Kate Young

Articles for DWF

Books reviewed by DWF


Articles for DWF


YOUNG Kate - EDHOLM Felicity - HARRIS Olivia, On the concept of production-reproduction, 1978, n. 9, pp. 49-83

Through C. Meillassoux's, Maidens, meal and money the authors examine several concepts used by Meillassoux (and others) when talking of the production-reproduction relationship, in order to specify their theoretical importance and define women's position in a given society. The authors refuse the generic use of these concepts and offer specific definitions instead.

The concept of reproduction is analysed as a) social reproduction, that is, analysis of those structures which must be reproduced in order for social reproduction on the whole to take place; b) reproduction of labour force, not as mere human or biological reproduction, but also as support for the labour force and distribution of subjects within the labour process, with the subsequent reconsideration of "housework"; c) human or biological reproduction, with a discussion of its social sense and its differing through history and in other societies.

Lastly the authors examine sexual division of labour proper, overcoming economic-oriented interpretations and identifying it as a costitutive element of gender identity.

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Books reviewed by DWF


YOUNG Kate - WOLKOWITZ Carol - MC CULLAGH Roslyn (Ed.), Of Marriage and the Market. Women's subordination in international perspective
, London, CSE Books, 1981
rev. di D.L., 1982, n. 19-20, pp. 200-201

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