PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

In "Affective Becoming, Affective Belonging: A Queer Phenomenological Account of the Social Reproduction of Bodies," I explore the intersection of Marxist theory and phenomenology to analyze how individuals embody capitalist social relations while navigating their experiences of belonging and care. Drawing on Karl Marx's critique of individuals as mere representations of economic categories, I critique the limitations of traditional Marxist frameworks in addressing personal lived experiences. By revisiting Sara Ahmed’s queer phenomenological approach and integrating Zoe Belinsky's insights on reproductive work, the article emphasizes how bodies, spaces, and affects co-construct individual identities and experiences. Using narrative interviews, particularly with a subject named Amira, I illustrate how affective histories shape bodily perceptions and experiences of empowerment or disempowerment in capitalist society. Amira’s life story highlights the complexities of navigating marginalization, love, societal norms and body norms, revealing the political implications of personal survival within oppressive structures. Ultimately, the article argues for a nuanced understanding of social reproduction that recognizes the interplay of care, identity, and capitalist dynamics, urging a critical examination of the spaces that foster or hinder individual and collective well-being.