Maiden Mother Matriarch with Louise Perry Feminism, defeated - Kate Phelan | Maiden Mother Matriarch Episode 159
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Aug 24, 2025 In this discussion, Kate Phelan, a lecturer at RMIT University and author of 'Feminism, Defeated,' explores the shifting landscape of feminism over the past fifty years. She contrasts the radical roots of second-wave feminism with its entrenchment in broader progressive movements. The conversation delves into complexities surrounding trans experiences and the evolving narrative on domestic violence, while questioning the cohesiveness of women's identities within feminism. Phelan critiques modern interpretations that may dilute feminist principles and ideological integrity.
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Two Distinct Feminist Framings
- Political feminism treats men and women as power groups with hierarchical relations.
- Social feminism treats gender as constructed and contingent rather than primarily about power.
Butler Reframes Harm And Power
- Butlerian gender theory emphasizes performance and the construction of gender categories.
- This view reframes who is harmed by patriarchy, focusing on those excluded from intelligible gender norms.
Practical Politics Reshapes Theory
- Some contemporary feminists adapt older ideas to accommodate trans inclusion, sometimes post-hoc.
- Political expediency and kindness can drive philosophical revisions rather than pure theoretical continuity.
