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Assignment 2 – Silvia Federici, Land Privatization & the “degradation of women”.

Following land privatization, Federici cites events that occurred in Europe, which led to the “degradation of women”, in “The Accumulation of Labor and the Degradation of Women.” One event described by Ferderci was the land privatization in England. According to Federci, England acquired the land through “Enclosures”. (78) “Enclosures” in England directly impacted the role of women and how they were regarded in society.

Federici states that prior to land privatization, England used an open-field system for farming. This system allowed the villagers to own and live off several pieces of land. This system was removed and replaced, by English Lords and wealthy farmers. The farming land was taking away and enclosed by the use of fences. This impacted the entire agricultural society, as agricultural became commercialized. Producing goods was for markets or for exporting, and no longer served as a food source for the village.

Following land privatization, women were seen as playing an inferior role in society. Since a commercialized society was more important, work in the home became less valued and considered “women’s labor”(84). Women could not obtain jobs that would provide a salary. If they did earn something, it was very little as compared to men. This caused women to become dependent on men in order to survive. The author also cites that when women were labeled as housewives in the 19^th century, this further degraded a woman’s place in society. Employers used the income men earned to control women and make them more dependent (84). “

“Enclosures” also prevented women to socialize at community events and share ideas with other women. This was because common land was seized along with the farming land. With limited interactions, women were being controlled. According to Ferderici, elderly women were even more vulnerable as they faced poverty and had no one to care for them. They were reduced to stealing and borrowing in order to survive.