The problem of the depoliticization of “Gender” for feminist theory

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to develop a critical analysis of the depoliticising of “gender”. It aims to reveal a major turning point within the use of “gender”, from an analytical category to an individual characteristic, and its increasing substitution of “sex”. It is argued that the understanding of gender as a perception or feeling of belonging between multiple identities does not represent a politically committed theoretical framework and is devoid of meaning for the emancipation of women from male domination. Throughout the article (1) a brief narrative of the history of the concept is developed, (2) the understanding of gender from the perspective of identity is examined, paying attention to the accusation of voluntarism directed at Judith Butler and her responses to said criticism (3) the ideas of “masculinity” and “femininity” are analysed and what the overcoming of gender would entail is exposed, and (4) the political subject of feminism is explored from a post-identity perspective.