In Marxist feminist theory, what does 'social control of the working class' refer to?

• A. It is primarily about legal enforcement of workers’ rights.
• B. It refers to school curricula shaping values for democracy.
• C. It is the means of keeping people conforming to dominant norms, including expectations about parenting and work, sustaining the workforce.
• D. It is the term for the police enforcing labor strictures.

Answer: (C)

Social control of the working class in Marxist feminist theory means the broad set of cultural and ideological processes that keep people conforming to the dominant norms, especially around gender roles, parenting, and work, so the workforce is reproduced and capitalism is sustained. It’s not just laws or police; it’s how family expectations, education, media, and everyday social interactions socialize individuals to accept their roles, accept long hours or low pay, and perform unpaid care work that enables paid labor. By teaching that parenting and caregiving are women’s responsibilities and that work should fit the capitalist system, these norms reproduce the labor force and sustain the capitalist order.