Women & Development SOC 703
In class assignment, Group of 6
September 17, 2003

It is problematic that Western feminism treats all women as the same because we are assuming universalism. Universalism is defined as the assumption of the commonness of all women at all times and in all contexts. Thus, implying that all women are the same. We have to take into account that all women are not the same because of different cultures, class, value and belief systems. Maria Mies does this by examining the lace makers of Narsapur, India. Mies discovers that this is contrary to Western feminism and that feminism believes that the work is primary and family life comes second, whereas in India the women used work to fill their leisure time.

Another problem in assuming that all women are the same is that it assumes that the western way of life and western knowledge is the correct way. This assumption is based on the modernization theory which has no consideration for political, economic and cultural needs which would in turn produce greater inequities. The problem with using this approach to development is that it assumes that changes at the top level will trickle down throughout society. The people that need it most will never receive the benefits of this effort.

It is only by understanding contradictions in women’s location within various structures that effective political action and challenges can be devised. The whole idea of feminism is to empower women but one can not be empowered if someone else, who does not understand their culture, speaks for them.

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