Between Women’s and Gender Studies: What Differentiates Them, and Why Do They Diverge?

Abstract

  Based on a report from the symposium “Inheriting Women’s Studies,” this paper, written from the perspective of the in-between generation, attempts to bridge a perception gap between the founding generation of women’s studies and the generation of post-gender studies institutionalization.

  To understand the differences in perception between these two generations, it is crucial to historicize the paradigms through which sex and gender are understood. This paper traces three key paradigms: (1) sex monism, (2) sex/gender dualism, and (3) gender monism. By explicating these paradigms, the paper illustrates that the two generations hold significantly different views on gender, oppression, and goals for liberation. To bridge this perceptual gap, the paper introduces the image of “two cages” and outlines four strategies for liberation.

  In conclusion, the paper argues that those who “inherit women’s studies” must engage in dialogue and discussion, no matter how challenging. It emphasizes the point that our perspectives are shaped by the positions we occupy, and therefore, it is essential to exchange views while recognizing the limitations of each perspective.