The Faces of Oppression and Sexual Discrimination

Marion states, “ [Oppression] Its causes are embedded in unquestioned norms, habits, and symbols, in the assumptions underlying institutional rules and the collective consequences of following those rules”. Even more, Marion argues that the foundation of oppression is rooted in the two concepts structural constructs and the immobilization of the social group.  According to Marion there are five forms of oppression: exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, cultural imperialism, and violence rooted in structural constructs throughout history.  With regards to exploitation, oppression occurs when through the steady process of the transfer of results of labor of one social group to benefit the other. Regarding gender exploitation this is especially true. Especially regarding social pressures on the female sex life, Marion states, “women provide men and children with emotional care and provide men with sexual satisfaction and as a group receive relatively little of either from men”.  Considering Catherine MacKinnon’s theory on sex discrimination this is especially true. Mackinnon states, “ Women value care because men have valued us according to the care we give them. Women think in relational terms because our existence is defined in relation to men”. Women are socialized from birth to be nurturing and accommodating when it comes to their interactions with men and must adhere to these strict rules or be criticized. Marion highlights the face of powerlessness and its effect on the immobilization of the group. She states, “ The powerless are those who lack authority or power even in this mediated sense, those over whom power is exercised without them exercising it; the powerless are situated so that they must take orders and rarely have the right to give them”. Marion’s concept of powerlessness and the immobilization of the group is especially relevant to Mackinnon’s theory on sexual discrimination. Mackinnon argues that when one is powerless “ You don’t just speak differently. A lot you don’t speak. Your speech is not just differently articulated, it is silenced. Eliminated, gone”. In essence oppression and sexual discrimination go hand in hand. Difference, whether it be sex, race, or gender is what catalyzes inequality and oppression.