Othering

Othering Definition

Othering refers to the process of establishing a group or entity as a distinct contrast to the dominant group, often involving a factual distortion of what that group truly is. While related concepts like ‘otherness’ explore relational divides, ‘othering’ specifically denotes the active social construction of difference to serve particular purposes. This process is frequently linked to binary divisions such as ‘us–them’, ‘self–other’, or ‘male–feminine’. It implies that the perceived differences are exaggerated or misrepresented to justify a specific relationship or hierarchy, rather than merely reflecting inherent, real distinctions.

Theoretical Context

The concept draws heavily on existentialist terminology, particularly the idea of ‘the other’, which is used by theorists such as Simone de Beauvoir in her work The Second Sex to articulate the nature of women’s subordination. This framework suggests that identity is often defined in relation to what it is not. In this context, ‘othering’ highlights how dominant groups define themselves by positioning others outside their established boundaries.

Application in Gender

In mainstream Western culture, this dynamic is evident in the construction of gender roles, where women are positioned as ‘the other’ in contrast to men. This construction suggests that ideas about femininity and masculinity have been developed by men as part of their own self-understanding, positioning women as secondary or defined by what men are not.

Critical Implications

The explanatory value of ‘othering’ lies in its implication of distortion. If a binary divide merely identified actual differences, calling this process ‘othering’ would lack significance. The critical importance of the term stems from the assertion that these differences are exaggerated to serve an agenda or purpose held by the agent performing the othering. Examples such as orientalism demonstrate how scholarly practices can involve misrepresenting realities to maintain power structures.