190 THE SOCIAL THEORY OF GEORG SIMMEL nist movement and the sociological evolution of the con- cept “woman.” The original position of the woman was in the home. She was absorbed in the family. Her special functions, though common to all women, prevented her from forming the large superordinated circle including all women. Her functions kept her fully bound to the small family group and led to an exclusive devotion to a few in- dividuals. Her sociological position was that of an indi- vidual fully tied up in a small, highly individualized circle. The modern industrial development has completely changed this situation. Among the working classes, the girl and the married woman have been drawn into the fac- tory. The process for them has meant an external libera- tion from the complete absorption of the home. The same changes have brought for the middle-class woman an in- ternal liberation. A great number of activities formerly carried out in the home have been taken over by industry, and this has resulted for her in a greater freedom within the home. This difference in the results of industrialism for the two social classes explains the difference in the immediate practical aims of these groups of women. The first wants to go back to the home, the second wants to go out of the home; the first wants to be more a “family woman,” more wife and mother, the second wants to be more a social woman, more a political woman. But for both groups the binding ties with the smaller circle have been dissolved. The complete absorption in the small group has been abol- ished, and the barriers against a practical solidarity of women have been removed. The concept “woman” is no longer a purely logical and abstract concept. It has be- come a guiding principle for unitary associations including all women, as Is manifest in the different branches of the feminist movement. In these associations they can work