1. Comparative Essay:
Liberal and Marxist Feminism
Name: Cathy Law
Student ID: 999776559
Course: WSTA03H3F
Instructor: Dr. Anissa Talahite-Moodley
Tutorial: TUT001
TA: Katie Milley
Date: November 26, 2012

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In the current world where gender equality and mainstreaming is a key area of
discussion in all aspects of the society ranging from politics and employment to
education, feminism has emerged as a strong philosophical concept. Women oppression
has to some extent been attributed to the male chauvinist society while at the same time
it has also been influenced by capitalism. In different ways and through various
concepts, Marxist and liberal forms of feminism explicate gender inequality in the
society, yet despite their contrasting views, they also share a few views.
Liberal feminists argue that, like men, women are rational beings and that they
deserve freedoms and opportunities similar to men in order for them to fully nurture
their talents. Opportunities such as voting as well as good education should be accorded
to every woman, just like his male companion. Marxist feminism emphasize that female
oppression in the male-dominated world is closely linked to capitalism. The nature of
capitalism is such that women, in this case, mothers and housewives, offer unpaid labor
services. Women further contribute to capitalist expansion by bearing and bringing up
children who grow up and join the labor force. The expenses of rearing the child are left
to the mother hence the capitalist system bears no losses, only absorbing the resultant
workers to continue amassing profits at the society’s expense (Varieties of Feminism 1).
Women are also more likely to accept lower wages and will take up low paying
jobs more readily than men. Consequently, men are also more likely to own private
property under the capitalist system which combines with the patriarchal society to
emphasize male dominance. Liberals however do not recognize the immense
contribution of capitalism to gender inequality. They believe that existing political
institutions can effectively bring about the desired change such as the Equal Pay Act
[1970] and the Sex Discrimination Act [1975] (Varieties of Feminism 1).

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The 'Reserve Army of Labor' is another distinguishing concept for the Marxist
theory. Capitalist economies tend to be dynamic hence during economic boom demand
for labor is high while during an economic slump, labor demand declines. This works
out favorably for the capitalists who offer average wage levels based on competition
during the economic cycles. As Veronica Beechey (1986) observes, women are more
suited to form part of the reserve army, only leaving household chores and coming out
to work during economic boom. During recession, women easily accept to either quit
their jobs or to be dismissed as they will revert back to their traditional household
chores. This aspect helps to explain the disadvantaged employment situation facing a
number of women (Varieties of Feminism 1).
Another major difference between liberals and Marxists has to do with the
solution to gender inequality. Liberals hold onto the view that gender inequality can
effectively be addressed through parliamentary reforms- abolition of capitalism.
Women need to get into active politics in order to effectively influence decision-making
process. While Marxists hold a negative view towards the family, liberals do not.
Marxists emphasize the male domination aspect in the family and the male contribution
towards female oppression. Liberal feminists do not consider men as the main factor in
gender inequality. They recognize the sympathetic feeling that some men have towards
women as well as the ill-informed aspect of the chauvinist society (Varieties of
Feminism 1).
The two forms of feminism agree on some aspects. Like liberals, Marxists believe
that women as a group are largely discriminated against. Men dominate the society, in
terms of job opportunities, political influence among other vital positions which
relegate women to junior positions hence inability to contribute to decision making
processes affecting them. However, Marxists believe that class inequality is a major

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factor in gender inequality. Although the larger percentage of women is exploited, the
working class category faces the greatest exploitation. Despite working class women
sharing similar economic circumstances with working class men, the same cannot be
said of upper and middle class women as the latter category is much better off, suffering
relatively lesser exploitation. Tackling gender inequality thus requires that class
inequality be addressed first (Varieties of Feminism 1).
Another similarity between liberal and Marxist feminism lies in the fact that
women suffering and oppression is caused by rules and restriction artificially created in
the society by males. Although Marxist and liberal feminists differ with regard to what
perpetuates the gender inequality-capitalism and class differences- one common factor
that clearly stands out is the societal contribution to both capitalism and class difference
which are both directly instituted by the society through various discriminative means.
Furthermore, both liberal and Marxist feminists believe that gender inequality is
harmful to the society. Although the two differ with regard to which solutions are to be
pursued, they both however acknowledge that the society is adversely affected,
economically, politically and socially when women do not achieve their potentials and
when they are denied their rights. In liberal feminists' view, gender inequality is
harmful to everyone as it negatively affects meritocracy hence depreciates economic
efficiency (Varieties of Feminism 1). Gender inequality ensures that women focus on
household chores thus preventing them from pursuing their dream careers. Equally, it
renders men incapable of enjoying quality time with their families as they always have
to focus on providing for family needs through employment.
Liberal and Marxist feminists differ and agree in a few aspects. While Marxist
feminists strongly emphasize the role played by capitalism in enhancing gender
equality, liberal feminists propose that only parliamentary reforms can end gender

5. inequality. Furthermore, Marxists stress the role of 'Reserve Army of Labor' and female
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contribution to gender inequality through reproduction. The two also hold differing
views with regard to family- Marxists hold a negative view while liberals hold a positive
view. From a similarity side, they both concur that women are largely discriminated.
Additionally, they both agree on the societal contribution towards continued gender
inequality as well as the negative contribution that gender inequality has on the larger
society.

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References
Lorber, Judith. Gender Inequality: feminist theories and politics. 5th ed. New York: Oxford
University Press, Inc., 2012. Print.
Varieties of Feminism (2012). Retrieved on November 26, 2012 from
http://www.earlhamsociologypages.co.uk/Varieties%20of%20feminism.html#a
nd