Western describes something related to the west, or to Western countries and cultures such as Europe and North America.
“Western” is formed from “west” plus the -ern ending, which makes adjectives meaning “from or of a place.” It has been used both for directions and for cultural regions.
A “western” can be a direction, a movie genre, or a whole way of life, depending on context. The word shows how geography words often grow into cultural and political labels.
"Western" can describe geography or culture, but it also carries a history of centering European and North American norms as universal, often marginalizing women and non-Western perspectives. In film and literature, the "Western" genre has historically foregrounded male heroes and sidelined women.
Be specific about whether you mean geographic, cultural, or genre-related "Western," and avoid assuming Western norms are default or superior. Acknowledge diverse gender roles and contributions within and beyond Western contexts when relevant.
["European and North American","Euro-American","so-called Western","Western-genre (for media)"]
Women scholars and creators have challenged narrow notions of the "Western" canon and expanded recognition of women's work in Western philosophy, science, literature, and film.
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