Patrice Diquinzio both defines and differentiates between the terms “exclusion” and “essentialism” in her article “Exclusion and Essentialism in Feminist Theory: The Problem of Mothering.”

Exclusion refers to the opinion that because aspects of women’s identities are ignored such as race, class, and sexual preferences, the experiences of women of color, Third World women, lesbians and females of the working class are placed on the peripheral of feminist theory.

Essentialism refers to the social construction of gender being synonymous with inequality. Masculine thought is human and this functions as a norm while femininity is less than human. On this basis, patriarchal ideologies deny women socially-valued activities. Feminist theory wants to highlight women’s experiences and points of view in order to end women’s oppression.

Feminist theory wishes to change women’s situations by demanding social opportunities that women can participate in beside mothering, more choices about how to participate as a mother or even supporting women who refuse to be one. It was Charlotte Perkins Gilman who thought that children should be raised in communes.

By not allowing women of color or poverty the opportunity to express and theorize about their experiences, exclusionism is allowed to persist. Institutional structures and settings are denied to women due to their race and economic situations.

Defined mothering is exclusionary and essentialistic in nature. It does not allow for an understanding of the economic situations encountered by other cultures and working-class women. Even the feminists who write about oppression are oppressors through omission. Universalizing and normalizing claims about motherhood also excludes minorities and the working class by defining motherhood in terms of reproduction and child-rearing and ensuring that motherhood is experienced under male control.

By controlling the strengths of sensitivity and generosity in women, men exploit women’s genius, mental capabilities and complicated physicality. Mothering has no history and is only referred to if there is a way to improve it or document women’s lapses regarding patriarchical ideas of what constitutes a “good mother.”

Until feminists come up with a way to eradicate or weaken the inequality of women to men based on gender alone, mothers can expect to have male relatives decide how many children they have, what social activities they may attend and how they spend their free time. This manipulation could be either implied or authoritative, depending on the extended family structure. The in-laws of a married couple may unite to dictate what the mother may or may not do, using the carrot and the stick of approval and blame as a method of control.

Reference

Diquinzio, Patrice. Exclusion and Essentialism in Feminist Theory: the Problem of Mothering. Hypatia 8 (3): 1-20.