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Healing ourselves, healing our economy: paid work, unpaid work, and the next stage of feminist economic transformation

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  • Julie Matthaei

    (Radcliffe Public Policy Center and Department of Economics, Wellesley College, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA)

Abstract

This article presents a broad overview of U.S. economic history which identifies a next stage of feminist economic transformation. It identifies three semihistorical stages in the development of the economic self: gender polarization, gender freedom, and gender integration. Contemporary economic values, practices, and institutions-which were constructed on gender polarization between masculine paid economy-centered work and feminine unpaid family-centered work-are currently being undermined by the process of gender integration as individuals of both sexes straddle economy and family, masculinity and femininity, and as social movements organize to inject feminine caring into an increasingly heartless masculine economy. This process is leading to the healing of individuals, male-female relationships, and economic and social institutions, constituting a revolutionary new stage of feminist-inspired change.

Suggested Citation

  • Julie Matthaei, 2001. "Healing ourselves, healing our economy: paid work, unpaid work, and the next stage of feminist economic transformation," Review of Radical Political Economics, Union for Radical Political Economics, vol. 33(4), pages 461-494, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:reorpe:v:33:y:2001:i:4:p:461-494
    DOI: 10.1177/048661340103300406
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Goldin, Claudia, 1992. "Understanding the Gender Gap: An Economic History of American Women," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195072709.
    2. Christopher J. Ruhm, 1997. "Policy Watch: The Family and Medical Leave Act," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 11(3), pages 175-186, Summer.
    3. Julie Matthaei, 1996. "Why feminist, Marxist, and anti-racist economists should be feminist-Marxist-anti-racist economists," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 2(1), pages 22-42.
    4. Jerry Jacobs & Kathleen Green, 1998. "Who Are the Overworked Americans?," Review of Social Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(4), pages 442-459.
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    Gender; United States; History;
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