Post-Modern Feminism

Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 18.2.3

Post-modern feminists argue that patriarchy manifests in different ways depending on a woman’s race, class etc.

They question the idea that there is or ever can be a single-gender identity.
What it now means to be a woman can have many differing interpretations, as they each have individual circumstances.
Biological differences are not as clear cut as were once thought e.g. some women cannot give birth.

"Woman" as a category is complicated by factors like class, ethnicity, and sexuality, which bell hooks is keen to explore, outside of conventional thinking.
The term "intersectionality" was developed to recognise this.

These feminists argue that it cannot be assumed anything is universal e.g. gender oppression and patriarchy, as the world is more complex.
It becomes impossible and oversimplified to make any generalisations about women, or their status.
They stress the importance of language and removing terms, which may appear sexist or reinforcing patriarchal attitudes e.g. Chair instead of Chairman.
It is for each individual woman to define herself and seek her own identity, in order to feel truly liberated.

Post-modern thinking is an attempt to counteract the idea that any political ideas can still be seen as universal today, whether it be gender, class, race or religion.
Our political thinking must reappraise accepted beliefs, with feminism seeking new ways to achieve liberation.

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