In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the subject

DSSD 612: Paradigms of Social Development

in
Philippine Womens University





A Postmodern Feminist Paradigm
in
Social Development: A Personal Choice





By
Genevieve M. Nangit
Student No. 20132620

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1. INTRODUCTION

Before I discuss the theory that I have chosen in order to understand social
development and examine its programmes or projects, let me first present how this
paper was organized.

I have always preferred a systematic approach in presenting concepts. In such
way, I will have established statements corroborated from a collected data (either
numerical or texts) that can rationalize the progress of my thoughts, and this is
how I came to choose my preferred social development theory. I started by
identifying fundamental words and then defined them. I collected various
definitions and grouped them according to the concepts they reflects. I have
chosen the definitions that when collated will reflect my values and aspirations.
Afterwards, I expanded my collection of ideas by focusing on the ideologies with
the support of related literatures. I focused my search and review of literatures
based on my understanding of the fundamental definitions and concepts. At first, I
settled on different and separated ideology, but when I came across different
articles, I found that certain ideology can be combined based on a common
fundamentals of its belief system. This is how I came to choose the postmodern
feminist paradigm.

This paper is divided into four sections excluding the last section. The second
section is about the definition of terms, third is the postmodern feminist theory in
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social development and the fourth section are presentation of studies with a
postmodern feminist paradigm as mechanism for social development.

The section 2. Definition of Terms presents 6 terminologies with meanings coming
from several articles. And eventually a coherent definition that best embody the
meanings of the term is given.

The section 3. Postmodern Feminist Theory in Social Development presents the
relevance of the paradigm in analyzing issues about social development.

The section 4. Social Development Projects that Utilizes a Postmodern Feminist
Paradigm is a collection of four empirical studies that support the relevance of
feminist postmodernism in social development.

2. DEFINITION OF TERMS

2a. Development

I was able to acquire two definitions of development. The first definition came from
the Development and Development Paradigms A (Reasoned) Review of Prevailing
Visions (Bellu, 2011), Development means an event constituting a new stage in a
changing situation (Page 2). The second definition was from Theories of
Page 3 of 22

Development: Contentions, Arguments, Alternative (Peet and Hartwick, 2009),
Development means making a better life for everyone (Page 1).

In both statements, development has the attributes of events and means of making
better. Therefore to summarize, development is a word that indicate action that
must result to improvement.



2b. Social Development
I was able to collect 6 definitions of social development which came from 2
documents. Presented below are the definitions and followed by a table that
examines the definitions by extracting phrases that reflects a common concept
across the other definitions.

The first document Social Development in an Uncertain World UNRISD
Research Agenda 2010-2014 (UNRISD, 2011) introduced the term social
development as one that is concerned with processes of change that lead to
improvements in human well-being, social relations and social institutions, and that
are equitable, sustainable, and compatible with principles of democratic
governance and social justice (Page 2).

In the second document Social Development: A Theoretical Analysis (Khoda,
2006), I extracted 5 definitions of social development:
Page 4 of 22


From page 74, By Midgley, social development is a process of
planned social change designed to promote the well-being of the
population as a whole in conjunction with a dynamic process of
economic development.

From page 76, By Paiva [], social development means the
development of peoples capacity to work continuously for the
welfare of their own and for their society as well.

From page 77, by Hollister (1975) defines social development as
the process of planned institutional change to bring about a better
fit between human needs, social policies and programmes.

From page 78, by Kulkarni (1979) defines social development as
a process of systematic change (values, institutions and
practices) purposefully initiated through the instruments of social
policy and planning for improvements in the levels of living and
quality of life of the people, particularly, the weaker sections
among them, with their own active involvement at all stages.

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From page 79, by Kothari (1993) believes that for obtaining
social development people should have opportunity to participate
in decision- making process. People are to be central in the whole
development process.

Table 1. The Common Concepts in the Definitions of Social Development
Definitions
Extracted phrases that reflects common
concepts across the other definitions
Social development - one that is concerned
with processes of change that lead to
improvements in human well-being, social
relations and social institutions, and that are
equitable, sustainable, and compatible with
principles of democratic governance and
social justice (Page 2).
1
Process of change that leads to improvements in
human well-being, social relations and social
institutions




By Midgley, social development is a process
of planned social change designed to
promote the well-being of the population as a
whole in conjunction with a dynamic process
of economic development (Page 74).
2
Process of planned social change to promote the
well-being of the population

By Paiva [], social development means the
development of peoples capacity to work
continuously for the welfare of their own and
for their society as well (Page 76).
2

Development of peoples capacity to work
continuously for the welfare of their own and for
their society
Hollister (1975) defines social development
as the process of planned institutional
change to bring about a better fit between
human needs, social policies and
programmes (Page 77).
2
Process of planned institutional change to bring
about a better fit between human needs, social
policies and programmes
`Kulkarni (1979) defines social development
as a process of systematic change (values,
institutions and practices) purposefully
initiated through the instruments of social
policy and planning for improvements in the
levels of living and quality of life of the
people, particularly, the weaker sections
among them, with their own active
involvement at all stages (Page 78).
2

Process of systematic change [] purposefully
initiated [] and planning for improvements in
the levels of living and quality of life of people
Kothari (1993) believes that for obtaining
social development people should have
opportunity to participate in decision- making
process. People are to be central in the
whole development process (Page 79).
2

People should have opportunity to participate in
decision-making process
1
Social Development in an Uncertain World UNRISD Research Agenda 2010-2014 (UNRISD, 2011)
2
Social Development A Theoretical Analysis (Khoda, 2006)
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From all the definitions of the term social development, I was able to extract a
common concept that existed among them based on the words that were used to
define the term. The concept is the process of change that is planned and
systematic that is initiated and done by people who are the beneficiary of the
outcome.

The process of change that is presented in all the definitions of social development
is not individualistic but societal, which is comprised of people. And because its
meaning denotes people, it implies empowerment to active involvement in the
process of change, the term is true to itself and could be in general be also referred
as improvement of social welfare. Therefore in summary, social development is a
systematic process of change that is initiated by the people who will also benefit
from the outcome of their own decisions and actions.


2c. Paradigm
I came across three definitions of paradigm.

The first definition came from the Chapter 1 World Views, Paradigms, and the
Practice of Social Science Research (n.d.), A paradigm is thus a comprehensive
belief system, world view, or framework that guides research practice in a field.
(Page 8)
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The second definition came from Chapter 2 Paradigms, Theory and Social
Research (n.d.), Paradigm is the fundamental models or frames of reference we
use to organize our observations and reasoning. (Page 42)


The third definition came from What is your Paradigm? (n.d.), A paradigm is
simply a belief system (or theory) that guides the way we do things, or more
formally establishes a set of practices. This can range from thought patterns to
action.

The table below facilitated my summarization on the properties of paradigm based
on the three definitions.

Table 2. The Common Concepts in the Definitions of Paradigm
Definitions
Extracted phrases that reflects
common concepts across the other
definitions
A paradigm is thus a comprehensive belief
system, world view, or framework that guides
research practice in a field.
1
System or framework that guides
research practice
Paradigm is the fundamental models or frames
of reference we use to organize our
observations and reasoning (Page 42).
2
Fundamental models or frames of
reference to organize our observations
and reasoning
A paradigm is simply a belief system (or theory)
that guides the way we do things, or more
formally establishes a set of practices. This can
range from thought patterns to action.
3
Belief system (or theory) that guides the
way we do thing
1
Chap 1 World Views, Paradigms, and the Practice of Social Science Research
2
Chap 2 Paradigms, Theory and Social Research
3
What is your Paradigm?




Page 8 of 22

The word paradigm is defined consistently with the properties: a belief system or
frame of reference, and a guide in organizing observation. Therefore in summary,
paradigm is a system of belief that aim to facilitate the organization and analysis
of observations.


2d. Feminism
The following are the definitions of feminism:

From Defining Feminism: A Comparative Historical Approach (Offen, 1988), A
theory and/or movement concerned with advancing the position of women through
such means as achievement of political, legal, or economic rights equal to those
granted men. (Page 123)


Europeans focused as much or more on elaborations of
womanliness; they celebrated sexual difference rather similarity
within a framework of male/female complementarity; and, instead of
seeking unqualified admissions to male-dominated society, they
mounted a wide-ranging critique of the society and institutions.
(Page 124)


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From Rosalind Delmars What is Feminism?, Many would agree that at the very
least a feminist is someone who holds that women suffer discrimination because
of their sex, that they have specific needs which remain negated and unsatisfied,
and that the satisfaction of these needs would require a radical change (some
would say a revolution even) in the social, economic and political order []
Feminists play and have played with a range of choices in the process of self-
presentation, registering a relation both to the body and to the social meaning of
womanhood. (Page 8)

From Feminism: Various Approaches and Its Values by Ivy Singh, Feminism is an
awareness of womens oppression and exploitation at work, within the family and
society, and conscious action by women and men to change this situation and
uplift the life of women [] Feminism is against patriarchy expressed in
domination, selfishness, aggression, violence and oppression. (Page 58)

I created a table to assist me in identifying the different concepts of feminism, and
through it, I realize that feminism is a thought, a perspective and a movement which
singularly focus on women, particularly their life and welfare.




Page 10 of 22

Table 3. The Common Concepts in the Definitions of Feminism
Definitions
Extracted phrases that reflects common
concepts across the other definitions

A theory and/or movement concerned with
advancing the position of women through such
means as achievement of political, legal, or
economic rights equal to those granted men.
(Page 123)
1

Theory and/or movement concerned with
advancing the position of women
Europeans focused as much or more on
elaborations of womanliness; they celebrated
sexual difference rather similarity within a
framework of male/female complementarity;
and, instead of seeking unqualified admissions
to male-dominated society, they mounted a
wide-ranging critique of the society and
institutions. (Page 124)
1
Celebrated sexual difference rather
similarity within a framework of male/female
complementarity [] they mounted a wide-
ranging critique of the society and
institutions
Many would agree that at the very least a
feminist is someone who holds that women
suffer discrimination because of their sex, that
they have specific needs which remain
negated and unsatisfied, and that the
satisfaction of these needs would require a
radical change (some would say a revolution
even) in the social, economic and political
order. (Page 8)
2

Feminist is someone who holds that women
suffer discrimination because of their sex
that they have specific needs which remain
negated and unsatisfied

Feminists play and have played with a range

of choices in the process of self-presentation,
registering a relation both to the body and to
the social meaning of womanhood. (Page 8)
2

Feminists play [] with a range of choices
in the process of self-presentation,
registering a relation both to the body and to
the social meaning of womanhood
Feminism is an awareness of womens
oppression and exploitation at work, within the
family and society, and conscious action by
women and men to change this situation and
uplift the life of women. (Page 58).
3
Feminism is an awareness of womens
oppression and exploitation [] and
conscious action by women and men to
change this situation and uplift the life of
women
Feminism is against patriarchy expressed in
domination, selfishness, aggression, violence
and oppression. (Page 58).
3

Feminism is against [] domination,
selfishness, aggression, violence and
oppression
1
Defining Feminism: A Comparative Historical Approach (Offen, 1988)
2
What is Feminism by Rosalind Delmar
3
Feminism: Various Approaches and Its Values by Ivy Singh


In summary based on the definitions given above, feminism is a thought that
acknowledges and celebrates the sexual difference of women (Offen, 1988). And
because of this, it is also a perspective that sees the sufferings experienced by
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women brought by discrimination because of their sex (Delmar, n.d.), the negated
and unsatisfied specific needs of women

(Delmar, n.d.) and, is against with the
patriarchal expression of domination, selfishness, aggression, violence and
oppression (Singh, n.d.). As a result, feminism can be a movement because of the
conscious action of individuals, either women or men, in a wide-ranging critique of
the society and institutions (Offen, 1988) in order to promote the choices for
women through the process of self-presentation, registering a relation both to the
body and to the social meaning of womanhood (Delmar, n.d.) to be able to address
the needs of women.


2e. Postmodernism
According to Miriam-Webster Dictionary, Postmodernism is a theory that involves
a radical appraisal of modern assumptions about culture, identity, history or
language.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Postmodernism in Western philosophy is a
late 20
th
-century movement characterized by broad skepticism, subjectivism, or
relativism; a general suspicion of reason; and an acute sensitivity to the role of
ideology in asserting and maintain political and economic power.

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According to Theories of Development: Contentions, Arguments, Alternatives
(Peet and Hartwick, 2009), The postmodern end of poststructural theory
abandons the notion of the rational unified subject in favor of a socially and
linguistically decentered and fragmented subject with multiple identities (Page
201).


According to Postmodernism and Political Change: Issues for Feminist Theory by
Nancy Hartsock, Postmodernism is reacting against a particular body of thought
[] termed the Enlightenment. (Page 16)

I have chosen not to collate and find a corroborative concept of postmodernism
because all of the definitions had explicitly indicated the meaning postmodernism.
In general, it is a skepticism on the fundamentals of modernity.


2f. Postmodern Feminism
According to Theories of Development: Contentions, Arguments, Alternatives
(Peet and Hartwick, 2009), The postmodern feminist position on reason as
colonizing scientific rationalism likewise finds development to be subtle Western
coercion coercion because it entraps womens optimism about the future.
Other, more ambivalent, partially postmodern positions would retain development
yet completely rethink it. (Page 250)
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According to Singhs Feminism: Various Approaches and Its Values, Feminism
has no specific abstract definition applicable to all women at all times, since it is
based on historically and culturally concrete realities and levels of consciousness,
perceptions and actions. It is a complex movement with many layers. It can be
articulated differently in different parts of the world, depending upon various
backgrounds. (Page 58)

The previous two definitions of postmodern feminisms shows that it is a frame of
reference that entertains the difference of perspective and rejects the Western
thought of scientific rationalism as the single and supreme way of thinking that
suppresses the womens self-representation and realization of her potential. The
definition below is a personal favorite.

According to Feminist Thought A More Comprehensive Introduction (Tong, 2009),
Postmodern feminists reject phallogocentric thought, that is, ideas ordered around
an absolute word (logos) that is male in style (hence the reference to the phallus).
In addition, postmodern feminists reject any mode of feminist thought that aims to
provide a single explanation for why women are oppressed. (Page 270)



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3. POSTMODERN FEMINIST THEORY IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

By celebrating differences, this postmodern feminist paradigm acknowledges
different perspectives and work on it without rejecting other thoughts (Loftsdottir,
2001). It is the desire of postmodern feminist to understand the construction of
social meanings and thus facilitates mutual trust with the generators of knowledge
on the local context (Partpart, 1993; Mcrobbie, 2005, p.68). Because it is by
analyzing the way the meanings of words were constructed and used that the
suitable development can be attained which exhibits the value empathy and
solidarity (Partpart, 1993).

The development will not come from an outside experts who have their own
meaning of social development based on their interaction in their society, rather it
must be identified by the affected individuals and probable solutions must come
from them. As such, with this practice, social development will not end in them but
will keep on moving as they empower individuals around them.

In summary, it is this postmodern feminist way of thinking which is pragmatic,
contextual and local that made it an enabling mechanism in understanding social
issues and identify suitable solutions. As such, this kind of paradigm is a favorable
lens for social development which is not individualistic but societal because its
focus are clusters of individuals. As a people-based approach, this can be a tool
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for empowerment which can initiate the process of change which is systematic and
is implemented by the people who will benefit from the outcome of their own
decisions and actions.


4. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT THAT UTILIZES A POSTMODERN
FEMINIST PARADIGM
I was able to retrieve from the internet 4 projects of which in my opinion resembles
a postmodern feminist paradigm. The description of each project came from the
project documents and are referenced.

4a. Postmodern Feminist Empowering Counseling (PFEC)

for the abused
women in Thailand
Project Description
PFEC aims to implement changes of women within men dominant society.
This is an empowering process that would help women choose and control
their own living paths by raising the equal gender awareness between men
and women. PFEC focuses on external structures and attempt to free
clients from a blaming the victim stance.



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Project Results
The PFEC helped the abused women change their beliefs and their
perception of their internal power changed considerably from evaluation of
the PFEC on the views of Thai abused women. The findings showed that
the abused women who received counseling achieved changes in three
themes: thought changes men and women are equal, belief changes
being abused is not fate, emotional changes feeling powerful.

4b. Application of the Community Conversation Enhancement Methodology
for Gender Equality in Namibia

This is part of the Joint Programme titled Setting Things Right Towards Equality
and Equity. Document came from Advancing Gender Equality: Promising
Practices Case Studies from the Millenium Development Goals Achievement Fund
Project Description
Community Capacity Enhancement (CCE) through Community
Conversations is a methodology used for mobilizing communities for action
HIV and AIDS build on trust, accountability and participation. It is an
approach aimed at creating interactive spaces for facilitated conversations,
reflections and applications based on relationships of trust and mutual
respect.


Page 17 of 22

Project Results
Results of the programme included increased numbers of people going for
Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Services, increased use of
condoms and opening new ground for discussion of taboo subjects such
as sex, child abuse, gender issues, early pregnancy and HIV and AIDS
stigma. The CCE facilitators were very successful in engaging communities,
raising social development issues and taking them up to the municipalities
and regional councils for intervention.

4c. Womens Participation in Stabilization and Conflict Prevention in North
Kivu
This is part of the Joint Programme titled Project to Support Stabilization and
Conflict Prevention in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Document
came from Advancing Gender Equality: Promising Practices Case Studies from
the Millenium Development Goals Achievement Fund
Project Description
It adopted a holistic and multi-sectoral approach to conflict prevention and
peacebuilding based on conflict analysis. The focus was on community-
based reintegration of returnees (ex-combatants and displaced persons)
and survivors of sexual violence, improvement of absorption capacity and
livelihoods, and community-based prevention initiatives. Special attention
was paid to the needs, participation and empowerment of vulnerable
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women, including survivors of sexual violence, widows, women heads of
households and poor women. There was an equal representation of men
and women in the community to overcome the structural discriminations
tending to exclude women from information and decision-making spheres.
To facilitate the understanding of womens situations and to address
specific problems of protection, the Programme promoted the creation of
young and womens forum, as space where women could openly discuss
their concerns.
Project Results
The observed changes can be grouped into three main categories:
empowerment of women in controlling their own destinies, strengthening of
womens skills and cooperation between women and men.









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4d. Gender-Responsive Budgeting at National and Municipal Levels

This is part of the Joint Programme titled From Rhetoric to Reality Promoting
Womens Participation and Gender-Responsive Budgeting. Document came from
Advancing Gender Equality: Promising Practices Case Studies from the Millenium
Development Goals Achievement Fund.
Project Description
The overall goal was to guarantee the exercise of human rights in these
spheres, womens economic autonomy and the reduction of gender-based
violence. And to do so, is to develop methods and tools for integrating a
gender perspective in the National General Budget (PGR) and the Planning
and Budgeting Municipal Systems (SPPMDH), as well as by promoting the
inclusion of projects aimed at womens empowerment in the local budgets
of the 15 municipalities participating in the Programme.
Project Results
Womens participation in the process of elaboration of municipal plans and
budgets largely exceeded the expected targets: a total of 113,814 women
participated in the 15 municipalities, against the 66,000 expected. This
participation took place through community assemblies, and through
meetings with technical teams and lobby groups.


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5. CONCLUSION

A postmodern feminism is a relevant paradigm in assessing social development
issues, as well as, in developing programmes. The way it sees the crisis and
problem are not dogmatic, rather it is enabling by looking at the root causes from
the perspective of those affected. This kind of paradigm facilitates the surfacing of
knowledge that is already available but hidden to those who are not indigenous of
the place, and as a result, it empowers the indigenous by making them aware of
their own situation, claim their own problem or crisis and look for solutions based
on their own values and understanding. Social development in this paradigm is a
continuous movement generated by the people themselves which in turn makes it
sustainable.













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