A Critique of Feminist Theory

Abstract

Objective: Feminism has grown rapidly in the last 40 years as both a multidisciplinary voice advocating for change and an area of scholarship and theory building. A review of empirical articles describes 17 studies that indicate a wide range of applications of feminist theory, but theory is applied primarily as a lens for other issues, rather than to expand theory development. Advocacy and philosophical views seem to overshadow theory development. Suggestions for improving feminist theory are offered.