The struggle for the equality of all social groups has long become an integral part of the modern history of mankind. The largest movement against traditional discrimination is feminism. In the process of its development, the struggle for women's rights has generated a large number of sociological theories.
Definition
The term "intersectional feminism" was coined by Kimberly Williams Cranshaw, a professor of law, a civic activist and writer. This concept is closely related to the intersection theory she created. Cranshaw's idea is that a person can have several social identities that form a single whole. Criteria for belonging to any groups are based on such characteristics as gender, race, financial well-being, physical and mental illness, religion, sexual orientation and age. In accordance with this theory, the problems of black women in the United States remain obscure for representatives of other parts of society, since the unique identity of African-American women is formed as a result of the intersection of two elements: ethnic and gender.
Infringement of rights
The central theme of Cranshaw's research is the trend towards discrimination and oppression of various social groups. According to civil activists, chauvinism is never selective. Racism, sexism, homophobia and religious intolerance are closely related. Cranshaw believes that all forms of discrimination are parts of a single system of oppression. If society allows restriction of the rights of a particular group, then in the future this tendency will extend to representatives of all other known minorities. According to the logic of intersectional feminism, black homosexual women are the most disadvantaged part of society in the United States, because they have the maximum number of symptoms that typically become the causes of persecution.
Historical background
The gender equality movement originated in the 19th century. Its activists protested against such a state of affairs in society, in which gender was the main factor determining the fate of a person. However, in the early stages, the ideology of the struggle for the equal rights of men and women was significantly different from intersectional feminism. Within the movement, there was racial segregation and division according to socio-economic characteristics. For example, in the USA, the struggle was waged solely for the empowerment of white women who belonged to the middle class of society. These circumstances help to understand what intersectional feminism is and why its occurrence was inevitable. The obvious fact is that women are not a completely homogeneous part of humanity. Consequently, a single ethnic and social group is not able to properly express their interests. This is not possible due to the different life experiences that intersectional feminism speaks of. What does it mean? The discrimination experienced by middle-class white women is significantly different from the oppression of low-income African-American women. According to some researchers, the theory of intersectional feminism has made a huge contribution to the development of sociology. Before its occurrence, few thought about the existence in society of a complex system of subordination and suppression.
Sexual orientation as a form of identity
During the second half of the 20th century, traditional Christian moral values gradually lost strength in the countries of Western civilization. The rejection of previous moral guidelines influenced cultural characteristics and intersectional feminism. What has that changed? Against the background of the formation of a tolerant perception of lesbian relations in society, there was a widespread belief that the interests of women should not be exclusively heterosexual feminists.
Theory development
Kimberly Cranshaw's research is primarily devoted to the problems of black women in the United States. She sought to prove that the unfair treatment faced by “colored” Americans is a combination of racism and sexism. Cranshaw points out that drawing public attention to their situation is quite a challenge. The remaining members of society have difficulty understanding the life situations of African-American women. For example, traditional appeals to the police for help in the event of domestic violence make little sense to them, as US law enforcement officials tend to be too cruel to black people.
Cranshaw identifies three critical aspects of intersectional feminism. The participants in the movement, first, must demonstrate to society the distinguishing features of domestic violence against women of color. Secondly, it is necessary to identify the reasons for the inefficiency of the feminist and anti-racist laws adopted by the political authorities. Thirdly, the creation of a distorted image of a typical black woman, which has nothing to do with real life, should be actively discouraged in the popular culture.
Continuation of scientific research
At the very end of the 20th century, the sociologist Patricia Hill Collins made a significant contribution to the development and popularization of Cranshaw's theory. She has authored many books about intersectional feminism. Collins' works are mainly devoted to finding ways of practical application of the idea of gender equality in order to fundamentally change society. She fully supports the theory of the inextricable connection of various forms of discrimination. Moreover, Collins argues that all forms of chauvinism and dominance are directly dependent on each other.
Radical feminism vs intersectionality
The gender equality movement has many branches. The most extreme current is called radical feminism. Representatives of this direction consider their ultimate goal the complete destruction of the patriarchal system of society through the implementation of the revolution in all spheres of life. Radical theory claims that this is the only way to achieve genuine social justice. According to adherents of this ideology, relations between men and women over a significant part of the history of mankind resemble the suppression of one class of society by another for the sake of gaining profit.
Extreme feminists see no use in the theory of intersectionality. They believe that this idea contributes to the separation of women, emphasizing their differences.
Radical views on marriage and sex
Proponents of this trend believe that the source of problems lies not only in social institutions, but also in the traditional structure of the family. They see marriage as an instrument for maintaining the existence of a conservative system in which each sex has a strictly defined role.
Radical feminists cite such phenomena as prostitution, pornography and beauty contests as evidence of the historically formed sexual exploitation of women. Representatives of the extreme current require absolute reproductive freedom. This means that decisions can be made regarding childbirth, contraception, termination of pregnancy and sterilization without any pressure from relatives, society and the government.
Among radical activists, there is such a movement as trans-exclusive feminism. Proponents of this ideology refuse to recognize women as men who have undergone a sex reassignment surgery. The name of this movement literally means "feminism excluding transgender people."
Mythical norm
The intersection theory suggests that dominance is always accompanied by a reluctance to see an equivalent creature as a victim. Sometimes the importance of the repressed person is reduced to the level of an inanimate object. Her opinions and feelings do not cause any interest in the dominant side. Members of discriminated groups receive the label “not like everyone else” from an infringing majority right. Under this definition, anyone can fall that does not meet the average characteristics. Adherents of the theory of intersections call the standards set by society a mythical norm. By this they mean the subjectivity and relativity of such characteristics. According to the followers of Cranshaw’s ideology, one of the best methods of combating discrimination and dominance is the ability to form self-esteem independent from those around.
Implementation in practice
Intersectional approaches can be implemented in all areas of life: politics, the health care system, education, as well as legislation governing the labor market and private property ownership. Cranshaw's theory is of particular importance in the field of social work. The path to an adequate understanding of the problems of a particular person is to take into account all the intersecting and interrelated aspects of his life. For example, social workers should be aware that women with physical disabilities are easily victims of domestic violence or sexual harassment and have fewer opportunities to protect themselves from them.
Criticism of Intersectional Feminism
The intersection theory is reproached for giving too much weight to subjective points of view. The recognition of discrimination is often based solely on the interpretation of events by the alleged victims.
The practical application of Cranshaw's theory does not destroy the hierarchical structure of society, but only changes its order. Groups claiming to be victims of harassment can use their position as an instrument of pressure on other members of society.
Cranshaw critics point out that the ideal embodiment of theory in real life is extremely difficult. Society does not have enough time and resources to ensure that the interests of all groups, including the smallest, are respected. For example, from a practical point of view, it is impossible to universally introduce the use of the Braille alphabet and sign language in the framework of caring for the needs of the blind and deaf. Critics point out that the unattainability of the ideal threatens to cause disappointment in the theory itself.