Capitalism is Sexism

De: Doortje Smithuijsen

A bold and incisive manifesto on the ways sexism is used to exploit women in a capitalistic system through the personal lens of dating and influencer culture from a prominent journalist and cultural critic in the Netherlands.

Young women find themselves constantly pulled between opposing forces. The age-old divide between focusing on a successful career or building a family is now compounded by the pressure to resist unhealthy beauty standards and the influencer algorithm, but to start Botox before it’s too late.

Within capitalism, the inequality between men and women is shamelessly exploited. Women are still seen as “natural” caregivers, even when they are the primary breadwinners in their household. They are expected to balance these roles all while navigating a world that continuously emphasizes wellness and self-care while women lose bodily autonomy, equality in partnerships, and the chances for meaningful, authentic connections.

Through her own experiences, Doortje Smithuijsen explores how seemingly innocent phenomena such as Trad Wives and spin classes are part of a system that continues to marginalize women. Capitalism is Sexism is not simply about finding body positivity in the age of Ozempic, but how these forces are here to captivate your attention, your earnings, and your labor. With her razor-sharp insights, she shows how difficult it is for women to make free choices within this system.