Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism

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Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
AuthorKristen Ghodsee
GenrePolitics, Sexuality
Publication date
2018
ISBN978-1529110579

Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism is a 2018 book by anthropologist Kristen Ghodsee.

In the book, Ghodsee argues that socialism creates a fairer and better society for women. She uses case studies drawn from Eastern Europe to illustrate that capitalism creates an increased dependency on men, by women.

Publication[edit]

Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence is a 2018 book by anthropologist Kristen Ghodsee,[1] and published by Vintage Books.[2] Ghodsee is a professor of Russian and East European Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.[2] The book has also been translated into multiple foreign languages, including Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Indonesian, Thai, Korean, and Japanese.[3]

Synopsis[edit]

In the book, Ghodsee argues that socialist societies are better for women.[4] She presents the reader with a view of motherhood from an economic and political perspective.[2] She is critical of the sexualised images that frequently appear in western magazines and television, which she describes as capitalism commodifying women.[2] She presents a series of case studies from Eastern Europe and illustrates that compared to capitalist societies, women are more liberated and have more control of their lives in socialist societies.[2] She points out how women tend to earn less than men in capitalist societies, thus making women more dependent on men, and receiving more pressure to get married.[2]

Two chapters of the book are about sexual economics, and are critical of puritanical tendencies in western societies while praising the normalisation of sex in socialist societies.[2] The book quotes studies showing greater sexual satisfaction among women in East Germany compared to those in West Germany.[2]

Ghodsee advocates for a Universal Basic Income which she argues would balance inequity resulting from unpaid labour that women undertake.[2]

Critical reception[edit]

Rebecca Mead, writing in The New Yorker describes the book as smart and accessible.[5]

Suzanne Moore writing in The Guardian called it a "joyous read."[6]

Amber Edwards writing in Philosophy Now described the book as enjoyable, short, and snappy and credits Ghodsee for her nuance, and recognition of the flaws in every example she presents.[2] Edwards also lamented the lack of intersectionality in the book.[2]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Illing, Sean (2018-12-12). "Why women have better sex under socialism, according to an anthropologist". Vox. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Edwards, Amber (2021). "Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism by Kristen R. Ghodsee | Issue 145 | Philosophy Now". philosophynow.org. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  3. ^ Selected Foreign Language Editions of Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
  4. ^ Witt, Emily (2018-11-09). "Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism by Kristen Ghodsee – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  5. ^ Meed, Rebecca (2019-01-16). "What Does Socialism Have to Do with Sex?". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  6. ^ Moore, Suzanne (2018-12-03). "Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism – review". the Guardian. Retrieved 2022-07-13.

External links[edit]

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