Page 12 - Issue-16

ELITE ISSUE 16, FEBRUARY 2020 PAGE 12

Intersectionality and

Challenging the Idea of

Specialization

Dina Ibrahim
This article seeks to raise the question about the concept
of intersectionality as an analytical strategy. Thi s term
FEPS Assistant Lecturer of Political
challenges the idea of specialization and the
epistemological boundaries of studying the differen t Science
phenomena that have different methods and strategie s in
studying phenomena that fall within their scope. Th is
comes as a result of what intersectionality offers as a
The understanding of these phenomena in their
strategy for analyzing the possibilities and capabi lities to
BRAND
relationship to each other is necessary for
research the phenomenon we study considering its
intersectionality because it does not exclude the
POSITIONING AND
intertwining with other phenomena.
understanding of phenomenon to only one dimension,
TARGET MARKETS

but it includes the various dimensions in the analy sis,
The concept of intersectionality emerged in the ear ly
which is consistent with the complex nature of the
twenty-first century to become the focus of
human phenomenon.
interdisciplinary studies, women's studies, gender, cultural
Intersectionality may be seen as an analytical stra tegy
studies, political science, history and other tradi tional
that assures the necessity of studying and understa nding
fields. However, we cannot say that there is an agr eement
the human phenomenon in consideration of the multip le
on the definition of this term, and there are many debates
dimensions of the phenomenon. Nevertheless, it is
about it. Some researchers deal with it as a concep t,
treated as a kind of methodological incoherence tha t
theory, and approach. And others use it as a paradi gm, a
undermines scientific and specialized accuracy. Som e
methodological tool, and as a strategy for analysis .
scholars see that it leads to the complexity of res earch

and the useless expansion of the study, but it rema ins
This article tends to look at intersectionality as an
unrealistic to consider it unscientific. Rather, it may be
analytical strategy, and therefore adopts the follo wing
useful to rethinking of the matter as a challenge t o the
definition: the set of ideas and practices that in dividuals
idea of specialization which was associated with th e
adopt in their daily lives. These ideas and practi ces
development of social sciences and scientific progr ess to
participate in shaping their perceptions and experi ences.
match the state of natural sciences.

To conclude, intersectionality does not deny its ne ed to
This definition adopts a central belief in the impo rtance of
develop a coherent and comprehensive view of the
these ideas and practices in giving us a deep
appropriate methodologies for analysis, but at the same
understanding of the reality and the differentiated
time its users have to bear the difficulties they f ace when
experiences of individuals and groups that dedicate social
seriously studying other phenomena outside their
inequality. For example, it promotes the importance of
specialization.
understanding gender in terms of class, age, gender ,

environment and location, as they are interrelated and
complex phenomena.
ELITE ISSUE 16, FEBRUARY 2020 PAGE 12