This sort of study always causes anxiety among feminists, who fear it will be used to provide scientific cover for sexism.

There is considerable debate over the future status of domestic partnerships in South Africa, particularly among feminists.

Evolutionary psychology has long had a bad press among feminists for its tendency to justify unacceptable male behavior.

And this has caused a bitter polarization among feminists.

This journal provided bases for cultural debate among feminists, and other opinionated groups.

A similar self-examination occurs among feminists on whether women should receive equal treatment with men or need special protection because of biological and cultural differences.

"There's a touchiness among feminists about representing black women as complex," she says.

But the idea has also stirred debate among politicians, feminists, health officials and others on the proper way to go about it.

Ms. Ireland's remarks represent the first crack in that solid wall of support among feminists.

She has a particularly large following among American feminists.