Revolution in the Revolution?

Abstract

It has been argued in the two preceding chapters that exile brought about a new tension between the public and private domains. Both the public-private women and the private women confronted a new and more disadvantageous set of circumstances in the home from what they had known in Chile. However, any insights which the women made regarding gender inequalities were not developed into a fully-blown gender challenge. Nevertheless, women’s struggles in the home were not without public repercussions. There was a general awareness in the exile community that all was not well in the home, that marital difficulties had gone beyond the level which passes by without comment to become the subject of public concern and alarm. To many it seemed that wherever one looked couples were on the verge of separating. There was what could be defined as a ‘private crisis’ which left few untouched. In this chapter I shall examine how this crisis was addressed and in particular whether it led to the adoption of new political ways of organising or to the accommodation and adjustment of previous patterns.

As far as the party is concerned you can forget the family. You will know the large number of couples who have separated in exile and many of them have been party members.

Jaime, a professional worker