New Books in Economic and Business History Alissa Klots, "Domestic Service in the Soviet Union; Women's Emancipation and the Gendered Hierarchy of Labor" (Cambridge UP, 2024)
Dec 15, 2024
Alissa Klots, an expert on Soviet labor dynamics, discusses her book examining domestic service's role in women's emancipation within the Soviet Union. She reveals the tension between Bolshevik ideals and the reality of gendered labor hierarchies. Klots highlights how domestic roles were both embraced and marginalized by the state, showcasing the complexities of worker rights and activism. By analyzing personal narratives and legislative shifts, she provides insights into the lasting impact of these dynamics on gender relations and class struggles in socialist societies.
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Dissertation Origin
- Alissa Klots's dissertation on Soviet domestic service began informally, sparked by friends' suggestions and boredom after her undergraduate degree.
- Initially a hobby involving reading Soviet newspapers, it evolved into formal graduate work at Rutgers and became the foundation of her book.
Bolshevik Views
- The Bolsheviks' approach to domestic labor stemmed from their views on labor, women, and class.
- These views, influenced by Marxist thought, considered domestic servants as remnants of a pre-capitalist society.
NEP-Era Domestic Work
- The Bolsheviks faced a dilemma: domestic service was exploitative, but housework still needed to be done.
- They chose to emphasize domestic workers' role in freeing up more qualified women for other work.
