Intersectionality - an intercategorical empirical apporach

Abstract

The aim of this article is to demonstrate how to empirically uncover intersectional complexity by simple methods. The article is based on three examples of intercategorical complexity. Firstly, by discussing gender mainstreaming, it is shown that a narrow focus on categories without their intersection may give misleading results. Secondly, the pitfalls of a narrow focus on a single section of categories are discussed by means of an example of educational attainment for categories of gender and ancestry. Finally, using the example of a study of the gender pay gap, it is shown how a breakdown of a study in partial analyses may reveal intersectionality. The examples show how interaction and interwoven categories can be included in intercategorical analyses of structural relationships.

Keywords

• Intersectionality
• interaction
• mainstreaming
• gender
• employment
• education and pay