Toward a Critical Feminist Perspective of Culture and Self

Abstract

The overall aim of this article is to provide a critical feminist perspective of culture and self. Five main points of view are presented. First, cultural feminists’ essentialist claims of ‘gendered’ experience for all women are critiqued. Second, a deconstructive reading of essentialist self from postmodern feminist perspective is discussed. Third, the ongoing critique of western autonomous self is critically reviewed. Fourth, a further deconstructive reading of dualist thinking in cultural literature is suggested. Finally, a critical feminist perspective and its implications to feminist research and clinic work are provided.