The developing field of feminist economics, and, perhaps more importantly, the impact of feminist thought on mainstream economics have been some of the most important manifestations of feminist economic discernment. Feminist economic theory recognizes that economic practice and study are not objective. They have tended to focus on traditionally men’s work and activities and have adopted society’s masculine biases.
1 Feminist economics reevaluates the fundamental assumptions and axioms of mainstream economics and finds them to be both subjective and wrought with gender biases. Based on an awareness of society’s gendering of traits and qualities (i.e. autonomy is masculine, dependence is feminine) and valuing of these qualities in part based on their gendering (autonomy is preferable to dependence because the masculine is preferable to the feminine), feminist economics creates new economic models and theory.
Feminist economics is the result of an awareness that economics and the economy are not natural but the product of human society, reflecting the biases and gender distortions of society’s cultures. Feminist economics reflects a willingness to thoughtfully consider, reform, and recreate existing socio-economic institutions based on this awareness.
Feminist economics is growing in academia. An increasing number of undergraduate
institutions offer relevant coursework, and a few graduate institutions offer
graduate programs in feminist economics.
The International Association for
Feminist Economics (IAFFE) connects these programs together by maintaining a
collection of feminist economics course syllabi. IAFFE allows feminist
economists and other interested individuals to access one another's work and
helps inspire new research topics. The IAFFE holds conferences, publishes the
quarterly journal,
Feminist
Economics, and maintains a webpage and e-mail forum
for the discussion of feminist economic issues.
The work of feminist economists and other feminists has led to some changes
in mainstream economics as well including a recognition of traditional "women's
work" and an acknowledgement of discrimination against women in various economic
institutions.
