Le donne, il fordismo, Gramsci

One of the least discussed topics about the analysis of Fordism is certainly that concerning women. Although the publications have been written about it, a complete research has not been outlined. This article will attempt to analyse the connection between Fordism and gender relations – both internals and externals to the automotive factory – in the period that includes the first decade of the Twentieth Century and the years immediately preceding the outbreak of the Second World War. Particular attention will be paid to the analysis of Gramsci in the Quaderni del Carcere about the concept of Fordism, and even to his interpretation of Americanism, Taylorism and «quistione sessuale», thus highlighting the role of women through three sometimes distinct but very often confused figures: womans as a labourer subject to certain industrial policies; woman as a part of the rationalisation process implemented by Henry Ford; woman as a consumer in automotive business of Ford industries.