Postmodern feminism is an approach to feminist theory that incorporates postmodern and post-structuralist theory, and thus sees itself as moving beyond the modernist polarities of liberal feminism and radical feminism.
The Penguin Reference Dictionary of Literary Terms & Literary Theory defines post-modernism, feminism, and post-structuralism, but not postmodern feminism. The definition provided for post-modernism is, “A general (and sometimes controversial) term used to refer to changes, developments, and tendencies which have taken place (and are taking place) in literature, art, music, architecture, philosophy, etc. since the 1940’s or 1950’s.” It goes on to say that Marxist, feminist, and psychoanalytic criticism are all aspects of post-modernism since the 1970’s; and concludes that “When something else develops from it instead of it, it will, perhaps be easier to identify, describe, and classify.”
Feminism has been seen by some as having a special affinity for the postmodern through a shared interest in (the theoretical implications of) social practices and multiple voices.
Read more about Postmodern Feminism: Criticism
Famous quotes containing the words postmodern and/or feminism:
“The information links are like nerves that pervade and help to animate the human organism. The sensors and monitors are analogous to the human senses that put us in touch with the world. Data bases correspond to memory; the information processors perform the function of human reasoning and comprehension. Once the postmodern infrastructure is reasonably integrated, it will greatly exceed human intelligence in reach, acuity, capacity, and precision.”
—Albert Borgman, U.S. educator, author. Crossing the Postmodern Divide, ch. 4, University of Chicago Press (1992)
“When feminism does not explicitly oppose racism, and when antiracism does not incorporate opposition to patriarchy, race and gender politics often end up being antagonistic to each other and both interests lose.”
—Kimberly Crenshaw (b. 1959)