Socialism for Women and Girls: Some Preliminary Thoughts

Socialism USA will open up many opportunities for women that currently are not available to all. One of the main goals in a socialist society needs to be the dismantling of the patriarchal society that exists today that puts women at a disadvantage in many areas of life. The things that women need however are also human needs and will also affect men in a socialist society including access to healthcare, equal pay, school accessibility, recreational facilities, child care and more. These are things that are provided today but not enough services are available and are not affordable to many. These things need to be expanded and made available to everyone under socialism.

Under socialism women’s issues would be looked at differently than happens in today’s society. First, we need to reallocate resources to provide for women. Secondly, we need to tackle consciously the patriarchal attitudes about women that many people have today. This would be a systematic change that would help to improve women’s lives.

Women should have access to full free healthcare benefits under socialism. They should be able to choose freely and have access to services that work for them individually. Women should be able to choose what is best for their healthcare needs without fear of repercussion or judgment. These services should include not only physical care, but mental, dental, alternative treatments, etc. People should have access to free services to prevent and treat any problems that may arise. Women should also be educated to understand all of their healthcare options and not forced into a cost effective, limited treatment as is done today for many. In short the institutionalization of healthcare needs to be dismantled and a more humane and personalized system is needed.

Along with an overhaul of the healthcare system pregnancy and pre-natal care especially needs to be looked at in a special way. Pre-natal care is an important part of pregnancy to insure mother and child are healthy. Pre-natal services are not readily available to all women and it should be. When it comes time to give birth the common practice today is to force women to go through a hospital emergency room to give birth. Alternatives such as midwives are looked upon poorly and are discouraged. These alternatives work for many women and should be encouraged, not looked upon as if they are problematic. We should return to helping train new mothers to learn necessary things like how to nurse at home, etc. Women used to stay in the hospital for days after giving birth. They were shown how to properly take care of their new babies. Today women are rushed out of the hospital quickly and left to fend for themselves. These services used to be available, in the past, and under capitalism have been continually cut to make money for big businesses that are currently running the majority of the healthcare systems.

Programs for mothers and children like Women, Infant, Children (WIC), along with state programs that support women and children, should be expanded and given to all those who need them for as long as they need them. These services are available and help some women and children but need to be made available for all who need help. Currently these services are cut off after a certain age or time period. They should be made available for an unlimited amount of time.

Childcare is another important issue that affects mainly women. Childcare should be free and available onsite at work and school so that mothers can be near their children and still carry on with their lives People should also have the option to get money if they choose to have someone come into the home to help care for the child/children.

Mothers who choose to stay at home should receive the same benefits as those people who choose to work outside of the home. Taking care of family is a full time job whether you do it inside or outside of the home.

Another thing that Socialism USA should guarantee is an equal rights amendment, to include equal pay for equal work. Today this is an issue that we are still struggling for and under socialism should be inherent in the system. Women should also have access to the same educational and work opportunities that are available to men. Until the mindsets of people are changed some program like affirmative action would have to remain under socialism to guarantee these opportunities.

For young women we should provide safe places to go for recreational, educational and cultural experiences. After school programs and other facilities should be available for anyone who wants to participate. Recreational facilities that have been continually cut need to be restored and expanded. Young people should have safe places to play and learn. After school activities should be provided equally to all young people.

Sex education in the schools needs to be overhauled in a socialist society. The one sided limited education that is in many school curriculums today is horrible. A broad, open and expansive curriculum needs to be developed. This will help education young people about their bodies and help them make informed choices about themselves. It will also help to destigmatize many subjects that are considered taboo today. Sexuality needs to be openly discussed to help society feel comfortable.

Further, women should have a right to walk safely, when and where they want, without a fear of attack from others. Rape and other sex crimes need to be severely punished. With that the victim of the crime should not be further victimized, as is the practice today in the legal system. Women and children who are sexually abused need to feel safe to report the predator not feel further humiliation from something that is not their fault to begin with. Last, sexual harassment of any sort should not be tolerated including: inappropriate comments and jokes to physical contact. This is also not taken seriously by many today and needs to be addresses more consciously. The education should start as young children and continue in adulthood to constantly remind people of appropriate behavior.

In short, under socialism women should be free to live and work in an environment that is safe and supportive of their choices in life. Many of the benefits that should be given and expended to women under socialism are also human needs that need to be provided to everyone.