The Idea of Postmodern Feminism: An Attempt at Postmodern Feminism to Face a Dilemma
Abstract
As the guiding idea of the third wave of feminist thought, postmodernism has offered a new mode of thinking for the development of feminism. This essay uses the idea of postmodern feminism as an introduction to the dilemma that postmodern feminism faces in not being able to provide practical help in the practical sense of the women’s political movement. At the same time, an attempt is made to find a way out of the dilemma. The essay uses references and analysis of previous literature to conduct the research. It is concluded that one way in which postmodern feminism faces a dilemma is through the interpretation of postmodern feminist theory in different contexts. Postmodern feminism plays a varying role in different social contexts. In other words, postmodern feminism has a real role to play in achieving real ‘equality’ between men and women when most women have already acquired equal political and social status with men.
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