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Patriarchy at Work: Patriarchal and Capitalist Relations in Employment
The concept of 'patriarchy' is one which signals a sharp divide between traditions of feminist thought. Sylvia Walby attempts to conceptualize 'patriarchy' in a way that takes account not only of the complexity of relationships of gender, but also of the subtleties of the interconnections of patriarchy and capitalism.She rejects those accounts which treat patriarchy as a unified set of relations, or which confine the site of patriarchy to any one privileged sphere such as the family. Instead, she elaborates a novel view of patriarchy as a set of 'relatively autonomous relations', the connections between which are spelled out through a variety of detailed case studies. In contrast to many other views of 'capitalist patriarchy', Sylvia Walby characterizes the relationship between capitalism and patriarchy as a relationship, not of harmony and mutual accommodation, but of tension and conflict.This thesis is substantiated through a comparative historical analysis of three contrasting areas of cotton textiles, engineering and clerical work. These analyses show the shortcomings of much conventional literature in sociology, history and economics on women's employment, which pays insufficient attention to the independence of patriarchal relations. The book draws upon sociological, historical, economic and geographic materials to argue for an understanding of gender relations in terms of the specific tensions and compromises between patriarchal and capitalist relations. Exploring the impact of the state on patterns of employment and unemployment completes a book rich in theoretical and empirical analysis.Patriarchy at Work will be recognized as a major contribution to feminist thought and the social sciences.
292 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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September 28, 2026
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3.5 Stars
Overall Thoughts:
- Earlier this year I read Theorising Patriarchy by Sylvia Walby and I gave that a 9/10. It is a really great book and was published 4 years after this one. So, I have to commend Walby getting better as time went on, because this book was good, but not at the level of Theorising Patriarchy.
- I will say that although this book is 40-years old, it is fascinating that certain theories and ways of thinking mentioned are said every day in the present. It's funny how hard it is to kill ideas.
Premise/Plot:
- Walby spends the first third of this book going over literature surrounding capitalism and patriarchy. Particularly the nature of the relationship between the pair.
- The rest of the book sees Walby documenting patriarchy and capitalism in practice in Britain. She covers the period from 1800 - 1945. Paying particular attention to the condition of women and the economy during the World Wars.
- She also goes on to detail opposition from unions to admit women into roles such as engineer, spinner, clerk.
- A foundation in Walby’s thoughts, is that women play a significant role in breaking free of any restrictions placed on them. Whether by organising, unionising, striking etc.
Themes:
- Discrimination, sexism, the battle between capitalism and patriarchy, the political side of unions, economic disruption etc.
Pros:
1. I really liked the literature review we got in chapter 2: Theories of Gender Inequality: a Critique. Walby goes over a wide range of literature and explores where the literature lacks. But she does say to what degree certain writers have added to the field. Also, she critiques the critics of certain writers if she feels they have missed the point or have introduced new problems they didn’t consider.
2. The history and theories surrounding the Factories Act was interesting to read about. Walby’s presentation of the literature and criticisms shows how complex a situation like that was. As Walby shows the complications behind the true motives of the Act and its intent to exclude women and strengthen patriarchal relations.
3. The presentation of very important history in general, was quite well presented in this book. And I appreciated that.
4. Walby actually tries to theorise patriarchy without being a misandrist - always a bonus.
5. The research is immaculate and impressive. Plus, the amount of books I've added to my TBR makes me very happy.
Cons:
1. At times Walby’s analysis is stifled and repetitive. She doesn’t combine economic, family life and cultural variables into her analysis at all.
2. This book was heavy on theory, which I liked. However, coupled with the heavy dose of history and this book feels very impersonal. Walby doesn't go through any case studies of female engineers who struggled to be recognised as a skilled engineer like her male counterparts for example.
3. I don't think Walby adequately accomplishes what she set out to do. Yes, she proved a theory of gender equality. But she didn't say anything that hadn't already been covered in earlier 20th century literature.
4. This book is purely analytical. Walby doesn't dive into workplace environments or provide any solutions. She also doesn't dive into family life to theorise what the best solution could be for everyone. She just wants to analyse the relationship between women, men, capitalism and patriarchy. That's it.
Quotes:
‘We, as an organisation are opposed to the introduction of women as a general principle. (Jack Tanner, President, Amalgamated Engineering Union, 1940).’
‘I will attempt to develop a theory of gender inequality, to build an adequate model of patriarchy and to demonstrate the significance of patriarchal relations in employment for the explanation of the position of women in contemporary society.’
‘James and Dalla Costa (1973) see domestic labour as production. They argue that housework is work, that it is central to the workings of capital, that without it the capitalist system will collapse, and hence that is production.’
‘Himmelweit and Mohun (1977) argue that domestic labour is productive only in the sense that it produces use-values for immediate consumption.’
‘Sexuality is to feminism what work is to Marxism: that which is most one’s own, yet most taken away. (MacKinnon, 1982: 1).’
‘Patriarchy is distinctive in being a system of interrelated structures through which men exploit women, while capitalism is a system in which capital expropriates wage labourers.’
‘Raising children without a spouse may relieve the mother of certain forms of interpersonal oppression, but the grinding poverty which typically ensues is no liberation into equality either.’
‘I would argue that, when patriarchy is in articulation with capitalism, the state should, be seen as both patriarchal and capitalist. Such a dualist conception of the state is only a problem if the state is incorrectly considered to act in a monolithic manner.’
‘In 1873 a Home Office report recommended that there should be a further reduction in the number of hours which could be legally worked for pay by women from 60 to 54.’
‘There was less emphasis on the breaking down of the work tasks in the Bedaux system and more weight on work intensification and the increased utilisation of machinery. Thus, the tendency to feminisation of the work force which Braverman identifies in Taylor’s system of scientific management is less likely in Bedaux’s.’
Sources Referenced That I Added to My TBR:
1. Dependence and Exploitation in Work and Marriage edited by Diana Leonard & Sheila Allen
2. The Evolution of the British Welfare State: A History of Social Policy since the Industrial Revolution by Derek Fraser
3. Theories of Poverty and Underemployment: Orthodox, Radical, and Dual Labor Market Perspectives by David M. Gordon
4. The Capitalist State: Marxist Theories and Methods by Bob Jessop
5. Women & Revolution – A discussion of the unhappy marriage of Marxism and Feminism by Lydia Sargent
6. Class Inequality and Political Order: Social Stratification in Capitalist and Communist Societies by Frank Parkin
7. The Degradation of Work?: Skill, Deskilling and the Labour Process by Stephen Wood
8. Labour and Racism by Annie Phizacklea & Robert Miles
9. Biological Politics: Feminist and Anti-feminist Perspectives by Janet Sayers
3.5 Stars
Overall Thoughts:
- Earlier this year I read Theorising Patriarchy by Sylvia Walby and I gave that a 9/10. It is a really great book and was published 4 years after this one. So, I have to commend Walby getting better as time went on, because this book was good, but not at the level of Theorising Patriarchy.
- I will say that although this book is 40-years old, it is fascinating that certain theories and ways of thinking mentioned are said every day in the present. It's funny how hard it is to kill ideas.
Premise/Plot:
- Walby spends the first third of this book going over literature surrounding capitalism and patriarchy. Particularly the nature of the relationship between the pair.
- The rest of the book sees Walby documenting patriarchy and capitalism in practice in Britain. She covers the period from 1800 - 1945. Paying particular attention to the condition of women and the economy during the World Wars.
- She also goes on to detail opposition from unions to admit women into roles such as engineer, spinner, clerk.
- A foundation in Walby’s thoughts, is that women play a significant role in breaking free of any restrictions placed on them. Whether by organising, unionising, striking etc.
Themes:
- Discrimination, sexism, the battle between capitalism and patriarchy, the political side of unions, economic disruption etc.
Pros:
1. I really liked the literature review we got in chapter 2: Theories of Gender Inequality: a Critique. Walby goes over a wide range of literature and explores where the literature lacks. But she does say to what degree certain writers have added to the field. Also, she critiques the critics of certain writers if she feels they have missed the point or have introduced new problems they didn’t consider.
2. The history and theories surrounding the Factories Act was interesting to read about. Walby’s presentation of the literature and criticisms shows how complex a situation like that was. As Walby shows the complications behind the true motives of the Act and its intent to exclude women and strengthen patriarchal relations.
3. The presentation of very important history in general, was quite well presented in this book. And I appreciated that.
4. Walby actually tries to theorise patriarchy without being a misandrist - always a bonus.
5. The research is immaculate and impressive. Plus, the amount of books I've added to my TBR makes me very happy.
Cons:
1. At times Walby’s analysis is stifled and repetitive. She doesn’t combine economic, family life and cultural variables into her analysis at all.
2. This book was heavy on theory, which I liked. However, coupled with the heavy dose of history and this book feels very impersonal. Walby doesn't go through any case studies of female engineers who struggled to be recognised as a skilled engineer like her male counterparts for example.
3. I don't think Walby adequately accomplishes what she set out to do. Yes, she proved a theory of gender equality. But she didn't say anything that hadn't already been covered in earlier 20th century literature.
4. This book is purely analytical. Walby doesn't dive into workplace environments or provide any solutions. She also doesn't dive into family life to theorise what the best solution could be for everyone. She just wants to analyse the relationship between women, men, capitalism and patriarchy. That's it.
Quotes:
‘We, as an organisation are opposed to the introduction of women as a general principle. (Jack Tanner, President, Amalgamated Engineering Union, 1940).’
‘I will attempt to develop a theory of gender inequality, to build an adequate model of patriarchy and to demonstrate the significance of patriarchal relations in employment for the explanation of the position of women in contemporary society.’
‘James and Dalla Costa (1973) see domestic labour as production. They argue that housework is work, that it is central to the workings of capital, that without it the capitalist system will collapse, and hence that is production.’
‘Himmelweit and Mohun (1977) argue that domestic labour is productive only in the sense that it produces use-values for immediate consumption.’
‘Sexuality is to feminism what work is to Marxism: that which is most one’s own, yet most taken away. (MacKinnon, 1982: 1).’
‘Patriarchy is distinctive in being a system of interrelated structures through which men exploit women, while capitalism is a system in which capital expropriates wage labourers.’
‘Raising children without a spouse may relieve the mother of certain forms of interpersonal oppression, but the grinding poverty which typically ensues is no liberation into equality either.’
‘I would argue that, when patriarchy is in articulation with capitalism, the state should, be seen as both patriarchal and capitalist. Such a dualist conception of the state is only a problem if the state is incorrectly considered to act in a monolithic manner.’
‘In 1873 a Home Office report recommended that there should be a further reduction in the number of hours which could be legally worked for pay by women from 60 to 54.’
‘There was less emphasis on the breaking down of the work tasks in the Bedaux system and more weight on work intensification and the increased utilisation of machinery. Thus, the tendency to feminisation of the work force which Braverman identifies in Taylor’s system of scientific management is less likely in Bedaux’s.’
Sources Referenced That I Added to My TBR:
1. Dependence and Exploitation in Work and Marriage edited by Diana Leonard & Sheila Allen
2. The Evolution of the British Welfare State: A History of Social Policy since the Industrial Revolution by Derek Fraser
3. Theories of Poverty and Underemployment: Orthodox, Radical, and Dual Labor Market Perspectives by David M. Gordon
4. The Capitalist State: Marxist Theories and Methods by Bob Jessop
5. Women & Revolution – A discussion of the unhappy marriage of Marxism and Feminism by Lydia Sargent
6. Class Inequality and Political Order: Social Stratification in Capitalist and Communist Societies by Frank Parkin
7. The Degradation of Work?: Skill, Deskilling and the Labour Process by Stephen Wood
8. Labour and Racism by Annie Phizacklea & Robert Miles
9. Biological Politics: Feminist and Anti-feminist Perspectives by Janet Sayers
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review