Women and Fascism (Electronic book text, Revised ed.)

Ever since it came into existence in 1919, fascism's relationship with women has been neither consistent nor predictable. Despite its male predominance and a popular perception of misogynist attitudes, the movement has, on several occasions, proved able to win large numbers of women both as voters and members. Martin Durham addresses this paradox by dispelling the myth that fascism uniformly upheld anti-feminist policies which wanted women firmly kept in the home, breeding an endless stream of children for the master race. Martin Durham analyses the role of women in fascist organisations across Europe from the early 1920s to the present, with examples from Germany, Italy and France. Unusually, however, he gives special attention to British Fascism, and in doing so he offers valuable new perspectives.