What strand of feminism does Rowbotham belong to?
Socialist feminism
Why did Rowbotham criticise liberal feminism?
Saw it as too middle-class
What was Rowbotham’s idea of ‘double oppression’?
Women exploited in both the workplace and the home
Saw the family as serving capitalist interests by disciplining women and offering men refuge
How did Rowbotham believe the patriarchy should be dismantled?
Advocated for social revolution, including women’s organising and men’s reeducation
What did Rowbotham believe about human nature?
Human consciousness is shaped by social and economic systems, not biology
Both men and women must transform their thinking to end patriarchy
What did Rowbotham believe about society?
Society is capitalist and patriarchal, built on women’s exploitation
The home is a site of oppression, not liberation
Supported practical reforms (e.g. laundrettes and nurseries) to ease domestic burden
What did Rowbotham believe about the state?
Liberal reforms cannot achieve equality under capitalism
The state reflects capitalist and patriarchal structures, so only revolutionary change can achieve equality
Wanted collaboration between men and women in a transformed socialist society
What did Rowbotham believe about the economy?
Capitalism exploits women’s paid and unpaid labour
Advocated for state-paid wages for housework and flexible working rights
