The theoretical perspective that makes the most sense to me is definitely the feminist perspective. It is my opinion that feminism is of utmost importance because those who identify as women are not only an integral part of catalyzing meaningful change in societes, but are often intricately involved in the family systems that most people are raised in. Since social interactions often involve women, and decisions made in society, especially on macrosociological levels affect women, I think it is important to view sociology from this lens.
Intersectionality is a term developed by scholar Kimberle Crenshaw which explores the unique circumstances of different women and how they relate to various experiences of oppression. As an analytical framework, third wave feminists use intersectionality as a lens from which to view ideas such as ther intersection of sexism and racism and how these differ for racialized women and white women in terms of problems that may arise (Cumming, 2020). Women of colour, of lower social status or economic class may automatically experience more challenges in arriving at the same end goals as a woman who is white.
I can apply the theory of intersectional feminism to a social issue that I know of and have experienced personally, and that is the issue of surivlig, fleeing and living sustainably after being in a victim of intimate partner violence. These include intersections from court issues, all the way to employment capabilities. Now, in 2022, I am the Manager of Femists Collective Relations at Hope 24/7, which is the designated sexual assault / rape crisis centre in the Region of Peel. I am also the Community Engagement Facilitator at The Journey Neighbourhood Centre, a local outreach serving “at risk” youth in Brampton. I sit on the Board of Directors at a local art gallery, and am an active local artist. I am also a mother to four children ages 13-9. For a period of 5 ½ years, from 2015 to 2020, my life was very different. I am an immigrant to Canada, though I don't always present that way. I grew up in New York, in the low income neighbourhood of South Jamaica Queens, the daughter of two Jamaican immigrants. My mothers family was of Indian descent and my father is Black. I immigrated here in 2011, after life changing experiences with my partner at the time whom I had already had two children with by the time I was 23.
When I moved here it was because my partner had promised to work collaboratively with me to give our children the best that we could together. That did not happen, I was isolated and told that I didn't deserve basic necessities. I was beaten, thrown, locked into rooms and not allowed to leave, denied access to a phone, denied access to all money, and at times, even access to food.
Going through the shelter and court systems at the same time as other women who had also felt like they had hit “rock bottom” I couldn't help but take note of the differences in our experiences, as well as the differences in our races. Compared to two other women whom I had embarked upon my court battles around the same time as, my case seemed longer than it legally should have been. These two women, both of whom were white were done with all court proceedings years before me. One of them in particular, struggled with addiction and sobriety quite a bit. I supported her through a lot, offering advice where I could. We eventually became friends, and even she couldn't help but mention the difference in the way that the treatment I received from workers from Agencies such as Children's Aid and Social Services, despite the fact that I was always sober, punctual and clean. She noticed that no matter what, in the face of government run social institutions, it was almost as though I had to first prove that I was a “decent” person, before being given such treatment or respect.
Feminism is my favourite theoretical approach and I am truly grateful for the workl of feminists before me. I believe that this perspective has never been more progressive than it is now, and I believe that positive improvements to the quality of life for women worldwide will affect social structures and societies everywhere for the better.
References
crashcourse. (2017, March 20). Major sociological paradigms: Crash course sociology #2. YouTube. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbTt_ySTjaY&t=203s&ab_channel=CrashCourse
Cumming, S. (2020). Sociology Unlocked. Oxford University Press.
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