How might one analyze Catherine MacKinnon’s theory of sex
discrimination in “Difference and Dominance: On Sex Discrimination” through the
rubric proved by Iris Marion Young in her essay, “Five Faces of Oppression?”
Each of the “five faces of
oppression” serve as templates by which to organize Mackinnon’s vast examples
of sex discrimination. I analyzed the ways in which women’s inclusion within
the workforce undergoes three forms of oppression: violence, exploitation and powerlessness.
With regard to Mackinnon’s
reflection pertaining to women’s accessibility in the workforce, specifically
in the military, it is important to highlight the idea of difference. She
states that “the consequences of my resistance to this risk [of being killed]
should be just like yours” (83). It is fundamental to acknowledge that a woman
suffers more risks, beyond being killed, when entering a predominately male dominated
occupation. It is evident, through extensive research of the military, that
women suffer a higher risk of sexual assault than do their male counterparts.
This is an example of Young’s representation of violence (“violence…directed at
members of a group simply because they are members of that group”) as a
category of oppression (62). Although I use the military as an example of
violence against women, it is undeniable that women face sexual assault (and
other forms of violence) throughout all realms of the workforce. Violence is generally examined as a form of physical violence; however, it is important to understand that psychological violence also exists in the workforce. Mackinnon outlines that "most jobs in fact require that the person, gender neutral, who is qualified for them will be someone who is not the primary caretaker of a preschool child" which automatically reduces accessibility (85). Thus, in the
attempt to create gender equality amongst the workforce (by increasingly
including women), gender discrimination permeates.
Another “face of oppression” that
manifests itself within the workforce is that of exploitation. One of the ways
in which women are exploited is based on wages. Women receive “far less equal
pay for equal work” (Mackinnon, 84). Women are, in turn, discriminated against
by on their gender and underpaid (utilized) for their skill set(s).
Women also face the oppression of powerlessness due to the "lack of decision making power in one's working life" (58). This example of oppression goes beyond the workforce as women tend to be denied access to decision making power at the supreme court level. Any decisions pertaining to women's issues (reproductive rights, birth control accessibility, etc.) are typically addressed by men.
Malaika, I appreciate how you narrowed down MacKinnon's argument to discrimination in the workforce for your response. I agree with the three faces of oppression you chose to apply to her examples, as well. Not everyone understands that women expose themselves to more opportunities to experience violence by going into the workforce. Especially the fact that women risk violence beyond being killed (sexual violence) makes this face of oppression the most important one, in my opinion. Thank you for bringing up the issue of psychological violence, which so many people don't consider to be a risk and harming element in the workplace for women. I think you could have delved a little deeper into your explanation of how exploitation relates to MacKinnon. Yes, women are underpaid which is demeaning, but it also makes them reliable on their life partner in order to supplement their income. Like we talk about at Men Stopping Violence, some spouses give their wives only a small allowance each week, which I don't consider freedom. I'm glad you end your response by taking up powerlessness and the issue of representation for decisions concerning women's issues. I hope the issue of birth control and health insurance can be one we take up in class on Thursday. Great job overall!
ReplyDelete