biological essentialism
[baɪ.ə.ˈlɑː.dʒɪ.kəl ɪˈsen.ʃə.lɪ.zəm]
noun
essencialismo biológico
1. The philosophical belief that certain social, behavioral, or psychological characteristics are determined by immutable biological or genetic factors rather than shaped by culture, environment, or social construction
The argument that women are naturally less suited for leadership roles relies on biological essentialism, ignoring decades of social research.
O argumento de que as mulheres são naturalmente menos adequadas para cargos de liderança se baseia em essencialismo biológico, ignorando décadas de pesquisa social.
2. The reductive view that identity categories (such as gender, race, or sexuality) are fixed and determined primarily by biological characteristics rather than being socially constructed
Critics argue that biological essentialism perpetuates harmful stereotypes about gender and sexuality.
Críticos argumentam que o essencialismo biológico perpetua estereótipos prejudiciais sobre gênero e sexualidade.
This term is primarily used in academic, feminist, and LGBTQ+ discourse in both Brazil and the USA. In Brazilian academia, it is often discussed in gender studies, anthropology, and sociology courses as part of critiques of sexism and racism. In the USA, it became increasingly prominent in cultural debates from the 1970s onward, particularly in feminist and critical race theory contexts. The term carries politically charged connotations, as it is used to critique deterministic thinking that justifies social inequalities.
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