Understanding Women in Scotland

• Published in: Feminist review Vol. 58; no. 1; pp. 44 - 65
• Main Authors: Breitenbach, Esther, Brown, Alice, Myers, Fiona
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Feminist Review 01-04-1998
• Subjects: Constitutional reform; Cultural imperialism; Females; Feminism; Gender relations; Great Britain; Marginality; National Identity; Nationalism; Scotland; Sex Role Identity; Social Closure; United Kingdom; Women
• ISSN: 0141-7789; 1466-4380
• DOI: 10.1080/014177898339587

This article explores obstacles to understanding the history and contemporary experiences of women in Scotland, and to the development of feminist research in Scotland. It is argued that explanations which invoke Scottish male chauvinism and misogyny alone are insufficient, and that the marginalization of women in Scotland is produced both by male domination within Scotland, and by English cultural and political hegemony within the UK. The article comments on the relationship of the concept of ‘Britishness’ to that of ‘Scottishness’ (and other identities within the UK) and illustrates how the frequent confusion of ‘British’ with ‘English’ serves to obscure Scottish experience. It is also argued that the place of Scotland within the British state has led to the creation of an institutional framework that disadvantages women, and a system of government that excludes women. This implies that feminist debates on the state in Britain require a specific focus on the form of the British state, and in the context of constitutional change in particular this is important for the development of future strategies. It is argued that the double marginalization of women in Scotland is not just a problem in relation to the development of feminist research, but is also a political problem in that it contributes to a degree of alienation from feminism in England. The article concludes by arguing for the necessity of recognition of difference, but also for dialogue, as the basis for feminist alliances in different parts of the UK.