Tab 1
, Intersectional what? Social divisions, intersectionality and levels of analysis
Anthias F. (2013)
Anthias (2013) argues for a more rigorous and nuanced approach to intersectionality, highlighting
the need to consider different levels of analysis and to go beyond a simplistic "listing" of
intersecting categories.
Intersectionality: presented as a corrective to essentialist views of identity that “homogenise social
categories” like gender, ethnicity, and class
● Note: Anthias cautions against its uncritical application → can lead to a reductionist
understanding of social divisions
● She argues that intersectionality is not a unified theory but a collection of perspectives that
helps us understand the boundaries and hierarchies shaping social life
● ‘Heuristic device’: an invaluable conceptual tool that aids in the exploration, explanation,
and understanding of social phenomena → offers a lens for understanding the complex
interrelationships between social divisions and hierarchies
● Anthias explores the “societal arenas of investigation”, arguing for an intersectionality
approach that focuses on ‘interactions between inequality-creating social structures (ie of
power relations), symbolic representations and identity constructions that are context-specific,
topic-oriented and inextricably linked to social praxis’ (Winker and Degele, 2011)
1.1 Origins of Intersectionality
● Anthias acknowledges that the concept of interconnected social divisions isn't entirely new,
drawing parallels with classical sociological theories
○ The interactionist perspective: argues meaning to be produced through the
interactions of individuals → the social interaction is a face-to-face process
consisting of actions, reactions, and mutual adaptation between two or more
individuals, with the goal of communicating with others (Mead, 1934)
○ The conflict perspective: describes the inequalities that exist in all societies globally,
and considers aspects of society as ways for those with power and status to maintain
control over scarce resources (Giddens, 1987, 1997)
○ The functionalist perspective: sees society as a complex system whose parts work
together to promote solidarity and stability (Turner, 1979)
, ● Broadly, intersectionality: posits that social divisions interrelate in terms of the production of
social relations and in terms of people's lives
Eg gender is influenced by other social divisions like ‘race’ and class, and they are seen
as mutually fundamental → highlights division amongst ‘women’ by pointing
towards process of racialisation and class, and the disadvantages that follow
Big 3 of intersectionality:
1. Gender,
2. Ethnicity/race, and
3. Class
Note: other categories can also be implemented → sexuality, age, disability, faith…
● Anthias highlights the contributions of Black feminist scholars (eg Patricia Hill Collins and
Kimberle Crenshaw) in formally articulating intersectionality
○ Patricia Hill Collins' work focuses on gender, race, and class as ‘ideological or
discursive practices’ within power dynamics → concept of a interlocking
oppression organised through a "matrix of domination" underscores the
interconnectedness of these social divisions across various domains of power
→ matrix of domination: a sociological paradigm that explains issues of oppression
that deal with race, class, and gender, which, though recognized as different social
classifications, are all interconnected
○ 4 domains of power as highlighted by Collins: interpersonal, hegemonic, structural,
and disciplinary
○ Kimberle Crenshaw, a socio-legal theorist, is credited with coining the term
"intersectionality” → her work highlights the overlapping nature of
discrimination, particularly the ‘intersectional invisibility’ experienced by
racialized women, recognising the specificity of the discriminations experienced
Recent discussions on intersectionality vary:
● Some see it as the best way to understand the complex ways different social divisions and
identities interact
● Others think it’s just a popular term ("buzzword") and not a full theory
● Some criticise it for oversimplifying differences by treating them like a checklist, making
them all seem equal
1.2 Potential pitfalls associated with intersectionality
1. It often involves creating a "list" of differences (reduced to identities) that intersect
→ the "listing" problem: simply listing intersecting differences without analysing their
significance
2. The equivalence problem: treating all forms of difference as equivalent and neglecting the
unique dynamics of each
○ Acknowledge the unique historical and social contexts that shape each category
3. It can be hard to analyse the complexity of these differences effectively
, Intersectional what? Social divisions, intersectionality and levels of analysis
Anthias F. (2013)
Anthias (2013) argues for a more rigorous and nuanced approach to intersectionality, highlighting
the need to consider different levels of analysis and to go beyond a simplistic "listing" of
intersecting categories.
Intersectionality: presented as a corrective to essentialist views of identity that “homogenise social
categories” like gender, ethnicity, and class
● Note: Anthias cautions against its uncritical application → can lead to a reductionist
understanding of social divisions
● She argues that intersectionality is not a unified theory but a collection of perspectives that
helps us understand the boundaries and hierarchies shaping social life
● ‘Heuristic device’: an invaluable conceptual tool that aids in the exploration, explanation,
and understanding of social phenomena → offers a lens for understanding the complex
interrelationships between social divisions and hierarchies
● Anthias explores the “societal arenas of investigation”, arguing for an intersectionality
approach that focuses on ‘interactions between inequality-creating social structures (ie of
power relations), symbolic representations and identity constructions that are context-specific,
topic-oriented and inextricably linked to social praxis’ (Winker and Degele, 2011)
1.1 Origins of Intersectionality
● Anthias acknowledges that the concept of interconnected social divisions isn't entirely new,
drawing parallels with classical sociological theories
○ The interactionist perspective: argues meaning to be produced through the
interactions of individuals → the social interaction is a face-to-face process
consisting of actions, reactions, and mutual adaptation between two or more
individuals, with the goal of communicating with others (Mead, 1934)
○ The conflict perspective: describes the inequalities that exist in all societies globally,
and considers aspects of society as ways for those with power and status to maintain
control over scarce resources (Giddens, 1987, 1997)
○ The functionalist perspective: sees society as a complex system whose parts work
together to promote solidarity and stability (Turner, 1979)
, ● Broadly, intersectionality: posits that social divisions interrelate in terms of the production of
social relations and in terms of people's lives
Eg gender is influenced by other social divisions like ‘race’ and class, and they are seen
as mutually fundamental → highlights division amongst ‘women’ by pointing
towards process of racialisation and class, and the disadvantages that follow
Big 3 of intersectionality:
1. Gender,
2. Ethnicity/race, and
3. Class
Note: other categories can also be implemented → sexuality, age, disability, faith…
● Anthias highlights the contributions of Black feminist scholars (eg Patricia Hill Collins and
Kimberle Crenshaw) in formally articulating intersectionality
○ Patricia Hill Collins' work focuses on gender, race, and class as ‘ideological or
discursive practices’ within power dynamics → concept of a interlocking
oppression organised through a "matrix of domination" underscores the
interconnectedness of these social divisions across various domains of power
→ matrix of domination: a sociological paradigm that explains issues of oppression
that deal with race, class, and gender, which, though recognized as different social
classifications, are all interconnected
○ 4 domains of power as highlighted by Collins: interpersonal, hegemonic, structural,
and disciplinary
○ Kimberle Crenshaw, a socio-legal theorist, is credited with coining the term
"intersectionality” → her work highlights the overlapping nature of
discrimination, particularly the ‘intersectional invisibility’ experienced by
racialized women, recognising the specificity of the discriminations experienced
Recent discussions on intersectionality vary:
● Some see it as the best way to understand the complex ways different social divisions and
identities interact
● Others think it’s just a popular term ("buzzword") and not a full theory
● Some criticise it for oversimplifying differences by treating them like a checklist, making
them all seem equal
1.2 Potential pitfalls associated with intersectionality
1. It often involves creating a "list" of differences (reduced to identities) that intersect
→ the "listing" problem: simply listing intersecting differences without analysing their
significance
2. The equivalence problem: treating all forms of difference as equivalent and neglecting the
unique dynamics of each
○ Acknowledge the unique historical and social contexts that shape each category
3. It can be hard to analyse the complexity of these differences effectively
