In some ways it is the ultimate alienation in our society…
““In some ways it is the ultimate alienation in our society that the ability to give birth has been transformed into a liability. The reason is not simply that, since women bear children, they are more limited in their movements and activities. As the foregoing discussion indicates, this was not a handicap even under the limited technology of hunting-gathering life; it certainly has no relevance today. ... The subjugation of the female sex was based on the transformation of their socially necessary labor into a private service through the separation of the family from the clan. ... The separation of the family from the clan and the institution of monogamous marriage were the social expressions of developing private property; so-called monogamy afforded the means through which property could be individually inherited.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The transformation of women's reproductive role into a liability stems from private property and monogamous marriage separating family from clan.
In simple terms: Women’s labor became a private service due to property structures.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how economic systems shape gender roles.
Themes
gender
economics
property
family structures
marriage
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- legal reforms
- educational curricula
- activist movements
Key Concepts
marxist theory
feminist critique
social history
Questions to Reflect On
- How does property affect gender dynamics today?
- Can alternative family structures reduce gender inequality?
A Different Perspective
Historical analysis may overlook cultural variations.