Adam Quote by Riane Eisler
“For both Adam Smith and Karl Marx the essential work of caring for people, starting in early childhood, was "just women's work" - and in their minds not even classified as "productive work."”
About This Quote
Source Book: "The Real Wealth of Nations", 1995
Both Smith and Marx relegated childcare to “women’s work,” excluding it from productive labor definitions.
In simple terms: Childcare was dismissed as non‑productive work.
Key Takeaway
Value caregiving as essential labor.
Themes
gender
economics
labor
childcare
productivity
Mood
critical
advocacy
Type
analytical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- workplace equality
- early childhood education
- economic analysis
Key Concepts
feminist economics
social value theory
historical gender roles
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies reclassify caregiving?
- What policies support equal recognition?
A Different Perspective
Changing entrenched economic categories is difficult.
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