Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism

1. Women's economic independence is crucial for gender equality

Free markets discriminate against women workers.

Persistent wage gap. Despite progress in women's rights, competitive labor markets continue to disadvantage women, especially mothers. The gender pay gap persists across industries, with women earning less than men for equal work. This economic disparity makes women more vulnerable and dependent on men.

Devaluation of women's work. Society often undervalues traditionally female-dominated professions and unpaid domestic labor. This devaluation extends to perceptions of women's competence in male-dominated fields, creating barriers to entry and advancement.

Public sector importance. Government employment has historically provided more opportunities for women, minorities, and disadvantaged groups. Countries with larger public sectors tend to have greater gender equality in the workforce. Expanding public employment could help reduce discrimination and provide more economic security for women.

2. State socialism provided some benefits for women's rights

Although important differences existed between countries and none achieved full equality in practice, these nations did expend vast resources to invest in women's education and training and to promote them in professions previously dominated by men.

Women in the workforce. State socialist countries actively encouraged and facilitated women's participation in the formal labor force. By 1975, women made up nearly 50% of the workforce in the Soviet Union and over 43% in Eastern Europe, compared to just 37% in North America.

Support for working mothers. Socialist states implemented policies to help women balance work and family responsibilities:

• Extended, job-protected maternity leaves
• Subsidized childcare and kindergartens
• Public laundries and cafeterias to socialize domestic work

Advancement in male-dominated fields. The state promoted women's education and careers in science, technology, and leadership roles. For example, the Soviet Union was the first to send a woman to space with cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova in 1963.

3. Capitalism commodifies women's sexuality and relationships

Capitalism thrives on women's unpaid labor in the home because women's care work supports lower taxes. Lower taxes mean higher profits for those already at the top of the income ladder—mostly men.

Sexual economics theory. This controversial theory proposes that under capitalism, heterosexual relationships function as a marketplace where women exchange sex for resources from men. This commodification of sexuality reinforces gender inequality and economic dependence.

Impact on relationships. The capitalist framework can lead to:

• Transactional views of intimacy and marriage
• Pressure on women to maintain their "market value" through appearance
• Men feeling entitled to sex in exchange for financial support
• Difficulty forming genuine emotional connections

Alternative vision. Socialist thinkers like Alexandra Kollontai argued for relationships based on mutual affection and equality, free from economic coercion. Some research suggests that greater economic equality between partners correlates with higher relationship satisfaction.

4. The collapse of state socialism worsened women's economic status

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, new democratic governments rapidly privatized state assets and dismantled social safety nets. Men under these newly emerging capitalist economies regained their "natural" roles as family patriarchs, and women were expected to return home as mothers and wives supported by their husbands.

Loss of economic independence. The transition to capitalism in Eastern Europe led to:

• Mass unemployment, disproportionately affecting women
• Closure of state-funded childcare facilities
• Pressure for women to return to traditional domestic roles

Resurgence of gender discrimination. Without state protections, many women faced:

• Hiring discrimination based on potential motherhood
• Loss of job security and benefits
• Increased economic dependence on male partners

Long-term consequences. These changes contributed to:

• Declining birth rates as women delayed childbearing
• Increased poverty among single mothers and elderly women
• Growth in sex work and trafficking as economic options narrowed

5. Gender quotas can increase women's representation in leadership

State-mandated quotas for women on the executive boards of corporations and public enterprises have successfully promoted women into leadership positions and are quite doable in the US context.

Proven effectiveness. Countries implementing strict quotas have seen significant increases in women's representation:

• Norway: 40% of board seats held by women (up from 11% in 2007)
• Iceland: 44% female board representation
• France: 36% women on corporate boards

Beyond numbers. Quotas can lead to:

• More diverse perspectives in decision-making
• Improved company performance and profitability
• Increased visibility of female role models

Implementation challenges. Critics argue quotas may:

• Promote under-qualified candidates (though research doesn't support this)
• Face resistance from entrenched power structures
• Require careful design to avoid tokenism

6. Socialist policies improved sexual satisfaction for women

In 1990, another study comparing the sexual attitudes of youth in the two Germanys found that GDR men's and women's preferences were more in sync with each other than those of young men and women in the West.

East German case study. Research showed higher sexual satisfaction among East German women compared to their West German counterparts:

• 75% of East German women reported feeling satisfied after their last sexual encounter vs. only 46% of West German women
• 82% of East German women felt "happy" after sex compared to 52% of West German women

Contributing factors:

• Women's economic independence reduced transactional aspects of relationships
• State-provided childcare and domestic support services
• Cultural emphasis on mutual pleasure and satisfaction

Limitations. While sexual satisfaction was higher, state socialist countries still struggled with:

• Limited public discourse on sexuality
• Lack of sex education and contraceptive access in some areas
• Persistence of traditional gender roles in the home

7. Millennial women have the power to reshape politics and economics

If young women don't get wise and start going to the polls to vote in their own long-term economic and political interests, they will have little power to reverse the inevitable social upheavals the future has in store.

Demographic shift. By 2020, millennial voters will be the largest voting bloc in the U.S., with women making up half of this group. This presents a significant opportunity for political change.

Growing support for progressive policies. Young voters, especially women, increasingly favor:

• Universal healthcare
• Affordable childcare and education
• Stronger social safety nets
• Environmental protections

Potential obstacles:

• Voter suppression efforts
• Political apathy and low turnout
• Misinformation campaigns

Call to action. The author urges young women to:

• Educate themselves on political and economic issues
• Engage in local and national politics
• Vote in their economic self-interest
• Challenge commodification of relationships and emotions

Last updated: August 14, 2024