Women, Disabled

Key Ideas

  • Interconnection of Disability and Gender

    • The church's role in interpreting disability in light of women's experiences.

    • The perspective that being a woman may itself be viewed as a form of disability.

    • Common struggles faced by women and people with disabilities, such as societal perceptions and treatment.

  • Feminist and Disability Theology Interactions

    • Importance of feminist theology acknowledging disabilities and their theological implications.

    • Nancy Eiesland and Rosemary Radford Ruether's works highlight how feminism and disability theology can benefit from one another.

    • Suggestion that naming women as disabled opens a better theological anthropology and understanding of identity.

Historical Context

  • Scriptural Basis

    • Traditional views in Jewish and Christian scriptures often equate femininity and disability with sin.

    • Historical interpretations of women and disabled bodies as inferior have been perpetuated by theological writings (e.g., Augustine, Aquinas).

  • Development of Feminist Thought

    • Feminist movements emerge questioning societal norms on abortion and the agency of women with disabilities.

    • Prior discussions about women’s empowerment often overlook intersectional considerations regarding race and disability.

Alternative Perspectives

  • Social Model of Disability

    • Emphasis on how societal structures can disable individuals and how accommodation can minimize barriers.

    • Exploring how different social contexts influence the understanding of what it means to be “disabled.”

  • Eschatological and Liberal Feminism

    • Eschatological feminism emphasizes an original equality of male and female in Christ, transcending bodily constraints.

    • Liberal feminism critiques existing social hierarchies and advocates for equal rights based on shared human traits of reason and morality.

Implications for Theology

  • Identity of Jesus

    • The portrayal of Jesus as a disabled figure challenges Christians to reconsider traditional notions of wholeness and perfection.

    • Jesus’ embodiment encourages individuals to find meaning in their inherent limitations and embraces diversity within the community of faith.

  • Theological Anthropology

    • Understanding ourselves as God’s creatures requires examining our experiences of disability and womanhood through diverse theological lenses.

    • Calls for greater humility in identifying with others’ suffering and recognizing that not all bodies fit conventional norms.

Intersectionality in Feminism and Disability**

  • Cultural Contexts

    • Examination of how different cultural backgrounds shape women's experiences of power and oppression.

    • The challenges that come from feminist teachings on disability leading to misunderstandings about the value of lives considered disabled.

  • Ecumenical and Liturgical Considerations

    • Emphasis on the role of women in the church and the need for a re-evaluation of male-centric liturgical practices.

    • How language and rituals in worship can be inclusive of both feminine and masculine attributes, fostering a broader understanding of humanity in relation to God.