Three concerns have motivated scholars to examine what is often
called the “dilemma” between sexual equality and cultural autonomy.
First, by far the majority of the world's women fail to enjoy the legal , political, social and economic status enjoyed by men and, moreover,
one of the main explanations for their relatively deprived state is
found in the cultural traditions and practices that govern their lives . Second, even though sexism is ubiquitous, the existence of gender
inequality within minority groups renders vulnerable the claims of
groups to cultural autonomy, especially claims made by groups that are
marginalized or fragile. And, third, all scholars who tread in this mine
field of issues must come to terms with the most vexing methodological
challenges in the social sciences and humanities, namely how to avoid
the excesses of, on the one hand, universalism and essentialism
and, on the other hand, relativism and social constructivism. Feminist
theory provides one of the most interesting and lively venues for
the exploration of these challenges, and the debates seem to reach a
particularly intriguing pitch when the putative conflict between gender
and culture is discussed.
