Rethinking difference: a feminist reframing of gender/race/class for the improvement of women's health research

Int J Health Serv. 2001;31(1):147-65. doi: 10.2190/FKJA-CXD7-V4G6-U4W9.

Abstract

In exploring the history of the social construction of gender/race/class in Western scientific discourse and examining the legacy of these persisting constructions in modern research on women's health, the authors join in a growing debate about sexism/racism/classism in women's health research--a debate being forwarded most forcefully by feminist epidemiologists. A major purpose of this article is to aid in the development of a new research paradigm for examining the relationship between gender, race, and class, one that considers the interdisciplinary theorizing of Third World feminists and European/American feminists of color. Following the examination of both historical and epistemological issues surrounding interlocking forms of oppression based on gender/race/class, the authors propose a feminist research agenda that not only is responsive to different women's health needs, but can potentially contribute to a process for understanding and answering the health needs of all persons.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Developing Countries
  • Female
  • Feminism / history
  • History, 18th Century
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prejudice*
  • Race Relations / history
  • Research Support as Topic / history*
  • Social Class
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Sociology, Medical / history*
  • Western World / history
  • Women's Health*