Capitalistic Perspectives of Gender:

Capitalism is an economic system that emphasizes private ownership, market competition, and the pursuit of profit. Within this system, gender
can be understood in a number of different ways depending on one's perspective. Here are a few possible perspectives on gender within a
capitalist framework:
1. Neoliberal Perspective: Neoliberalism is a political and economic philosophy that emphasizes free markets and minimal government
intervention in the economy. From a neoliberal perspective, gender is seen as largely irrelevant to economic outcomes. According to this
view, individuals should be free to pursue their own economic interests without interference from the state or other institutions. Any
differences in economic outcomes between men and women are seen as the result of individual choices, preferences, and abilities,
rather than systemic discrimination.
2. Marxist Perspective: Marxism is a political and economic philosophy that emphasizes the role of class conflict in shaping social and
economic outcomes. From a Marxist perspective, gender is seen as a product of social relations within capitalist societies. According to
this view, women are typically relegated to lower-paying and less prestigious jobs than men, and this is a result of systemic
discrimination and exploitation. Marxist feminists argue that gender oppression is intertwined with class oppression, and that the
struggle for gender equality must be part of a broader struggle against capitalism.
3. Intersectional Perspective: Intersectionality is a theoretical framework that emphasizes the interconnectedness of different social
identities, including gender, race, class, and sexuality. From an intersectional perspective, gender is seen as one of many factors that
shape economic outcomes. Intersectional feminists argue that gender discrimination cannot be understood in isolation from other forms
of oppression, and that the experiences of women vary depending on their other social identities. This perspective recognizes that
gender discrimination can intersect with other forms of discrimination to create unique experiences of marginalization and oppression.
History of capitalistic perspectives on gender:
The history of capitalistic perspectives on gender is complex and multifaceted, reflecting both the evolution of capitalism as an economic system
and the changing cultural attitudes towards gender over time. Here are a few key moments and trends in the history of capitalistic perspectives on
gender:
Classical Liberalism: Classical liberalism was an influential political and economic philosophy in the 18th and 19th centuries that emphasized
individual rights, free markets, and limited government intervention. From a classical liberal perspective, gender was largely irrelevant to
economic outcomes, and women were seen as individuals with the same rights and capacities as men. However, women were often excluded
from participating fully in the market economy due to legal and social barriers, such as restrictions on property ownership and employment
opportunities.
Industrialization: The rise of industrial capitalism in the 19th century led to significant changes in the gender division of labor. Women were
increasingly excluded from industrial work and confined to low-paying jobs in the domestic and service sectors. This created a gendered hierarchy
of labor that persisted throughout the 20th century.
Second Wave Feminism: The feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s brought issues of gender discrimination and inequality to the forefront
of public discourse. Second wave feminists challenged the traditional gender roles that had been reinforced by capitalism, and called for greater
opportunities for women in education, employment, and politics. This led to the passage of laws and policies aimed at reducing gender
discrimination and increasing gender equality in many Western countries.
Neoliberalism: The rise of neoliberalism in the late 20th century brought a renewed emphasis on free markets and individualism. From a
neoliberal perspective, gender was seen as largely irrelevant to economic outcomes, and any gender disparities were attributed to individual
choices and preferences rather than systemic discrimination. This perspective has been criticized by feminist scholars for ignoring the ways in
which gender is shaped by social and economic structures.
Intersectionality: The concept of intersectionality, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of different forms of oppression, has become
increasingly influential in feminist and social justice movements in the 21st century. Intersectional feminists argue that gender cannot be
understood in isolation from other social identities, such as race, class, and sexuality. This has led to a more nuanced understanding of how gender
intersects with other forms of oppression within capitalist societies.
Overall, the history of capitalistic perspectives on gender reflects both the progress and limitations of capitalist systems in addressing gender
inequality. While capitalism has facilitated economic growth and increased opportunities for many individuals, it has also reinforced gendered
hierarchies and created barriers to gender equality.
One of the primary ways that capitalism has impacted gender is through the division of labor. Under capitalist systems, individuals are encouraged
to specialize in certain types of work and to pursue their own economic interests. This has led to a gendered division of labor, in which women are
often relegated to low-paying, precarious, and feminized jobs, while men are more likely to occupy positions of power and authority in the
economy. This gendered division of labor has been reinforced by cultural norms and expectations that prescribe different roles and responsibilities
for men and women.Capitalism has also been linked to the commodification of gender. Under capitalist systems, anything that can be bought and
sold has the potential to become a commodity, including gender identities and expressions. This has led to the rise of industries that profit from
gendered stereotypes and beauty standards, such as the fashion and beauty industries. While this has created new opportunities for individuals to
express themselves and make a living, it has also reinforced narrow and limiting gender norms.
Another way that capitalism has impacted gender is through its role in reproducing gendered hierarchies. Capitalist systems rely on the
exploitation of labor, which has historically been gendered in nature. Women have been excluded from many types of work and have been forced
to perform unpaid care work in the home, which has contributed to their economic and social marginalization. Capitalist systems have also
reinforced patriarchal power structures, as men have been more likely to occupy positions of power and authority in the economy and society.
Despite these persistent inequalities, there have also been significant gains for gender equality under capitalist systems. Capitalism has facilitated
economic growth and increased opportunities for many individuals, including women. Women are now more likely to be educated and employed
than at any other time in history, and there have been significant gains in gender representation in many areas of public life.
However, there are also significant limitations to capitalist systems' ability to address gender inequality. Capitalist systems are built on
competition and profit, which can create incentives for companies to cut costs by exploiting workers, including those who are already marginalized
on the basis of gender, race, or other factors. This can exacerbate gendered inequalities, particularly in low-wage industries where women are
overrepresented.
Structural Functionalism
Structural Functionalism is a sociological perspective that emphasizes the importance of social structures and their functions in maintaining social
stability and order. It views society as a complex system made up of interrelated parts that work together to ensure the smooth functioning of
society. According to Structural Functionalism, each part of society has a specific function that contributes to the overall stability and survival of
the system. This perspective focuses on the role of social institutions, such as family, education, and religion, in shaping individual behavior and
maintaining social cohesion.
According to Structural Functionalism, the division of labor between men and women is viewed as a natural and functional aspect of society. This
division of labor assigns specific roles and responsibilities to men and women, based on their gender, which ensures that each person is able to
contribute to the overall functioning of society in a meaningful way.
In this perspective, women are often seen as responsible for the domestic sphere, which includes tasks such as child-rearing, housework, and
caring for family members. Men, on the other hand, are responsible for the public sphere, which includes tasks such as work, politics, and other
activities that involve interactions with the broader society. This division of labor is seen as natural because it is based on the biological differences
between men and women, such as the ability of women to give birth and breastfeed, which require them to spend more time at home.
According to Structural Functionalism, this division of labor is functional because it ensures that each person is able to contribute to society in a
meaningful way. Women's responsibilities in the domestic sphere allow men to focus on their responsibilities in the public sphere, which
contributes to the overall functioning of society. In addition, women's work in the domestic sphere is seen as essential for the socialization and
upbringing of children, which is necessary for the continued functioning of society.
Overall, the Structural Functionalism perspective on the division of labor between men and women highlights the importance of gender roles and
norms in maintaining social stability. While this perspective has been influential in shaping our understanding of gender roles in society, it has also
been criticized for overlooking the ways in which gender roles can be oppressive and limiting.
Critics of Structural Functionalism:
Structural Functionalism has been criticized by many scholars and activists, particularly in the field of gender studies, for several reasons:
1. Ignoring power dynamics: Critics argue that Structural Functionalism overlooks the power dynamics that exist in society and how they influence
social structures. This perspective fails to recognize that some groups in society have more power and influence than others and that this power
affects the distribution of resources, including gender roles and norms.
2. Limiting opportunities: Critics argue that the gender roles and norms reinforced by Structural Functionalism limit the opportunities available to
individuals based on their gender, which perpetuates inequality and discrimination. This perspective tends to view gender roles as fixed and
unchanging, ignoring the potential for change and progress.
3. Reinforcing gender stereotypes: Critics argue that Structural Functionalism reinforces traditional gender stereotypes and reinforces the idea that
certain behaviors and traits are appropriate for one gender but not the other. This perspective can lead to a lack of diversity and inclusivity in
society, as well as stigmatization and discrimination against those who do not conform to gender norms.
4. Ignoring cultural and historical factors: Critics argue that Structural Functionalism overlooks the impact of cultural and historical factors on the
development of gender roles and norms. This perspective tends to view gender roles as universal and unchanging, ignoring the significant
differences that exist across cultures and historical periods.
5. Failing to account for agency: Critics argue that Structural Functionalism does not adequately account for individual agency and choice in
determining gender roles and behaviors. This perspective tends to view individuals as passive actors who simply conform to pre-existing social
structures, rather than active agents who can challenge and transform these structures.
Overall, critics of Structural Functionalism argue that this perspective is limited in its understanding of gender and other social structures, and that it fails
to account for the complexities and nuances of human behavior and experience.
Gender Approaches to Development:
Gender Approaches to Development are a set of frameworks and strategies used to promote gender equality and women's empowerment in the context
of development programs and policies. These approaches recognize the role of gender in shaping social and economic outcomes, and aim to address
gender-based inequalities and discrimination through targeted interventions. The Gender Approaches to Development emphasize the importance of
empowering women and promoting gender equity in areas such as education, health, economic opportunities, and political participation. These
approaches also recognize the diversity of women's experiences and the need for intersectional analyses that take into account factors such as race,
ethnicity, and socio-economic status.