Intersectionality as buzzword: A sociology of science perspective on what makes a feminist theory successful
Abstract
Since its inception, the concept of `intersectionality' — the interaction of multiple identities and experiences of exclusion and subordination — has been heralded as one of the most important contributions to feminist scholarship. Despite its popularity, there has been considerable confusion concerning what the concept actually means and how it can or should be applied in feminist inquiry. In this article, I look at the phenomenon of intersectionality's spectacular success within contemporary feminist scholarship, as well as the uncertainties and confusion which it has generated. Drawing upon insights from the sociology of science, I shall show how and why intersectionality could become a feminist success story. I shall argue that, paradoxically, it is precisely the concept's alleged weaknesses — its ambiguity and open-endedness — that were the secrets to its success and, more generally, make it a good feminist theory.
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Intersectionality is committed to the structural dimensions of the context, acknowledging the role played by place and space in shaping people's perceptions and experiences of privilege, discrimination, and oppression.
“Moreover, intersectionality is committed to the structural dimensions of the context (Crenshaw, 1991), acknowledging the role played by place and space in shaping people's perceptions and experiences of privilege, discrimination, and oppression (Davis, 2008).”
From Intersectional climate justice: A conceptual pathway for bridging adaptation planning, transformative action, and social equity (2022) · cites this paper as Davis, 2008
Intersectionality acknowledges the role played by place and space in shaping people's perceptions and experiences of privilege, discrimination, and oppression.
“It acknowledges the role played by place and space in shaping people's perceptions and experiences of privilege, discrimination, and oppression (Davis, 2008).”
From Intersectional climate justice: A conceptual pathway for bridging adaptation planning, transformative action, and social equity (2022) · cites this paper as Davis, 2008
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“…processes of differentiation, and systems of domination (Dhamoon, 2011), and discussions revolve around the relationship between categories, on the axes of inequalities that should be examined, and on the levels of analysis (Collins, 1990; Crenshaw, 1991; Davis, 2008 ; Winker & Degele, 2011).”
Background
- Authors
- Davis, K.
- Affiliations
- Utrecht University (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Davis, Kathy
- ORCID
- Davis, Kathy
- Venue
- Feminist Theory
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2008-04
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 67-85
- ISSN
- 1464-7001 (ISSN-L)
- 1741-2773
- OpenAlex
- W2141077646
- Cited by
- 2,539
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 127 · 2025: 143 · 2024: 173 · 2023: 195 · 2022: 152 · 2021: 181 · 2020: 229 · 2019: 221 · 2018: 167 · 2017: 146 · 2016: 159 · 2015: 131 · 2014: 127 · 2013: 116 · 2012: 107
- FWCI
- 130.86
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Feminist Theory (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Feminist Theory and Gender Studies
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender and Feminist Studies
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Feminist Epistemology and Gender Studies
- Keywords
- intersectionality, sociology of science, conceptual ambiguity, feminist scholarship, multiple identities, buzzwords
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