3: Gender and the Environment

Do different genders relate to nature differently? Dianne Rocheleau claims that there are in fact, real differences in the way women relate to their environment. In fact, there is even a diversity in the different types of understandings on this topic. Rocheleau’s article analyzes the similarities and differences in the ecofeminist, feminist environmentalist, socialist feminist, feminist poststructuralist, and environmentalist perspectives. The author’s research into the intricate ideologies led to several common themes throughout different perspectives. First, the types of roles that women typically occupy lead them to have a different experience relating to and observing nature. Second, women are more likely to be invested in domestic interests, rather than commercial. Third, the institution of environmentalism and feminism are most commonly studied by plain observation rather than precise scientific tools. Fourth, several ideologies call for a holistic integration of the management of the environment and human health as many often recognize that these two directly correlate with each other. Fifth, most women’s environmental movements are somewhat based in Sandra Harding’s elements of the feminist critique. Rocheleau establishes a new perspective based on these common identities: feminist political ecology. The intersection of culture/nature is different for everyone and to assume that there is only one type of relationship between these two concepts diminishes the experiences of others which should instead, be valued.