Getting Married · Chapter
Labor Exchanges and the White Slavery explained
This chapter explores the implications of women achieving economic independence through labor exchanges, arguing that such independence would dissolve unhappy marriages maintained solely by economic pressure and necessitate easier divorce l
What happens
This chapter explores the implications of women achieving economic independence through labor exchanges, arguing that such independence would dissolve unhappy marriages maintained solely by economic pressure and necessitate easier divorce laws to prevent the rise of illicit unions.
Themes in this chapter
Economic Dependence of Women
The chapter argues that women's economic dependence on men is the primary force keeping unhappy marriages intact, and that labor exchanges offering independent employment would break this dependence.
Divorce and Legal Reform
The chapter predicts that economic independence for women will lead to the dissolution of many marriages, requiring divorce to be made as easy as dissolving a business partnership to avoid widespread illicit relationships.
Key passages
“Will not many women now engaged in domestic work under circumstances which make it repugnant to them, abandon it and seek employment under other circumstances?”
Many women currently stuck in unpleasant domestic roles will leave them for better jobs.
Highlights the anticipated shift in women's labor choices once alternatives are available.
“once set women free from their economic slavery, and you will find that unless divorce is made as easy as the dissolution of a business partnership, the practice of dispensing with marriage will presently become so common that conventional couples will be ashamed to get married.”
If women gain economic freedom, divorce must be made simple, or else avoiding marriage altogether will become the norm.
Summarizes the chapter's central argument linking economic independence, divorce reform, and the future of marriage.