Despite the vast difference between first and third world societies, the subordination of women to men seems to be a universal fact. Originally published in 1984, the chapters in this book look specifically at the marital bond/contract, and locate the subordination of women in terms of that contract.

Preface to the Second Edition. Introduction: The Continuing Subordination of Women in the Development Process Ruth Pearson, Ann Whitehead and Kate Young Part 1: Labour and Subordination Under Capitalism and Socialism 1. Gender and Economics: The Sexual Division of Labour and the Subordination of Women Maureen Mackintosh 2. The Subordination of Women and the Internationalisation of Factory Production Diane Elson and Ruth Pearson 3. Subsistence Production and Extended Reproduction Veronika Bennholdt-Thomsen 4. Women in Socialist Societies: Problems of Theory and Practice Maxine Molyneux Part 2: Household Politics, the Market and Subordination 5. 'I'm Hungry, Mum': The Politics of Domestic Budgeting Ann Whitehead 6. Work, Consumption and Authority Within the Household: A Moroccan Case Vanessa Maher 7. Households as Natural Units Olivia Harris Part 3: Marriage, Kinship and Sexual Subordination 8. Women's Labours: The Naturalisation of Social Inequality and Women's Subordination Verena Stolke 9. Women, Kinship and Capitalist Development Maila Stivens 10. Sexuality and Control of Procreation Mirjana Morokvasic. Bibliography. Notes on Contributors. Index.