Multiple Identities: Gender Inequality In Contemporary Society

Women who are disabled have double the disadvantages to overcome in order to, participate and succeed in the patriarchal nature of contemporary society. Cultural assumptions determine a person's position in the socially constructed hierarchy that has been created by the ruling class who tend to be white, heterosexual, able-bodied, wealthy males with outdated disablist and sexist attitudes (SWLF 3726, Multiple Identities; Stanford, 2015). The literature provided by both Ghai (2009) & Dossa (2009), place an emphasis on the fact that it is not individual abilities that prevent participation in society but the cultural and political barriers put into place by the ruling class. This paper will discuss the complexity of having multiple identities
The seven main elements that distinguish a person's identity and social position include – "race, gender, age, class, socio-economic status and sexuality" (SWLF 3736, Perceptions of Multiple Identities, Para. 2). Many assume that people fit neatly into one of the social categories, where a social role can then be assigned based on the stereotypical abilities of the associated social group (SWLF 3736, Multiple Identities). The social position that is assigned and determines where in the social hierarchy the individual lands, either at the top in the dominant group or at the bottom of a subordinate group (Ghai, 2009). Controlling the constructed of the social hierarchy ensure those in power remain in power and those who can be characterized as deviant remain subordinate (Stanford, 2015). Therefore, individuals with multiple subordinate identities such as female and disabled, are often placed at the bottom, in the margins of society to maintain the status quo in favor of predominantly white, able-bodied, wealthy males (SWFL 3637, Perceptions of Multiple
For women who are disabled, the gaps that are not being addressed become evident when comparing the goals that are being advocated for between both the woman's movement and disability movement (SWFL 3736, Multiple Identities). For instance, sexuality is an aspect that determines the value of women, for women with disabilities, this creates mixed barriers and feelings about being desirable to men (SWLF 3736, Gender & Disability). However, the disability or woman's movement does not consider the needs of a woman with multiple identities only pertain to one social group and consequently, women who are disabled exclude individuals with multiple identities that intersect at the margins. As per Ghai (2009), "this reflects the skewed attitude of mainstream feminists, who while sensitively exploring distress as a major component of a woman's life experience, conveniently leave disabled women out of their focus" (p. 303). Additionally, the high-value mainstream society and the media place the physical appearance and sex appeal of women. The qualities that are desired by high-class males is the standard of beauty in contemporary society individuals who are disabled are represented as unattractive and incapable of having sexual relations both qualities that are