The Woman Question: Problems in Feminist Analysis

Abstract

The terms "feminism" and "feminist", until today, evoke emotional and sometimes uncomfortable, if not hostile, reactions in all parts of the globe. For those in the developing countries, feminism is generally viewed as a western phenomenon which was later exported abroad. Indeed, the concept of feminism has caused a great deal of confusion; its "obvious" meaning has become an obstacle to understanding feminism, "in its diversity and its differences, and in its specificity as well" (Delmar, 1986). In recent years there has been an increasing recognition that feminism is not a unitary discourse or a unitary practice. Many variants exist today, be they liberal, radical, marxist, socialist, cultural, postmodernist or eco-feminists. At the same time depending on who or where you are, one could be a Black, Asian or Third World feminist.

This paper proposes to review the main types of feminist analysis as depicted in the West, although it will be argued that feminism is not a recent, western phenomenon. The first part will touch on four main feminist positions viz liberal, radical, marxist and socialist. Where relevant, reference will be made to the women's movement and/or situation in Malaysia. By presenting the problems associated with these different theories, the second part of the paper will attempt to address a current problem and debate in feminist analysis - that of universalism vs difference.