ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on theories that account for gender differences and the continuing prevalence of notions of biological determinism that affect children's experiences and early socialisation in the family. As the social, economic and political world has had a major impact on the position of women, so new feminist theoretical positions have emerged. Familiar concepts such as socialisation, gender roles, masculinity and femininity have been remodelled within evolving discourses to include the intersectionality of gender, class and ethnicity and diverse sexualities. Feminists have developed their understandings of power relations and gender identity over the years as they have responded to opportunities to argue for change and make visible the gender inequalities in society. The emergence of the notion of intersectionality has been crucial in recognising the diversity of experiences of women across class, gender and ethnic groups that has led to a rejection of simple male/female binary notions of gender and sexuality.
