The philosophical belief that things have a core essence or unchanging nature that defines them, often criticized when applied to groups of people.
From essentia plus the suffix -ism (a doctrine or practice). This term became prominent in 20th-century philosophy and debates about identity, though its roots trace back to ancient Platonic ideas of essential forms.
Essentialism seems obvious — of course women are essentially one way, or people from a place are essentially the same — but modern thinkers argue this is actually how prejudice sneaks in. What we think is 'essential' about a group is often just habit or stereotype!
Essentialism historically justified fixed gender roles by claiming women's 'essence' as maternal and domestic. This pseudo-biological framing became a tool to restrict women's participation in public life, education, and work.
Use with awareness that gender essentialism is not scientifically supported. Acknowledge that gender essentialism has been used to rationalize inequality.
["gender inclusivity","role flexibility","intersectionality"]
Women scholars and feminist philosophers (Simone de Beauvoir, Rosi Braidotti) have systematically critiqued biological essentialism, establishing that gender is socially constructed, not essential.
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