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Commoning as a Tool for Women’s Liberation in the Domestic Sphere

Part 2 Dissertation 2024
Phoebe Briggs
Sheffield Hallam University | UK
In a world where gender roles are rapidly evolving, the domestic sphere remains stubbornly entrenched in outdated norms. My mother’s life of double labour—juggling full-time work and sole responsibility for household tasks—exemplifies the persistent inequities that women face daily. This stark reality demands our attention and action. Are contemporary housing forms complicit in perpetuating these inequities? Can innovative housing solutions, like co-housing, disrupt normative patterns and foster true gender equality at home?

This dissertation ventures into this issues heart, investigating the transformative potential of co-housing communities to redress the gendered imbalance of caregiving responsibilities. Adopting a feminist perspective and engaging with Springhill co-housing community (UK) as case study, I interrogate the effectiveness of commoning principles in challenging and reshaping domestic gender roles. The research exposes both the promises and persistent barriers of co-housing in achieving gender parity.

At its core, this investigation shines a light on the often-overlooked domain of domestic labour, advocating for systemic changes that promote equity and inclusivity. It calls for rethinking domestic environments to support and empower women, dismantling the structures that perpetuate gender inequality. This research aims to pave the way for a future where domestic responsibilities are designed to be shared equitably.

Phoebe Briggs

Tutor(s)
Helen Stratford
Julia Udall
2024
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