ABSTRACT
The general purpose of this chapter is to provide a feminist perspective on and critique of the image of women as traditionally analyzed by economists. In the process of accomplishing this task, an attempt will be made to illustrate the extent to which the analytical and methodological framework used by economists has been influenced by the male-dominated profession and society within which they operate,1 and to consider what effect the use of this framework has on the perception of the economic role of women,
This type of critical analysis requires a clear statement of the essential elements of a feminist perspective, both in general terms and as it relates particularly to the discipline of economics. A consideration of these elements, along with an analysis of some of the past and present difficulties associated with implementing this perspective in economic analysis, will be the focus of the remainder of this introductory section.
