Deconstructing Equality-versus-Difference: Or, the Uses of Poststructuralist Theory for Feminism
Discusses the goals of feminist theory & the potential advantages of grounding such theory in poststructuralism. The aims of feminist theory are broadly defined as illumination of all forms of patriarchy, emphasis on plurality & diversity over unities & universals, deconstruction of male-centered power hierarchies, new ways of conceptualizing social reality, & the capacity for political change. It is argued that poststructuralism is best suited for these goals, & feminists have already appropriated a variety of poststructuralist terms, including language, discourse, difference, & deconstruction. Drawing on the example of a 1979 sexual discrimination suit against Sears by the Equal Opportunities Employment Commission, it is argued that the contemporary debate between the equality & difference camps of feminism is misleading & destructive. Contrary to popular belief, equality & difference are not mutually exclusive goals in the pursuit of women's rights. Poststructuralism offers the opportunity for fluid & context-specific conceptualizations of difference & equality that would allow feminists to pursue both goals simultaneously. T. Sevier