V. I. Lenin On The "Women Question"

Pateman, Joe

Abstract

In his writings and speeches Lenin showed considerable interest in the "Woman Question." He argued, first, that the exploitation of female labor performs a central function in the development of capitalism. He claimed that women are "doubly oppressed," since they lack equality in both the legal-political and domestic spheres. Second, Lenin endorsed the women's rights movement. He called for universal suffrage, criticized prostitution, and supported the struggle for freedom of divorce and abortion. At the same time, he sought to highlight the limits of female liberation under capitalism. Third, Lenin connected the emancipation of women with the construction of socialism and communism. In Soviet Russia he pushed for the equalization of male and female rights. He called for the mass participation of women in politics and economic administration. He planned the socialization of domestic labor and the abolition of household slavery. Under socialism, Lenin argued, women would emancipate themselves.

Citation

Pateman, J. (2021). V. I. Lenin On The "Women Question". Science and Society, 85(3), 302-331. https://doi.org/10.1521/siso.2021.85.3.302

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 23, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jul 1, 2021
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jan 5, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 21, 2022
• Journal: Science and Society
• Print ISSN: 0036-8237
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 85
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 302-331
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1521/siso.2021.85.3.302
• Keywords: Lenin; women; feminism; Marxism; oppression; emancipation
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5200508
• Publisher URL: https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/10.1521/siso.2021.85.3.302
• Related Public URLs: https://www.scienceandsociety.com/
• Additional Information: V. I. Lenin on the “Woman Question”, Joe Pateman. Science & Society 2021 85:3, 302-331. © 2021. Copyright Guilford Press. Reprinted with permission of The Guilford Press.