Gender at stake: some debates in feminist theory

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to revise some of the controversies around the meaning of gender. To do this I am going, first of all, to focus on its birth in Beauvoir's philosophy, 50 years ago. Secondly, to remember, briefly, some of the formulations in the 70's. Thirdly, to take notice of some of the most remarkable criticisms to the distinction sex/gender during the last decades. Fourthly, to remark that the challenge of plurality have undermined the mentioned concept. And, finally, to refer a new way of conceptualizing it, due to Iris Marion Young, that promises to avoid the paradoxes of dealing with the puzzles of "identity politics" and "difference politics". We can rescue the meaning of being women, in the sense of a collective, and also the imperative of solidarity, dis-connecting gender of identity. The alternative is to think it as a social position.