I WOULD like to reply to Francis' letter (19 March), to try to answer the ques. tion as to whether men have a material interest in keeping women their place.
Socialist feminists have always argued against those who say unal women have equal pay then men's wages will be levelled down; or women have jobs, men will lose theirs.
We have asserted the opposite the fight for equal pay can be a spearhead for a fight for better living standards for Men, not just male supervisors but fellow workers, don't always understand Many white workers understand terests. mean that whites gain benefits from the oppres sion of blacks?
Such a notion falls into the trap set by the capitalISIS - inal, lor example unemployment is caused by black people.
We counter this argument by saying that unemployment is caused by the capitalist market which all sections of society have an interest in fighting. Sian says that the material gains which men reap lie in the "sexual and domestic service in the home'.
Does this mean the family plays some sort of progressive role at least for one section of the population? No! Everyone knows that despite that of misery, violence and poverty.
It's the capitalists who beneht most the family and the role of women within it.
Take the question of the family which many trade unionists argue at the moment is a vital bargaining counter in the face the ment's policies.
The notion of the family wage, of course, denies the right of women to go out to work How against this? Do we say to • Yes, it really is a sacrifice for you to give up the family wage, but your so-called privilege?
Or do WC say: family wage is not a family welfare state takes care of many aspects of life, so the public spending cuts lower living standards and it's women who bear, the extra burden.
You LICH have an interest in fighting for women's right to work, or a decent living wage for all. The family wage i contrick and denies women their basic rights.
Throughout its history the women's . movement has been divided along class lines. Thatcher puts her class interests above Getting rid of class society is no guarantee of the liberation of women or evolt or acmcvilis socialism in the fullest sense. It is merely a precondition for Of course, men do not always see this reality and will CYCl oppose OUL demands. We as women will have to fight them hard on many occasions But it is their loss - it weakens their own fight.
And it all ine reason why women should fight for our own demands now.
JUDITH ARKWRIGHT, IMG women's organiser 400 words. Write to: Letters, Socialist Challenge, 328 Upper St, Labour Party manifesto is okay and all need to do is see that it's implemented. blems ANDY SHALLICE Birkenhead
----- pull-quotes -----
WRITE TO US! for your comments, criticisms, oi even congratulations. Be briet, to leave space for others -