https://samuelbhfauredotcom.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/s7-jones-1996.pd
The article above discusses how IR is "one of the most gender-blind" perspectives, when it comes to contemporary social and political analysis. J. Ann Tickner, who we discussed in class, thinks that IR has a connotation to "maleness." This connotation leads women to be less valued in the work place. The goal with the feminist theory is to recognize gender in IR and move past gendered ideas.
One of Tickner arguments focuses around a marxist perspective. Marxism is the most compatible with a feminist perspective. The reading focuses on how women do not have the same opportunities as men in the workplace. Marxism rejects the idea of women's role in the family. However, this aspect of a womens life cannot be placed to the side. Being a mother and the caretaker of the family is essentially a second job. Tickner says that feminist argue that ignoring women in their reproductive and childrearing roles is a problem. This could led to intimidation in the workplace and taking time off to take care of their kids, which would just impede their opportunities for promotions and advancements. Ignoring a women's place at home, leaves all the unpaid labor that they perform in the family outside the economic analysis. This is something men do not have to worry about. Marxist neglects women in their domestic roles, which just creates a bigger issue for women regardless of their class. Marxist needs to pay more attention to women in their private role at home, because when women walk into the workforce they are still responsible for the housework and childcare. Change will only occur when women are finally equal to men in both the public and private realm. Moving past gendered ideas is the only hope.
I fully agree with you that the Marxist perspective needs to take into account that most women work strenuously inside and outside of the home. Even if they have high-powered and well-paying jobs, women still have to return home and cook or feed the children. An option would be having a "stay-at-home" husband, which is now becoming more popular yet not completely accepted by society. This Marxist perspective is a leading cause as to why women are putting careers over starting a family; the workplace does not give them the opportunity to do both - it is either one or the other. However, men do not have this problem. They can stay at home while their wife works, or start a job and automatically expect their spouse to take care of the household. On the other hand, women are not so lucky. Domesticity and economical success need to somehow coincide, beginning with for example extended paid labor when the women is out for maternity leave. From experience, I know my sister-in-law had a hard time obtaining this pay when she was pregnant with my niece; we do need to move past these gender ideas.
ReplyDeleteI do understand Tickner's argument in the sense that some work women do is not acknowledged, however, we do need to be wary of this at the same time. I say this because not all women want to have kids and be mothers. By speaking about this topic to the extent that she does, it can be argued that Tickner is reinforcing stereotypes of women. We need to be careful of this aspect of Tickner's argument because a feminist analysis is supposed to break down gender stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the world through gendered perspectives does create inequallities because it favors either women or men. However, because women are the creators of men and have been blessed with the ability to give birth we must acknowledge this. We must find a way to place greater value on these services rather than thinking it is a negative thing since they are taking time off from one particular job. Productivity does not stop, they simply stop one job and begin three others once entering into the home.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the world through gendered perspectives does create inequallities because it favors either women or men. However, because women are the creators of men and have been blessed with the ability to give birth we must acknowledge this. We must find a way to place greater value on these services rather than thinking it is a negative thing since they are taking time off from one particular job. Productivity does not stop, they simply stop one job and begin three others once entering into the home.
ReplyDelete