Beyond Choice: An Intersectional Feminist Account of Agency
Date of Award
5-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts major in Philosophy (Option 1: Thesis)
First Advisor
Jean Emily P. Tan, PhD
Abstract
Current feminist theories struggle to retain a robust conception of agency. In this paper, I interrogate the notion of agency in the phenomenon of choice feminism, a popular form of contemporary orientation to feminist politics that believes that the individual choices women make are inherently feminist and thus politically acceptable. Intuitively, choice feminism seems inspiring and positive by invoking ideals of strong individualism, pluralism, and autonomy; however, critics argue, it neglects the whole myriad of structuresmired with sexism and genderinequality where the subject and her choices are constructed and thus depoliticized. I argue that while freedom of choice is an important feminist ideal, it is not the sole arbiter of women’s agency, and that contrary to its intentions, it rather becomes a rhetoric of discipline, regulations, and perpetuates sites of oppression. I forward intersectionality to strengthen care -based agency and relational autonomy theories and to examine the constructions of gender relations and heteronormativity, the exclusions arising therefrom, and the way power figures within choice feminism. By viewing agency in an intersectional lens, choice is re-politicized by opening women’s lives and their choices to critique the systemic barriers imposed on the same choices. Furthermore, an intersectional framework opens a democratic and coalitional feminist politics which means encouraging expressions and expanding the conditions of possibilities for agency.
Recommended Citation
Gladys, Esteve B., (2022). Beyond Choice: An Intersectional Feminist Account of Agency. Archīum.ATENEO.
https://archium.ateneo.edu/theses-dissertations/707
