Final answer:
Intersectionality is the theory that suggests we cannot separate the effects of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and other attributes when considering an individual's experiences and issues. Originally developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw and further by Patricia Hill Collins, this concept acknowledges the multifaceted aspects of identity and oppression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Advocates of intersectionality argue that gender cannot be understood separate from other issues including race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, etc. This theory, which highlights the complex interactions of multiple forms of identity and disadvantage, is particularly associated with the work of feminist sociologist Patricia Hill Collins and legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw.
Intersectionality emphasizes that the experiences and struggles of individuals are shaped by interconnected and mutually reinforcing factors such as race, class, gender, and ethnicity. For instance, understanding prejudice requires acknowledging that it may manifest differently for individuals based on the combined influence of these social categories. A white woman and a poor Asian woman may face very different forms of prejudice due to the interplay of their racial, economic, and gender identities.
The concept of intersectionality also underscores that individuals might belong to multiple oppressed or minority groups, making their experiences uniquely challenging and intensifying the disadvantages they face. It promotes a nuanced view that looks beyond a single-axis framework, seeking to understand the complexity of social inequalities.