Feminist Perspectives on Education and Pedagogy: A Meta-Synthetic Insight into the Thought of Four American Philosophers

Abstract

The present paper reports on the views of four prominent feminist intellectuals and philosophers (Maxine Greene, bell hooks, Christine Sleeter and Patti Lather) and how their ideas, coloured by their lifestyles, experiences, careers and beliefs, impacted the educational field. In common, these feminists championed the universal values of equality, freedom, pluralism using different educational and political stratagems. Together, they mapped new terrains of equity and fairness and anti-racist practices as social and educational practices. A free informed conscientious aesthetic and artistic imagination in addition to a multicultural approach to education are viewed as a salvation act from the taken-for-granted perceptions and routines as well as an emancipation of students’ brains from race, class and gender prejudices. It is concluded that these ideas, if put into practice, are liable to improve education as they pay heed to taking care of marginalized women, enhancing democratic teaching and building a healthy educational climate where both teachers and students are connected to the wider community.