Early Analysis of the Economics of Family Structure: Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s ‘Women and Economics’
Author(s)
O’Donnell, Margaret G.
Abstract
Women and Economics’ is Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s main work on economics. Gilman was an American writer who focused on the necessity for social change through a restructuring of sexuo-economic relationships in the family. In ‘Women and Economics.’ she presents a picture of a socio-economic system wherein both men and women were compelled to limit their productivity to comply with outdated traditions. Her ideas on the economic structure of the male-female relationship in the family in the 19th century and how this hampers social development are examined.
