FOUNDATIONALISM OF SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIONISM: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Abstract

This paper presents a critical review of two research papers related to the social construction of gender and sexuality. It is argued that social constructionist approaches and their theorization of gender are untenable and contradictory with its relation to biological foundationalism. Introduction of gender as an analytical category is quite problematic in theory and practice. Gender category complicates the theory rather than clarifying it. A straightforward definition of gender will not solve the theoretical problems as well as practical implications. Social constructionist approach presumes reality as constructed, but this construction does not occur in a vacuum. Every construction is based on some concrete foundation. Without foundation, construction becomes impossible. A social constructionist approach to reality neglects this very fact. It criticizes foundationalism, but then itself is entangled in it.