Ecofeminism

Term Paper # 99991

Biology > Ecology
Environmental Studies
Women Studies
Women Studies > Feminism

Ecofeminism

This paper discusses the ecofeminist theory that combines ecology with feminism.

1,910 words () | 7 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper explores the origins of ecofeminism and discusses the three main aspects of the modern ecofemnist movement; philosophy, political activism and spirituality. The paper discusses how ecofeminism believes that the domination and oppression of women by men is directly related to the mistreatment of the environment. The paper explains ecofeminists' claims that women are suffering more from the adverse impacts of environmental degradation compared to men. The paper shows how ecofeminists attempt to force the international communities to include gender as a perspective for sustainable policy making.

From the Paper:

"Ecofeminism is a political and philosophical movement that symbolizes the union of the radical ecology, or what has been called deep ecology, and feminism. "The term ecofeminism was coined by French theorist Francoise d'Eaubonne in 1972, who developed the "Ecologie-Feminisme" group, arguing that the destruction of the environment is due to the profit motif inherent in male power" (Ruether, 2005, p.91). Ecofeminism today has expanded to include the belief that there is a direct connection between the oppression of women, the oppression of 'the others' (through racism, class-ism, ethnic and religious intolerance etc.) and the domination and oppression of nature. Kirk, (2006), points out "how gender, race, class, imperialism and the global capitalist economy are connected to ecological destruction" (p.502). This oppression is twofold: it is ideological-cultural and it is socio-economic. The goal of ecofeminists is to eliminate this oppression and to change the conceptual framework, which is responsible for creating a world in which differences lead to domination."

Sample of Sources Used:

Besthorn, F.H. McMillen, D. (2002) "The oppression of women and nature: ecofeminism as a framework for an expanded ecological social work". Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services. 83 (3): 121-132
Glazebrook, T. (2002) "Karen Warren's Ecofeminism." Ethics & the Environment 7 (2), 12-26
Radford-Ruether, R. (2005) Integrating Ecofeminism and World Religions, Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Cudworth, E. (2005) Developing Ecofeminist Theory, New York: Palgrave MacMillan
Merchant, C. (2005). Radical Ecology: The Search for a Livable Environment. New York: Routledge