government funding for housework, moving it beyond the private and individual sphere.

Historical Context of Housework

Housework is described as a changing aspect of human history, reflecting shifts in societal norms and economic structures.
The nature and perception of housework have evolved and will continue to do so over time.

Notable Works

Collaborated with Karl Marx on "The Communist Manifesto," discussing class struggles.

Sexual Inequality and Private Property

Engels posited that sexual inequality, as experienced today, arose with the establishment of private property.
The advent of private property redefined gender dynamics and social roles.

Representation of Housewives

The term "housewife" symbolizes a middle-class reality, overlooking the diverse experiences of all women performing housework.
Represents economic prosperity and social status tied to emerging middle classes.

Sexism as Economic Exploitation

Capitalists leveraged sexism, exploiting women who entered the workforce, which rendered them outsiders in the male-dominated economy.
Women's dual roles lead to greater exploitation, enhancing capitalists' profits.

Black Women’s Work History

Housekeeping has not been the primary pursuit for Black women historically due to the legacy of slavery and forced labor outside the home.
Their identities and labor have been shaped by systemic oppression and economic necessity.

Employment Statistics

In 1960, one-third of Black women in the U.S. were employed in domestic or cleaning occupations, highlighting labor disparities.

Alternatives to Wages for Housewives

Davis advocates for comprehensive job benefits over direct wages for housewives, including paid maternity leave and enhanced social services.
Emphasis on increasing wages for all and improving the status of domestic work is essential.

Impact of Sexism and Racism

Black women often juggle both their labor and the demands placed on them by white women, creating a dual burden.
They have historically been called upon to fulfill roles as caretakers in white households, neglecting their own familial responsibilities.

Description

Explore the key concepts and arguments presented by Angela Davis in her work 'Women, Race, and Class'. This flashcard quiz delves into the complexities of race, class, and the role of women in the capitalist society. Test your understanding of Davis's central arguments and the implications of housework in a capitalist economy.