Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism w/ Kristen Ghodsee
Mar 8, 2024
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Exploring the impact of socialism on women's sexual satisfaction and relationships. How capitalism commodifies intimacy and affects societal norms. Author Kristen Ghodsee delves into the link between economic independence and sexual freedom. Capitalism's role in shaping human relationships and the need to separate social reproductive labor for better quality of life. Celebrating female empowerment, solidarity, and revolution under socialism.
Under socialism, women choose partners based on mutual attraction rather than financial considerations, leading to more fulfilling relationships.
Socialist societies support social reproductive labor, relieving individuals of household tasks and preventing commodification of intimate bonds.
Women's rights and economic freedom influence the dynamics of the sexual marketplace under capitalism, contrasting with socialist prioritization of social welfare and gender equality.
Deep dives
Economic Independence and Better Relationships
Under socialism, women experience better relationships and sex due to increased economic independence. Economic freedom allows women to choose partners based on mutual attraction and affection rather than financial considerations. This shift in dynamic leads to more fulfilling and enjoyable relationships.
State Support for Social Reproductive Labor
Socialist societies provide extensive support for social reproductive labor, such as childcare, parental leave, public services like cafes and laundries. By socializing these responsibilities, individuals are relieved of burdensome household tasks, allowing for more quality time in relationships and preventing the commodification of intimate bonds.
Critique of Sexual Economics under Capitalism
The theory of sexual economics underlines the transactional nature of relationships under capitalism, influenced by economic disparities between genders. Women's rights and economic freedom play a crucial role in defining the dynamics of the sexual marketplace. Socialist systems challenge this by prioritizing social welfare and gender equality over profit-driven interactions.
Socialist Policies Supporting Young Families
Socialist countries implemented after-school programs, summer camps, and child allowances to support young families. These policies aimed to provide parents with breaks and support while fostering a sense of community and family time. Additionally, young couples were offered incentives like 'honeymoon loans' for buying apartments and furniture, with forgiveness of portions of the loan after having children. Such measures not only encouraged family growth but also ensured support for young families.
Impacts of Transition from Socialism to Capitalism on Women
The transition from socialism to capitalism in Eastern European countries had significant negative impacts on women's autonomy and choices. The shift led to increased economic pressures, job loss, and limitations on personal freedom for many women. The introduction of market economies resulted in women facing difficult decisions based on economic calculations, impacting their independence and quality of life. These changes highlight the complex effects of socio-political transitions on gender dynamics and women's agency.
When the Soviet Union collapsed and the Berlin Wall was toppled, a lot was unearthed and a lot of interesting information became available to scholars and researchers in the West. One of those little bits of information was the answer to a question that a lot of people had never really thought of even asking: did women have better sex under socialism? Well, spoiler alert, but maybe not so much if you’ve read the title of today’s episode: Yes, it seems like they did. And in today’s episode, we’re going to explore why. Why do women have better sex under socialism?
The answer to this question is the topic of the highly acclaimed book Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence, by Kristen Ghodsee. Kristen Ghodsee is a Professor and Chair of the department of Russian and East European Studies and a member of the Graduate Group in Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of twelve books, including Red Valkyries: Feminist Lessons From Five Revolutionary Women, and Everyday Utopia: What 2,000 Years of Wild Experiments Can Teach Us About the Good Life.
In this conversation, in celebration of International Women’s Day, we explore how capitalism shapes not just sex, but relationships, care, and much of the life of people who identify as women. We explore how under capitalism sex becomes commodified and transactionalized, and look at the harmful impact that this has on society as a whole. We also explore how socialism, particularly under the Soviet Union, differed, and how economic stability and having one’s basic needs met let to a kind of liberation that resulted in, well, much better sex for women.
Thank you to Bikini Kill for the intermission music. Upstream theme music was composed by Robert Raymond
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