Feminist Theory & Anthropology

Feminist theory claims, in part, that the role of women in most cultures has been one of oppression and marginalization. Feminist anthropology is influenced by feminist theory and is a subcategory of cultural anthropology.

History

Feminist theory arose from Marxism, which analyzed the oppression of subordinate classes, including women. Feminist theory is considered to have officially become included in the field of anthropology during the 1970s.

Features

Feminist anthropology was also influenced by earlier anthropologists, especially Margaret Mead, who studied the effects of culture on male and female behavior.

Theories

In early writings of feminist anthropology, the subordination of women was often explained in terms of a binary theory, first posited by Claude Levi-Strauss, that culture is opposed to nature. Women, generally considered closer to nature because of their reproductive roles, were subjugated by men, who were considered builders of culture.

Experts

Other key figures in feminist anthropology include Sherry Ortner, Michelle Rosaldo, Ruth Benedict, Judith Butler and Diana Fuss.

Developments

Feminist anthropology's focus on gender roles has broadened to include race, sexuality (considered distinct from gender), class and other significant contemporary issues.

References

• "Feminist Anthopology," by Boschma
• "Feminist Anthropology," by Bratton

Resources

• Association for Feminist Anthropology