Sociology
Brah, Avtar and Phoenix, Ann (2004). ‘Ain’t I A Woman? Revisiting Intersectionality.’ Journal of International Women’s Studies, 5(3), pp. 75–86.
In this article, Avtar Brah and Ann Phoenix write about revisiting the debates on intersectionality in an attempt to shed new light on how these debates have an approach on current issues. Avtar Brah is a Professor of Sociology at Birkbeck, University of London and Ann Phoenix is a Professor of Psychosocial studies at the Institute of Education, University College London. The beginning of the article looks at 19th century disputes among feminists, particularly the question of what it means to be a woman. Brah and Phoenix used a range of methods to dissect theories; one being analysing autobiographies from the time. For example, through looking at Sojourner Truth’s biography and having access to speeches that she influenced, Brah and Phoenix were able to deconstruct claims that have been made and draw attention to the importance of subjectivity.
Another research method used was empirical studies. Through looking at these, Brah and Phoenix were able to study social class and the intersections with gender, race and sexuality to give a more complex and dynamic understanding than studying social class alone; they wrote that these intersections are simultaneously subjective and structural. The article concludes by considering other potential contributions to intersectional analysis and raises new questions about the implications for feminism as the world evolves.
Media
Gales, A. (2022) ‘Perceived gendered expectations: a challenge for Generation Z women.’ Feminist Media Studies, pp. 1–17
In this article, Alina Gales (Diversity Manager at Technical University of Munich with a PhD in Gender Studies) looks at the perception Generation Z women have of gendered stereotypes about STEM and through social media. Gales writes about the struggles females in modern society face as a result of gendered expectations; for example the stereotype that females should enjoy textiles as opposed to physics. This article looks at the prevalence of these stereotypes and how damaging the notions are.
Gales used the research method of qualitative interviews to gain more insight into this theory. By analysing the statements (of women born between 1995 and 2001) on gendered interest in STEM and the relation to pressures from social media, Gales found evidence to prove her theory. Her findings showed that men are stereotypically more interested in STEM than women and that the pressures of social media make this stereotype worse, further diverting females from having an interest in STEM. She then writes about how this is problematic for society as a whole because of the male domination — the lack of interest for females causes the field of STEM to be male dominated which is a problem for gender inequality in society. Gales then debates that, whilst this is a common perception, it is not a perception for all and there are ways that these stereotypes are challenged (for example the notion of the ‘online gaze’ being challenged and the more modernised version of attractiveness being prevalent — less focus on stereotypical appearance).
