Reproductive labour, abortion bans, and techno-feudalism: A call for a Marxist feminist approach in psychology

The present article provides a critical examination of reproductive labour, abortion bans, and related technologies within the context of capitalist patriarchy through a Marxist feminist approach. Traditional psychological approaches often overlook systemic oppression and power dynamics in relation to reproductive issues. This present article suggests that by theorising reproduction as a form of labour and analysing abortion bans within a Marxist feminist framework, psychology can unveil how capitalism and patriarchy intersect to exploit women’s reproductive abilities. It additionally explores the role of technology, particularly in the context of techno-feudalism, in perpetuating gendered inequalities through the surveillance of reproductive labour. It advocates for a shift towards a Marxist feminist approach in psychology, urging scholars to question hegemonic capitalist ideologies and re-conceptualise reproductive rights in psychology within a broader socio-political and technological context. This is achieved by providing critical insights that feminist academics may integrate into their scholarly practices to adopt a Marxist feminist perspective and by emphasising political hope as a form of academic praxis.