Feminist Theories on Technology

Abstract

This paper looks at the ways in which Feminist thinking combines with cultural theories on
technology. Starting from the viewpoint acording to which thechnology causes cultural and social mutations, we
are looking to outline a working theory regarding the role of technology in creating or modifying gender
identity. From a feminist point of view, the consequences of technology are numeous and, sometimes,
paradoxical: as a product of scientific thinking, technology is often associeated to masculitiny. to that extent,
women were considered technophobes. Still, technology played a decisive role in women emancipation (home
appliances), in enhancing gender differences (plastic surgery), or even in annulling them (hibrid identity in
posthuman theories).