Final answer:
Marxist feminism indicates that women's oppression stems from their economic and domestic roles in a capitalist society. Engels' comparison of family structure to the capitalist labor force, along with feminist theory's critique of gender inequality and patriarchal family roles, support this. The intersectionality of gender, class, and race is also crucial to understanding the full scope of women's experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that suggests women's oppression results from their dual roles as paid and unpaid workers in a capitalist economy is Marxist feminism. Friedrich Engels, a German sociologist, drew comparisons between the labor force and family structure, noting that in a capitalist society, women are often in a position like that of the proletariat due to dependence on men for wages, which is especially pronounced for those entirely dependent on spouses for economic support.
This dynamic can perpetuate both economic and patriarchal exploitation, but as women become wage earners, their potential for power in the family can increase, potentially leading to more democratic household arrangements, though often not escaping the majority of the domestic burden.
Engels' views align with the broader feminist theory, which examines inequalities in gender-related issues, particularly focusing on the role of the family in perpetuating male dominance in patriarchal societies. Nonetheless, women's paid employment helps in the push towards greater gender equality, challenging the historically rooted belief that female employment outside the home is unnatural.
As economic activities have shifted from the household to factories and offices, women have been traditionally assigned to the 'private sphere', reinforcing gender roles that prioritize nurturing roles for women.
Additionally, anthropological research, such as that by Sharon Hicks-Bartlett, has further emphasized the intersectionality of gender with issues of patriarchy, poverty, and race, noting how women in poverty-stricken areas are often the backbone of family stability, despite facing oppressive systems with little support.