Intersectionality as the “New” Critical Approach in Feminist Family Studies: Evolving Racial/Ethnic Feminisms and Critical Race Theories

This article presents one of the first comprehensive reviews of intersectionality literature for a family studies audience. The purpose of this article is manifold: (1) to review the interdisciplinary scholarship on intersectionality as a theoretical approach, paradigm, or method; (2) to review methodological considerations using intersectionality as a theoretical guide to conduct research; and (3) to examine how contemporary family scholars are utilizing an intersectional approach to examine the complexities of identity, relational process, and social interactions with larger institutional forces. I conclude with an evaluation of the benefits and challenges of using an intersectional approach to the study of contemporary families.