What is the core concept of 'coloniality of gender'?

The concept of 'coloniality of gender' is a theoretical framework developed by Argentine philosopher Maria Lugones. It examines how European colonialism influenced and imposed European gender structures onto Indigenous peoples, particularly in the Americas, challenging the idea that gender can be understood separately from the impacts of colonialism.

On whose foundational concept does Maria Lugones build the theory of coloniality of gender?

Maria Lugones builds her concept of coloniality of gender upon Aníbal Quijano's foundational concept of 'coloniality of power'. This connection highlights how power structures established during colonialism also shaped gender relations and identities.

What specific historical context is central to the initial development of the coloniality of gender concept?

The initial development of the coloniality of gender concept is particularly focused on the influence of European colonialism on the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. It explores how colonial powers imposed their own gender systems onto these populations.

Beyond the Americas, where else has the concept of coloniality of gender been applied?

Scholars have extended the application of the coloniality of gender concept to analyze colonial experiences in Asian and African societies, demonstrating its broader relevance in understanding the global impact of colonialism on gender.

According to scholars like Maria Lugones, Yuderkys Espinosa-Miñoso, and Nelson Maldonado-Torres, what was a primary aim of the coloniality of gender?

According to Lugones, Espinosa-Miñoso, and Maldonado-Torres, the coloniality of gender aimed to disrupt Indigenous people's connections with each other and with the land. They argue that a core tenet of European colonialism was the exploitation of the earth for the benefit of man.

How does Rosalba Icaza characterize Maria Lugones' contribution to understanding gender subjugation?

Rosalba Icaza states that Maria Lugones helps in understanding the historical moment when the European sex/gender system became a form of subjugation for colonized peoples. This highlights how imposed gender norms served as a tool of colonial control.

What impact did European gender impositions potentially have on the perception of women's subordination among Indigenous peoples?

For Indigenous women, European gender impositions may have normalized the idea that women's subordination was an essential characteristic of being 'civilized' in the European sense. This contrasted with many pre-colonial Indigenous cultures.

How did many Indigenous cultures prior to European colonization structure their societies regarding gender and inheritance?

Prior to European colonization, many Indigenous cultures often adopted matrilineal inheritance and matrilocal residence as their norm, rather than the exception. This indicates different social structures and potentially more central roles for women compared to the patriarchal systems imposed by colonizers.

What did Shannon Frediani argue about the status of women in many Indigenous cultures before colonialism?

Shannon Frediani argues that many Indigenous cultures before colonialism recognized women's participation, valued their knowledge, and acknowledged their centrality in certain spiritual orientations. These aspects were significantly altered or ended by the imposition of colonial gender structures.

What type of patriarchal system existed in some societies before colonialism, and how did colonialism affect it?

Some societies experienced a 'low-intensity patriarchy' before European colonialism, which was significantly intensified by the arrival and imposition of colonial systems. This suggests that colonialism exacerbated existing patriarchal tendencies or introduced more rigid forms of male dominance.

What does Chiara Bottici suggest about recognizing historical gender roles?

Chiara Bottici suggests that recognizing the historical gender roles and their imposition through colonialism allows for reflection on the universality of modern, colonial systems, including contemporary gender roles. This encourages a critical examination of present-day norms.

According to Egla Salazar, what was a consequence of adopting patriarchal systems that enforced women's subordination?

Egla Salazar argues that the adoption of patriarchal systems, which enforced women's subordination, normalized femicide against Indigenous women. The Mayan genocide is cited as an example where this occurred.

What criticism do some scholars, including Maria Lugones, level against white feminists regarding colonial societies?

Some scholars, including Maria Lugones, argue that white feminists often ignore or deny the subordination experienced by non-white women in colonial societies. They also contend that the long-term impacts of colonialism on these women are frequently overlooked.

How did European gender impositions contribute to the hyper-sexualization of non-white women, according to Tlostanova?

Tlostanova argues that European gender impositions normalized the hyper-sexualization of non-white women and the sexual violence directed towards them. This created harmful stereotypes that dehumanized these women.

How were non-white women stereotyped in terms of their sexuality and vulnerability during the colonial era?

Non-white women were often regarded as sexually available, voracious, and willing to be raped. They were also portrayed as seductresses of white men and a threat to the happiness and well-being of white women.

What distinction did Chavez Jr. identify in the application of the concept of 'woman' to different racial groups?

Chavez Jr. argues that the concept of 'woman' was not extended to African and Indigenous women in the same way it was to white women. This was because non-white women were judged as excessively sexual, sinful, and promiscuous, contrasting with the perceived sexual chastity of European colonial women.

What was the effect of judging non-white women as lacking feminine morality due to their perceived hyper-sexuality?

The judgment of non-white women as lacking feminine morality, stemming from their perceived hyper-sexuality, led to their dehumanization. This resulted in them being sexually codified as female but lacking genuine feminine character.

How did Wardhani describe the perception of Asian women in colonized societies compared to white women?

Wardhani argued that Asian women in colonized societies were viewed as more passive, family-oriented, and demure than white women. This perception contributed to a specific colonial gender dynamic for Asian women.

What shift occurred in the ideal of manliness for non-Western men under colonial influence?

For non-Western men, the imposition of European gender norms may have shifted the ideal of manliness towards embodying characteristics associated with being a white European landowner. This presented a new standard of masculinity tied to colonial power.

What are the potential residual effects on men in communities today regarding European ideas of masculinity?

Egla Salazar suggests that the residual effects of colonial history may still be felt today, with men in some communities conforming to European ideas of what it means to be a man. This reflects the enduring influence of colonial gender standards.

How were men from colonized societies, particularly in Oriental contexts, often characterized by colonial powers?

Di Pietro et al. suggest that men from colonized societies were often feminized, especially in Oriental contexts, due to their lack of real authority or power. This characterization served to diminish their masculinity within the colonial hierarchy.

Under what circumstances could colonized males be perceived as a threat by colonial society?

Colonized males could be perceived as a threat by colonial society at the slightest hint of agency or will. This perception was particularly prevalent in African and some Amerindian contexts.

How were colonized men presented when perceived as a threat by white society?

When perceived as a threat, colonized men were presented as aggressive animals and essential rapists. This portrayal served to justify their subjugation and the control over them.

Who were colonized men seen as threatening, and how were colonized women viewed in relation to them?

Colonized men were seen as threatening the 'chaste White lady' and also their own women. These colonized women were viewed by Western society as needing rescuing from their own men, further reinforcing colonial control and gendered stereotypes.

How has the concept of coloniality of gender been used to understand the erasure of certain gender identities?

The concept of coloniality of gender has been used to understand the erasure and violence against people who occupied a 'third gender' role, as documented by Western anthropologists in the Americas. Colonialism suppressed these pre-existing gender variations.

What does Alexander I. Stingl argue regarding the concept of coloniality of gender and LGBTQ+ identities?

Alexander I. Stingl states that the concept of coloniality of gender challenges the lens through which LGBTQ+ identities are viewed. He advocates for greater recognition of the diversity in gender, sexuality, and sexual practices that existed before and outside of colonial impositions.

What does the image accompanying the article depict, and what connection does it illustrate?

The image depicts a march against femicide at UNAM in 2017. It illustrates how the concept of coloniality of gender can be used to explain the connection between modern femicide and the historical European colonization of the Americas.

What specific historical imposition by European colonialism is central to the concept of coloniality of gender?

The central historical imposition discussed in the concept of coloniality of gender is the influence and imposition of European gender structures on Indigenous peoples, particularly in the Americas.

What does the term 'coloniality of gender' suggest about the relationship between gender and colonialism?

The term 'coloniality of gender' suggests that gender is not an isolated phenomenon but is deeply intertwined with and shaped by the historical processes and power dynamics of colonialism.

What was the core idea of European colonialism concerning the earth and gender, according to Lugones, Espinosa-Miñoso, and Maldonado-Torres?

According to Lugones, Espinosa-Miñoso, and Maldonado-Torres, the core idea of European colonialism was the exploitation of the earth for the benefit of man, which inherently involved imposing specific gender roles and hierarchies.

How did European colonialism impact the pre-colonial gender norms of Indigenous women?

European colonialism impacted pre-colonial gender norms by imposing European gender structures, which may have led Indigenous women to perceive their own subordination as a sign of civilization, contrasting with earlier Indigenous cultures that often featured matrilineal inheritance and matrilocal residence.

What specific form of violence against Indigenous women is linked to the adoption of patriarchal systems post-colonization?

Egla Salazar argues that the adoption of patriarchal systems, which enforced women's subordination, normalized femicide against Indigenous women, citing the Mayan genocide as an example.

What is the argument regarding the perception of non-white women as sexually available and its consequences?

The argument is that European gender impositions normalized the hyper-sexualization of non-white women, leading to them being regarded as sexually available and willing to be raped. This perception dehumanized them and positioned them as a threat to white women.

What does Chavez Jr. mean by non-white women being 'sexually codified as female but lacking feminine character'?

Chavez Jr. means that while non-white women were recognized as biologically female, they were denied the social and moral attributes of femininity (like chastity) that were ascribed to white women. This denial stemmed from colonial stereotypes of hyper-sexuality and sinfulness, effectively dehumanizing them.

How did colonial powers often view the agency or will of colonized males?

Colonial powers often viewed any hint of agency or will from colonized males as an immediate threat to white society. This perception led to their characterization as aggressive and dangerous.

What is the significance of the 'coloniality of gender' concept in understanding contemporary issues like femicide?

The concept is significant because it links contemporary issues like femicide to the historical legacy of colonialism, suggesting that modern forms of gender-based violence have roots in the gender structures and power dynamics imposed during the colonial era.

What does the concept of coloniality of gender challenge regarding Western gender frameworks?

The concept challenges the universality and neutrality of Western gender frameworks, arguing that they were imposed through colonial power and have had detrimental effects on non-Western societies and their existing gender systems.

How did colonialism affect the 'manliness' ideal for men in colonized societies?

Colonialism influenced the ideal of manliness for men in colonized societies, often shifting it towards adopting European standards, such as those associated with being a white European landowner, thereby devaluing indigenous forms of masculinity.

What is the relationship between 'coloniality of power' and 'coloniality of gender'?

Coloniality of gender is an extension of coloniality of power. While coloniality of power addresses the overarching structures of domination established by colonialism, coloniality of gender specifically focuses on how these power structures shaped and imposed gender hierarchies and norms.

What does the term 'decolonial feminism' use the concept of coloniality of gender to analyze?

Decolonial feminism uses the concept of coloniality of gender to analyze how colonial legacies continue to shape gender relations, identities, and experiences, particularly for marginalized and racialized women globally.

What was the perceived threat posed by non-white women to white society according to colonial discourse?

Non-white women were perceived as a threat to the happiness and well-being of the 'decent White lady' because they were stereotyped as sexually available, seductive, and potentially corrupting influences.

How did colonial gender impositions affect the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the land?

Lugones, Espinosa-Miñoso, and Maldonado-Torres argue that the coloniality of gender aimed to disrupt Indigenous people's connections with the land, as European colonialism's core idea was the exploitation of the earth for male benefit, which required subjugating both people and nature.

What does the concept suggest about the origins of certain forms of gender-based violence, such as femicide?

The concept suggests that certain forms of gender-based violence, like femicide, are not merely contemporary issues but have historical roots in the colonial imposition of patriarchal structures and the dehumanization of specific gendered groups.

What is the implication of European gender impositions on Indigenous women's understanding of civilization?

The implication is that European gender impositions may have led Indigenous women to equate their own subordination with being civilized, mirroring European patriarchal norms, thereby internalizing colonial standards of social order and gender roles.

How did colonial attitudes towards colonized men differ based on context, particularly concerning their agency?

In some contexts, like Orientalist versions, colonized men were feminized due to a lack of power. However, in other contexts, such as African and Amerindian stereotypes, any hint of agency from colonized men was interpreted as a threat, leading to their portrayal as aggressive animals.

What does Alexander I. Stingl advocate for in relation to gender and sexuality practices?

Alexander I. Stingl advocates for greater recognition of the diversity in gender, sexuality, and sexuality practices, suggesting that colonial frameworks have often obscured or devalued these variations.

What is the significance of the phrase 'coloniality of gender' in understanding historical gender dynamics?

The phrase 'coloniality of gender' signifies that gender is not a natural or universal construct but is historically and politically shaped by colonial power relations, which imposed specific hierarchies and norms across colonized societies.

What does the text imply about the universality of modern gender roles?

The text implies that modern gender roles, often perceived as universal, are in fact products of colonial history and power structures. Recognizing this history allows for a critical reflection on their assumed universality.

Coloniality Of Gender Wiki: Unveiling the Colonial Imprint: Gender's Deep Roots

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The Concept of Coloniality of Gender

Defining Coloniality of Gender

Coloniality of gender is a critical concept developed by Argentine philosopher Maria Lugones. It extends Aníbal Quijano's foundational theory of coloniality of power.^[2] This framework posits that European colonialism did not merely impose political and economic structures but also fundamentally reshaped and imposed European gender hierarchies onto Indigenous populations of the Americas and other colonized regions. It challenges the assumption that gender, as understood in Western frameworks, is a universal or pre-colonial phenomenon, arguing instead that its current form is a product of colonial imposition.

Broader Applications and Academic Context

While originating from analyses of the Americas, the concept of coloniality of gender has been extended by scholars to examine colonial experiences in Asian and African societies. It is a significant theoretical tool within academic fields such as decolonial feminism and the broader study of decoloniality. These fields utilize the concept to critique enduring colonial power structures and their impact on contemporary gender relations and identities.

Impacts of Colonial Gender Imposition

Disrupting Indigenous Connections

Coloniality of gender highlights how European colonialism actively worked to dismantle pre-existing Indigenous social structures and relationships. Scholars like Lugones, Espinosa Miñoso, and Maldonado-Torres argue that a core objective of this imposition was to sever Indigenous peoples' connections to each other and to their lands. The European colonial project, in this view, was fundamentally driven by the exploitation of the earth for male benefit, a worldview that imposed a rigid, hierarchical gender system that did not align with many Indigenous cosmologies.

Historical Subjugation

Rosalba Icaza notes that Maria Lugones' work illuminates the specific historical juncture at which the European sex/gender system became a mechanism of subjugation for colonized peoples. This imposition often served to normalize the idea that European gender roles and hierarchies were inherently superior and essential to being "civilized," thereby devaluing and actively suppressing alternative gender systems and women's roles within them.

Gendered Impacts on Women

Indigenous Women and Pre-Colonial Structures

Prior to European colonization, many Indigenous cultures in the Americas featured diverse gender systems, including matrilineal inheritance and matrilocal residence patterns. Shannon Frediani points out that these societies often recognized women's participation, knowledge, and centrality in spiritual and governance structures. The imposition of colonial gender norms systematically undermined and erased these existing forms of female agency and social organization.

Intensification of Patriarchy and Femicide

In societies that previously experienced what scholars term "low-intensity patriarchy," European colonialism significantly intensified patriarchal structures. Egla Salazar argues that the adoption of these imposed patriarchal systems, which normalized women's subordination, directly contributed to the normalization of femicide against Indigenous women, citing examples such as the Mayan genocide. This historical legacy continues to shape gender-based violence in contemporary contexts.

Critiques of White Feminism

Lugones and other decolonial feminists critique certain strands of white feminism for often overlooking or denying the specific subordination faced by non-white women under colonialism. This perspective suggests that universalizing feminist theories without accounting for the colonial imposition of gender can inadvertently perpetuate colonial power dynamics and ignore the distinct historical experiences and struggles of women of color.

Hyper-sexualization and Dehumanization

Tlostanova argues that European gender impositions normalized the hyper-sexualization of non-white women, framing them as inherently sexually available, seductive, and even willing victims of rape. This narrative served to dehumanize them, contrasting them with the idealized sexual chastity of European colonial women. Chavez Jr. elaborates that this perception led to non-white women being codified as "female" but lacking "feminine character," thereby justifying their exploitation and sexual violence.

Asian Women's Experiences

Conversely, Wardhani suggests that in some colonized Asian societies, women were viewed through an Orientalist lens as more passive, family-oriented, and demure compared to Western women. This perception, while seemingly less violent, still served to reinforce colonial gender stereotypes and limit women's autonomy and public roles.

Gendered Impacts on Men

The Colonial Ideal of Manliness

For men in colonized societies, the imposition of European gender norms often shifted the ideal of manliness towards adopting the characteristics of the white European landowner. Egla Salazar suggests that the residual effects of this history can still be observed today, with men internalizing and conforming to these colonial ideals of masculinity, potentially distancing them from pre-colonial understandings of male roles and identities.

Feminization and Perceived Threats

DiPietro et al. propose that colonial men, particularly within Orientalist frameworks, were often feminized due to their perceived lack of authority and power relative to colonial rulers. Conversely, in other contexts, such as some African and Amerindian societies, colonized males who exhibited any agency were viewed as a significant threat. Stereotypes emerged that cast them as aggressive animals and potential rapists, posing a danger to both white women and colonized women, thereby justifying colonial control and intervention under the guise of protection.

Gender Variance and Colonial Erasure

Erasure of Third Gender Roles

The concept of coloniality of gender is instrumental in understanding the historical erasure and violence directed towards individuals who occupied third gender roles in many Indigenous American societies. Western anthropologists documented these roles, but European colonialism often suppressed, pathologized, or eradicated these gender expressions, imposing a rigid binary system.

Challenging Western Lenses

Alexander I. Stingl argues that the coloniality of gender framework challenges the limitations of Western-centric LGBTQ+ identity categories when applied to diverse global contexts. It advocates for a broader recognition and understanding of the spectrum of gender, sexuality, and sexual practices that existed prior to and outside of colonial influence, urging a move beyond colonial epistemologies.

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Coloniality Unveiled: Gender's Deep Roots

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

The Concept of Coloniality of Gender 💡

🌐 Defining Coloniality of Gender

📚 Broader Applications and Academic Context

Impacts of Colonial Gender Imposition ⚖️

🔗 Disrupting Indigenous Connections

⏳ Historical Subjugation

Gendered Impacts on Women ♀️

🏡 Indigenous Women and Pre-Colonial Structures

📈 Intensification of Patriarchy and Femicide

🤔 Critiques of White Feminism

🔥 Hyper-sexualization and Dehumanization

🌸 Asian Women's Experiences

Gendered Impacts on Men ♂️

👑 The Colonial Ideal of Manliness

🎭 Feminization and Perceived Threats

Gender Variance and Colonial Erasure 🏳️‍🌈

🚫 Erasure of Third Gender Roles

🔍 Challenging Western Lenses

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

The Concept of Coloniality of Gender

Defining Coloniality of Gender

Broader Applications and Academic Context

Impacts of Colonial Gender Imposition

Disrupting Indigenous Connections

Historical Subjugation

Gendered Impacts on Women

Indigenous Women and Pre-Colonial Structures

Intensification of Patriarchy and Femicide

Critiques of White Feminism

Hyper-sexualization and Dehumanization

Asian Women's Experiences

Gendered Impacts on Men

The Colonial Ideal of Manliness

Feminization and Perceived Threats

Gender Variance and Colonial Erasure

Erasure of Third Gender Roles

Challenging Western Lenses

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice for Learners