Paper
Feminist anthropology, childhood and queerness
presenters
Marisa Ruiz Trejo
Nationality: Mexico
Residence: Mexico
Universidad Autonoma de Chiapas
Presence:Online
Keywords:
feminist an
Abstract:
Feminist anthropology, intersecting with the study of childhood and queerness, offers a dynamic lens through which to understand and critique heteronormative societies, power dynamics, and cultural narratives. This paper explores the multiple ways in which these fields intersect and delves into the comprehension of experiences of children and adults, and their understanding of self, relationships, and society.
Going from my own experience as a feminist anthropologist, sexual dissident, mother of a newborn baby, and single parenting, in this paper, I will review the feminist anthropology framework that interrogates dominant narratives of rigid gender roles and expectations and that can allow us to think in other ways to perform and to criticize the internalized normative expressions of masculinity and femininity.
Feminist anthropologists in different parts of the world, by focusing on the experiences and feminist perspectives of girls, particularly LGBT+ families communities, have long reflected on traditional notions of gender and developed multiple theories and methodologies to analyze power and heteronormative representation within the anthropological inquiry. In this paper, I will focus on the work of some feminist anthropologists to understand the intricate ways in which gender, sexuality, and identity intersect with broader social, cultural, and political systems, and how their works can contribute to implementing LGBTQ+-inclusive education, advocate for policy reforms that protect the rights of LGBTQ+ families, and foster supportive communities where children can explore and express their identities free from fear or shame.