Within feminist theory, feminist scholars are concerned with a broad range of issues and topics for discussion. Animal studies is a new and edgy field, especially in the context of feminist theory. The general findings of the review include patriarchal schemas, and speciesism as an institution of oppression influencing and interconnected with sexism and racism. While there are notable authors and scholars within the field of animal studies in feminist theory (see Carol Adams and Josephine Donovan), it is still relatively unestablished. This literature review will examine the prominent discourses in animal and feminist theory.
First, I will explore the historic and contemporary connections of animal studies within feminist waves and discussions. …show more content…
Birke (1994) has affirmed that animals are largely missing from feminist discourse and that there has generally been “no way of thinking about other species within feminism” (Birke, 1994, p. 340). A number of authors have traced back some evidence of animal rights and vegetarianism in early feminism. Notably, Donovan (1990) described how animals were at the very least put into consideration by women during the first and second waves of feminism. As women were searching to gain their liberation and integration into public life during the first wave of feminism, there was also a rise in the notion to end all violence, including animal slaughter (Donovan 1990). Moreover, the liberation movement extended to the institution of vegetarianism as early as the mid-nineteenth century. In fact, Donovan (1990) made reference to a number of first wave feminists who were animal welfare advocates or vegetarians. Other suffrage workers adopted vegetarianism as well. Birke explained the absent consideration for other species during the second wave of feminism:
To some extent, this was the result of emphasis in early second wave feminism on the social construction of gender, and a disavowal of claims that gendered behaviour resulted from biological determinism. Feminists wanted to separate themselves from the bestial, from implications of fixity: so, since non-human animals were so often cited as examples of how gender is fixed into biology, they were disregarded” (Birke, 1994, p.
First, I will explore the historic and contemporary connections of animal studies within feminist waves and discussions. …show more content…
Birke (1994) has affirmed that animals are largely missing from feminist discourse and that there has generally been “no way of thinking about other species within feminism” (Birke, 1994, p. 340). A number of authors have traced back some evidence of animal rights and vegetarianism in early feminism. Notably, Donovan (1990) described how animals were at the very least put into consideration by women during the first and second waves of feminism. As women were searching to gain their liberation and integration into public life during the first wave of feminism, there was also a rise in the notion to end all violence, including animal slaughter (Donovan 1990). Moreover, the liberation movement extended to the institution of vegetarianism as early as the mid-nineteenth century. In fact, Donovan (1990) made reference to a number of first wave feminists who were animal welfare advocates or vegetarians. Other suffrage workers adopted vegetarianism as well. Birke explained the absent consideration for other species during the second wave of feminism:
To some extent, this was the result of emphasis in early second wave feminism on the social construction of gender, and a disavowal of claims that gendered behaviour resulted from biological determinism. Feminists wanted to separate themselves from the bestial, from implications of fixity: so, since non-human animals were so often cited as examples of how gender is fixed into biology, they were disregarded” (Birke, 1994, p.