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Women, Economic Dependency and Citizenship*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2009

Ruth Lister
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Abstract

Citizenship is, once again, on the political and academic agenda. This article explores some of its meanings for women. It examines some of the contradictions raised by notions of dependence and independence and the relationship between ‘private’ and ‘public’ forms of dependence. It then considers the implications of financial dependence and of the sexual division of labour and of time for women's rights and obligations as social, political and ‘active’ citizens. It concludes by drawing out briefly some policy implications, arguing that radical changes are needed in domestic life and in the organisation of paid employment and state provisions, if women are to be full citizens. This will require changing both our conceptions of Citizenship and the structures which fashion citizenship rights. Ultimately, neither the question of dependency nor of citizenship can be divorced from that of power.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Social Policy , Volume 19 , Issue 4 , October 1990 , pp. 445 - 467
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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