Gender and Nation: Articulations of origin, culture and citizenship

Abstract

The article outlines some of the main dimensions in which gender relations are crucial in understanding and analysing the phenomena of nations and nationalism, and the specific boundaries of inclusions and exclusions that they construct. In each of them gender relations play specific roles and have mobilised specific struggles. The article looks at the dualistic nature of women's citizenship, as both included and excluded from the general body of citizens; it points out women roles both as cultural transmitters and as cultural signifiers of the national collectivity; and eventually it examines their role as biologic reproducers of the nation.