On the exploitation of female resources in the 21st century: On February 23, 2022, the project carat – caring all together at the University of Bremen a reading with social researcher, sociologist and author Dr. Franziska Schutzbach, who recently published her book “The Exhaustion of Women. Against Female Availability”.
The care crisis as a persistently relevant social phenomenon
The title alone was a provocation, as she herself admitted, but one she chose deservedly – as could be seen from the reactions of the (online) audience. The gist of what was written was: I wish I had read this book 30 years ago.
It is becoming clear: Care is not a new issue, nor is it a problem limited to just a few women*, but rather permeates all of society and affects politics, business, and science. The carat project operates on this premise, aiming to connect these areas and network the stakeholders involved.
Interesting reading about a current debate on the denigration of women and new insights gained
The book discusses the exhaustion, availability, and resistance to this social and economic exploitation of women*. Their exhaustion is a natural part of women's lived reality. Franziska Schutzbach explores the origins of this exhaustion, why it is taken for granted, and what we can do to counteract it.
She emphasizes how society practically expects women to be "all-rounders." They must be self-confident, smart, slim, social, educated, cool, independent, and sexually active. But of course, they mustn't forget their central roles as caring and giving women, because that's what they "owe" to society.
In her book, Franziska Schutzbach makes it clear that women are expected to be constantly perfect and available, and how our capitalist social system profits from 'skimming off' women for their unpaid care work.
A socially critical appeal intended to empower women
Furthermore, in her presentation she describes situations that many women* are familiar with and can identify with – perhaps this is one reason why her presentation at carat received such a positive response.
It is an appeal to women* to examine their own role as FLINTA (FLINTA* stands for women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, trans, and agender people, and thus for people who are discriminated against by patriarchy due to their gender identity. More information can be found at frauenseiten-bremen.de), mother, daughter, sister, and friend, and to learn to name the inequalities, including those related to "mental load." She herself denounces this exploitation of women's* emotional, physical, and temporal resources and clarifies that capitalism is built on the exploitation of female* resources.
With her openness and earnestness, she encourages other women* to stand up for their rights, to name injustices, and to fight for a better future. A fitting read for the upcoming International Women's Day!
will take place in May 2022 The University of Bremen's Work-Life Balance Week .
This book recommendation was written by Aslihan Yesilyurt, Nieki Samar, Lea Scholz and Daria Kulchenko from the team at carat – caring all together.
"The Exhaustion of Women: Against Female Availability" by Franziska Schutzbach was published in October 2021 by the Droemer Knaur publishing group. The hardcover edition costs €18, the e-book €15.99.
Today, March 8th, a number of events are taking place in Bremen to mark International Women's Day, including demonstrations, seminars, lectures, and workshops.
For an overview of all events, click here.