Transnational Feminism in Sociology: Articulations, Agendas, Debates

Abstract

What is the current terrain of transnational feminism in sociology? This essay begins by introducing the key interdisciplinary writings that helped initiate a specifically transnational feminist approach in women's and gender studies. It then delineates three primary ways in which these writings have been adapted and ⁄ or expanded with ⁄ in sociology, as well as some points of tension and debate among these varying approaches. It argues that although there are numerous sociologically oriented transnational feminisms, most authors do not acknowledge this multiplicity and complexity, contributing to a sometimes confusing conversation where assumptions about key concepts, causality, and processes remain unclear. The essay ends with suggestions for future research.Sociology Compass 5 ⁄ 7 (2011):

Transnational Sisterhood? Brazilian Feminisms Facing Prostitution

“…Critical readings about these networks observe that their work across national borders does not necessarily activate the theoretical premises of “transnational feminisms.” The expression “transnational feminisms” has spread and been apropriated in diverse locations, acquiring different meanings (de Lima Costa, ; Nagar, ; Thayer, ). It has been incorporated even to denominate feminist practices that are seen as erasing key issues initially raised by transnational feminisms, such as the challenge to the idea of “global sisterhood” that international feminisms promoted, ignoring differences among women (Patil, ). Although transnational feminist networks use the expression “transnational feminisms” to talk about themselves, and others use the term to talk about them, these networks sometimes reiterate linear notions of gender inequality and of feminism connected to the idea of “global sisterhood.”…”

The H2 Visa process in the catfish industry

“…And while much theoretical and empirical research has demonstrated that gender is a system of inequality requiring an analysis of what Tilly (1984) calls "big structures, large processes, and huge comparisons," a discussion of gender dynamics related to transnationalism or globalization is often missing (Poster, 2002). Since the 1990's feminist scholars have set out to explore the ways that gender and sexuality are implicated in shaping the meanings and consequences of transnational practices, institutions, flows, and relationships for men and women (Patil, 2011). In a special issue in Gender & Society, sociologists Kim-Puri, outline their rationale for constructing a transnational feminist sociology and claim their goal is to "rethink and reframe the ways the state, nation, gender, and sexuality are mutually constituted."…”

Feminist Scholar-Activism Goes Global: Experiences of “Sociologists for Women in Society” at the UN

“…In response to the concept of global feminisms, critical transnational feminist perspectives emerged in the 1990s (Desai, 2015;Patil, 2011). Transnational feminist perspectives question a northern "missionary liberal feminism" (Hawkesworth, 2006) and address issues of imperialism, colonialism and development, while seeking out intersectional approaches to methodology and theory development (Falcón, 2016b).…”

“…Patil (2011) and Desai (2015) identify two canonical texts that have shaped transnational feminist theory: Alexander and Mohanty (1997) and Grewal and Kaplan (1994). Patil (2011) summarizes three key positions within feminist sociology in response to them: 1) moving beyond dichotomies of local versus global, bringing together gender and sexuality within post-colonial nationalism and state-building projects (Kim-Puri, 2005); 2) an emphasis on women's agency and transnational organizing, building particularly via Brock Education Journal, 27(1), 2017 international organizations (Desai, 2009;Naples & Desai, 2002); and 3) a focus on transnational networks and opportunity structures (Ferree, 2006;Moghadam, 2005). Most of this work, as well as the articles in a notable 2005 Gender & Society special issue on state and nation from a transnational feminist perspective (Kim-Puri, 2005) outline a transnational feminist perspective as theoretically interdisciplinary and as a political and activist project, emphasizing the interconnections between activism and academia.…”

“…Yet the term is problematic and highly contested (Desai, 2007b;Grewal, 1998). Feminists have criticized the notion of a "global women's movement" because women's voices are lumped together and sold as an artificial unified voice (Bergeron, 2001;Desai, 2002;Ferree & Tripp, 2006), and a flawed dichotomy of local/global is substantiated (Patil, 2011).…”