Intersectional Feminism Pros And Cons

1647 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Tenants of critical race theory

Are there good (or bad) ways of being a feminist?
Intersectional Feminism
Carbado et al states that the theory of intersectional feminism and its application in America has been drawn from both black feminist ideologies and the theory of critical race. The concept has existed for as long as history records, with regards to oppression and marginalization of social groups, but only in 1989 had it been given a descriptive term through an essay by Kimberlé Crenshaw (Carbado et al 304). The term, intersectional feminism, was meant to refer to the current marginalization of sections of women in feminist theories as well as political theories and activities. Kimberle Crenshaw published a sequel, “Mapping the Margins” which provided a detailed correctional …show more content…

Feminism attempts to integrate women into respectable communities. There is a demand for perfection by feminist groups and individuals in relation to how women should be treated in the communities they belong. Intersectional feminism further makes the demand for the proper treatment of women in their entirety as humans. There are conceptual flaws when it comes to different sections of women. For example, women who are involved in sex work. There are feminist theorist, otherwise known as neo-abolitionists, who are of the opinion that no woman, either voluntarily or forced should exchange sex for money (Gerassi 79). According to Gerassi, neo-abolitionists further justify themselves by stating that any form of sex work debases women into objects of sexual gratification thus opening them up to physical and emotional violence. The opposing theorists, sex positivists, claim that the woman should be accorded freedom to decide on sex work as their source of income (Gerassi 81). Intersectional feminism in this situation creates a polarized feminist movement, with the women, who end up as victims of sexual exploitation, still facing oppression in the meantime. Secondly, women with disability have their unique needs in their interaction with domestic, educational, economic and social places. However, there is a cost that must be incurred by families, institutions as well as local and federal governments when considering the comfort of these disabled women

Show More
Related

  • Connie Panzarino: The Gendered Experience Of Disability

    355 Words  | 1 Pages

    Gender has been broadly used within the humanities and social sciences as both a means to categories dissimilarities, and as a logical concept to give details differences. In both the humanities and social sciences. Disability studies has appeared partly as a result of challenges to give details gendered experience of disability and partly as a challenge to contemporary feminist theory on gender which fails to take description of disability. Disabled people have frequently been standing for as without gender, as asexual creatures, as freaks of nature, hideous, the ‘Other’ to the social norm. In this way it may be taking for granted that for disabled people gender has little bearing. However, the image of disability may be make physically powerful by gender - for women a sense of intensified passivity and helplessness, for men a dishonesties masculinity make by put into effected dependence. Moreover these images have real consequences in terms of

    Read More

  • Iris Murdoch's View Of Feminism

    160 Words  | 1 Pages

    Feminism is used to show that men and woman should be on equal playing fields when it comes to political, social, and economic matters. Those who practice feminism; rather feminists, advocate for equality between man and woman. women are viewed as homemakers and caretakers. Whereas men are the antithesis, being viewed as breadwinners. We have been taught this from a young age in the most surprising places. Fairytales we have read or watched have had a hand in this. Snow White

    Read More

  • Nancy Mairs, Andre Dubus, Harriet McBryde Johnson: Disability

    1916 Words  | 4 Pages

    What comes into one’s mind when they are asked to consider physical disabilities? Pity and embarrassment, or hope and encouragement? Perhaps a mix between the two contrasting emotions? The average, able-bodied person must have a different perspective than a handicapped person, on the quality of life of a physically disabled person. Nancy Mairs, Andre Dubus, and Harriet McBryde Johnson are three authors who shared their experiences as physically handicapped adults. Although the three authors wrote different pieces, all three essays demonstrate the frustrations, struggles, contemplations, and triumphs from a disabled person’s point of view and are aimed at a reader with no physical disability.

    Read More

  • How Does Feminism Shape Society?

    1649 Words  | 4 Pages

    Starting in the 1990’s, third wave feminism brought in various feminist outlooks, some known as “radical feminism”, “Marxist feminism”, or “cultural feminism” (Dorey-Stein, 2015). In radical feminism, the oppression of women is seen as the most central form of oppression and overlooks race, ethnicity, and class. In contrast, “…radical feminism was a movement to transform society, [whereas] cultural feminism retreated to vanguardism, working instead to build a women's culture” (“Kinds of Feminism”, n.d.). While radical feminism was working for social change, culture feminism opted out of it and built alternatives that stayed away from changing the dominant society. Furthermore, Marxism and radical feminism are often seen mirroring one another. Under Marxist feminism is the idea that women are oppressed because of the capitalist system, and that the capitalist system needs to be overthrown for oppression for women to end (“Kinds of Feminism”,

    Read More

  • Hillary Clinton Feminist Analysis

    1146 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the U.S., feminism is understood as the rights of women (usually affluent white women) to share the spoils of capitalism, and imperial power. By refusing to fully confront the exclusions of non-whites, foreigners, and other marginalized groups from this vision, liberal feminists miss a crucial opportunity to create a more inclusive and more powerful movement. Feminist movements within the U.S. and internationally have long since accepted that, for them, feminism entails the communal confrontation of not only patriarchy, but capitalism, imperialism, white supremacy, and other forms of oppressions that combine together and reinforce their struggle. It means the fighting for the replacement of a system in which their rights are negated in the quest for corporate and political profit. It includes fighting so that all people anywhere on the gender, sexual, and body spectrum are allowed to enjoy basic rights like food, housing, healthcare, and control of their labor.

    Read More

  • Essay On Intersectional Feminism

    480 Words  | 1 Pages

    What is intersectional feminism? Intersectional feminism is a fight for social justice that includes more factors than gender. This is important because there is no one-size-fits-all type of feminism. There are a variety of things that contribute to oppression. For example, white cisgender middle class person faces different discriminations than that of a transgender disabled black person.

    Read More

  • Feminist Intersectionality

    672 Words  | 2 Pages

    Until recently, intersectionality has been, to a large degree, left out of public health discourse. McGibbon & McPherson in their 2011 article “Applying Intersectionality & Complexity Theory to Address the Social Determinants of Women’s Health,” as well as Bowleg in her 2012 article “The Problem with the Phrase Women and Minorities: Intersectionality–an Important Theoretical Framework for Public Health,” acknowledge this glaring absence while seeking to incorporate intersectionality within their work. While both articles strive to inspire discussion and debate about the practical application of intersectionality within the field of public health policy, the authors accomplish this in different, uniquely nuanced, ways. Bowleg (2012) advocates

    Read More

  • Sociological Impact Of Feminism

    1587 Words  | 4 Pages

    Feminism refers to a broad range of ideas, approaches, and ideologies directed towards advocating for gender and sex equality for women. Feminism is a movement that seek to achieve equality and social rights for women in all key areas which includes education, personal, economic, employment, and cultural sphere of human endeavors. Activists of the feminist movements have used social and political theories to campaign for women’s rights and freedom where sexuality and gender-based political thinking have created imbalances for the women in society. The feminist movements have also campaigned for the protection of girls and women from sexual harassment, rape and violence within the home.

    Read More

  • The Second Wave Of Feminism On The Role Of Women's Rights

    704 Words  | 2 Pages

    Feminism is the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes. In simple terms, it is the ideology of women being equal to men and it is often misinterpreted as the belief of women being above them. Feminists believe in diminishing patriarchy which is a system of society and or government in which men are considered more powerful than women. When people are against feminism they are supporting sexism which is why it is important to educate ourselves on the matter and to understand why we need it.

    Read More

  • Faults In Feminism

    800 Words  | 2 Pages

    The term “feminism” tends to have a negative connotation in today’s culture. Feminism is now focusing on female dominance and male disrespect. Women are fighting for equality, yet using personal bias to define equality, claiming identical rights for all will produce an equal culture. The mainstream feminist movement is using this corrupted view of equality to force rights of women. Contrary to popular belief, true feminism fights for true equality for women, as well as other people groups. The false view of feminism causes women to distort gender roles, dishonor themselves, and degrade men.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Sex Work

    1695 Words  | 4 Pages

    Sex work has long been criticized and stigmatized in our society. Whereas several members of society read sex work as immoral and degrading to girls, feminist argue that sex work is basically simply work, which it's not essentially harmful to girls. beneath circumstances within which sex work is accepted and controlled in society, within which the sex employee is protected and granted an equivalent rights as the other laborer, sex work has the chance to be helpful to girls.

    Read More

  • First Wave Feminism Essay

    1681 Words  | 4 Pages

    Feminism is the movement towards women’s equality. It fights for equal rights in the social, political, cultural and economical aspects for women. Feminism also fights for equal opportunity for women in employment and education. A feminist is someone who advocates their support for women’s rights but is not restricted to only women; anyone who supports women’s rights and equality are feminists, including men. Feminism is not only about the females, it fights for gender equality for all. Feminist movements, or Women’s movements, campaign for reforms in household issues with domestic violence, political issues with equal pay, employment and maternity leave, and reproduction rights. All feminism movements fight for equal rights, but it cannot be conquered or be made known all at once. First wave feminism was mostly about women’s suffrage and political equality in general. Second wave feminism went more in depth about the social and cultural inequalities.

    Read More

  • Essay On Social Construction Of Disability

    967 Words  | 2 Pages

    Disability is defined as a long term condition that restricts an individual’s daily activities (Government of Western Australia Department of Communities, n.d.). A disability can be identified in numerous types which are physical, sensory neurological and psychiatric. Due to the assistance with appropriate aids and services, the restrictions experienced by individuals with a disability may be overcome. However, the ways society perceives disability may have a significant impact on individuals living with it and also families around them. Therefore, the aim of this essay is to reflect on the social construction of disability through examining the social model of disability and how it may impact on the lives of people living with disability.

    Read More

  • Discrimination Against People With Disabilities

    1586 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...eglected social issues in recent history (Barlow). People with disabilities often face societal barriers and disability evokes negative perceptions and discrimination in society. As a result of the stigma associated with disability, persons with disabilities are generally excluded from education, employment, and community life which deprives them of opportunities essential to their social development, health and well-being (Stefan). It is such barriers and discrimination that actually set people apart from society, in many cases making them a burden to the community. The ideas and concepts of equality and full participation for persons with disabilities have been developed very far on paper, but not in reality (Wallace). The government can make numerous laws against discrimination, but this does not change the way that people with disabilities are judged in society.

    Read More

  • Women's Position in the Patriarchal Society

    1560 Words  | 4 Pages

    Feminist theory is similar to critical theory which focuses on social status of two genders i.e. man and woman in the Patriarchal societies. Its main concern is rights of women. For example voting rights, property right, equal pay in the office, equal opportunities which are the things that women always want to achieve in their life. ...

    Read More

More about Intersectional Feminism Pros And Cons

Open Document