dominées

Dominées is the feminine plural form of the French adjective dominée, used in sociological and feminist discourse to refer to people who are subjected to domination within social relations. In this usage, les dominées designates groups whose positions in society are constrained by power imbalances that may be economic, political, cultural, or relational. The corresponding term for the powerful is les dominants; together they frame analyses of hierarchical structures.

In theoretical practice, the dominée concept is used to study gender relations, class dynamics, racialization, and other axes of power. It highlights that domination is not only a matter of individual acts but of institutions, practices, and norms that reproduce inequality—from wages and labor division to political representation and access to education.

Historical development: The idea has appeared in feminist and critical theories since the mid-20th century as part of broader efforts to describe and challenge oppression. It is often employed alongside other analytical tools, such as patriarchy, intersectionality, and postcolonial critique, to capture how multiple forms of domination intersect.

Critiques: Some scholars argue that labeling groups as dominated risks essentializing individuals or overlooking agency and resistance. Critics advocate intersectional approaches and attention to variations within groups, as well as situational power dynamics that can shift across contexts.

Usage considerations: The term is primarily used in French-language sociology and feminist literature. In translations or cross-cultural contexts, scholars may render it as “the dominated” or “the oppressed,” depending on nuance and the theoretical framework.