Intersectionality and Structural Inequality

When choosing, better to be kind than right. Sometimes, choice is not that simple, though and having boundaries, setting limits are both necessary and healthy. How the balance is achieved between the two, kindness and rightness, is a lesson in maturity, perhaps. Finding the balance between life, family and friends, work, education or professional development, and pleasure or recreational interests is also a complex, nonlinear equation. To balance any combination of these areas of humanity- even just work and life is a continuous negotiation of limited resources and changing priorities. Social rhetoric such as the popular life quote above and other feel good euphemisms make assumptions; assumptions about equal access, gender equality, and fair wages. Through this writing we unpack a topic often explored during life coaching and social science research: intersectionality.

The definition of intersectionality may help to better frame the connection between balance and boundaries. In mathematics, when presented with a complex problem, the initial step is to define the terms. Likewise, in writing, the introduction above is an invitation to define a term important to this discussion. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary provides that intersectionality is “the complex cumulative manner in which the effects of different forms of discrimination combine overlap, or intersect.” From there, the connection between balance and boundaries may become clearer. When there are underlying social inequalities, common choices become more difficult as disenfranchised individuals make decisions that force them to negotiate life in ways that compromise any semblance of balance in every other area: family and friends, work, education or professional development, and pleasure or recreational interests.

Priorities may be established internally or externally and surely there will be some conflicts. There may be internal conflicts; conflicts rooted in morals, social values, ethics or economics. Some conflicts may be external, especially when other people are involved like aging parents, dependent children, colleagues and supervisors. The aware self may struggle with setting priorities when choices have to be made and limits must be established for ailing pets; whether to repair or replace a vehicle; housing insecurity or homelessness. There may be times when the right thing to do and the kind thing to do is honesty and yet, the truth, even when stated gently, may hurt or be painful to accept. Still, boundaries are a healthy necessity.

To establish and honor upper and lower limits, priorities in emotional cost, financial burden, physical fitness, and psychological wellness is for the sake of self-care and for the care of others. Yet, this negotiation can be compromised when the distribution of wealth, power, and social equity are imbalanced. Such is the nature of intersectionality. For those who are disenfranchised, systemic or structural inequality make the negotiation for balance in areas of human fulfillment a burden.