Gender, Feminist, and Intersectional Perspectives on Families: A Decade in Review

Abstract

Abstract This review of the gender, feminist, and intersectional literature on families from 2010 to 2019 examines the following three streams of research, theorizing, and praxis: (a) the framing of gender as systemic social stratification and inequalities, (b) the application of feminist perspectives and praxis to highlight and change power disparities in private and public spheres; and (c) the application of intersectionality perspectives to examine and redress social inequities, privilege, and oppression. Collectively, these streams represent variations of a critical theoretical perspective on families. This article has the following three aims: (a) examine how the critical approaches of gender, feminist, and intersectional theories have been used to frame the study of family life during the past decade; (b) identify and assess empirical exemplars in the family literature that highlight the explicit application of these critical approaches; and (c) discuss future directions to push the study of families forward toward more inclusivity and relevance.