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Sociology Department, Faculty Publications
Sociology, Department of
1988
Empowering a Feminist Ethic For Social Science
Research: Nebraska Sociological Feminist
Collective
Beth Hartung
California State University - Fresno
Jane C. Ollenburger
University of Minnesota - Duluth
Helen A. Moore
University of Nebraska - Lincoln, [email protected]
Mary Jo Deegan
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
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Hartung, Beth; Ollenburger, Jane C.; Moore, Helen A.; and Deegan, Mary Jo, "Empowering a Feminist Ethic For Social Science
Research: Nebraska Sociological Feminist Collective" (1988). Sociology Department, Faculty Publications. Paper 119.
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/sociologyfacpub/119
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Nebraska - Lincoln.
Empowering a Feminist Ethic For Social
Science Research: Nebraska Sociological
Feminist Collective
Beth Hartung, Jane
c.
Ollenburger,
Helen A. Moore and Mary Jo Deegan.
An
ethic defines the general
rules
and
of
the
morals.
standards governing the conduct and choices of
individuals as
well
as
of a profession
(Q~_~~~§
A feminist ethic for
social
members
1971).
science
nature
research specifically orders these general issues
to recognize and account for wimmin's continued oppression
within
patriarchal
a
disciplines.
A
social
sy stem
oppression as a major contradiction
and
social
structure.
and sociology
the
academic
of our research. work
Within social sciences generally.
specifically.
underlying
and
feminist ethic identifies this continued
little
patriarchal
ethic
att.ention is paid to
which informs theory.
method and substantive issues.
We
preface
assumptions
and study.
this collection with a definition of the
that underlie a feminist ethic
by.
and abused
in
research
Our discussion amplifies four key issues:
the objectification of wimmin as
research
for
for.
in
areas
are
them.
(3)
objects;
(2)
language as used
sociology; and (4) the gatekeeping process
employment,
among
research
and about wimmin;
(1)
funding and research.
inseparable.
In reality.
these
This book reflects the overlap
enhancing its continuity and
comprehensive-
ness.
*
Some
portions
of
this
paper are
derived
from "A
feminist
ethic
for
social
science
research," Women's
S t~_'!!.~.2__ !.!!!~_~I2.E1!L~ ~a LX~~!:!.!!!. V 01. 6 (1 9 83 ): 535 - 543 :-------
Published in A FEMINIST ETHIC FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
by Nebraska Sociological Feminist Collective (Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen, 1988), pp. 1-22.
Copyright 1988 The Edwin Mellen Press.
---------------------------2-------------------------Feminist
traditional
scholarship
social
is
science.
cross-purposes
at
with
This observation is neither
surprising nor profound. but it is the basis for a complex
set of
problems
social
sciences.
academic
which
need continual re-analysis in the
The authors in this book
are
mostly
sociologists and psychologists who examine their
disciplines
to
illustrate historically-situated problems
of patriarchal
ethical
bias
agenda
throughout
and plausible ethical responses.
is
the
introduced
readings
author/researcher also
here
and
which
provides
An
elaborated
follow.
Each
a reflexive statement of
political and ideological commitment to her topic.
In
our
this
own
introductory
discipline.
which follow.
made public
and
essay. we focus on sociology.
to frame and introduce the articles
Sociology is particularly
claims
oppressed
culpable. having
to address the problems of minorities
people.
During
the
past
two
decades,
sociologists have generated significant discussions of the
politics
and
ethics
of doing research on sex.
class and
race (Rainwater and Yancey. 1967; Gornick and Moran. 1971;
Ladner. 1973;
Acker.
1973;
However.
recent
publication of the revised Code
Ethics
the
of
the
Fo~~noj_~.
and
Sociological
April. 1982) does not reflect
substance of
effort
American
Millman
"to
these
arguments.
sensitize
Kanter. 1975).
Association
the power or the
This revised code was an
all sociologists
to
the
ethical
issues that may arise in their work" and to examine
principles which
"may
of
(~SA
occasionally
conflict
with
those
more
general ethical concerns."
For
scientific
those
feminist
framework.
scholars
trained in the social
which is historically bounded by a
/
-------------3------------patriarchal
academy,
the conflicts presented by
the
agenda are personal and political, public and private.
academic feminist
is
indeed
a
Academia
1979; Leffler et a1.. 1973).
scientific
status
is
liberalism.
contrast,
feminism
e.g.,
is
revised
by
subversive
fundamentally
are outsiders,
the
In
and
c1a~
discipline.
As
marked by "otherness" (Westkott,
"From the start.
persons
who are sorted into the
and persons who are sorted into the other
Biven different
enjoy
fed
ethical codes.
speaking the language of our particular
!!1!
(Freeman,
As scholars we are marginal insiders at best.
wimmin we
1979).
An
quo with occasional pretensions to the
safety of
critical.
contradiction
ASA
and
treatment,
suffer
are
acquire different experience.
different
1977:303; emphasis added).
expectations"
As feminists.
(Goffman.
we are compelled
to take a critical. activist stance which both encompasses
and transcends sociology.
In the following discussion. we explicitly attack the
traditional
"in
the
canons of sociology.
United
of
the
sociological discipline threaten to narrow our focus.
But
the goal
and
States
and
framework
of
.eans restricted to
~ocio10gy
the United States.
Sociology
i.p1ementing
boundaries
a
and
throughout first.
feminist
draws
the
Our cultural background
bias
the feminist ethic are by no
or sociology as practiced in
is
ethic
upon
cultural
the
only
one
vehicle
for
which crosses discipline
experiences
of
wimmin
second and third world nations.
Our discussion revolves around the pursuit and use of
knowledge.
balance
the
We propose a feminist ethic that
restores the
between the means and ends of research.
raci st.
imperialist.
c1assist.
confronts
ab1e-bodist.
--------------4-------------heterosexist
social
and
science
combats
sexist
assumptions
research
agenda
in
the
not)
and
prevalent
(revi sed
or
patriarchal and masculinist structures inside and
outside the academy.
Rejecting "business as usual" in the
study of wimmin means that data collection for the sake of
knowledge alone
cannot
must be a social.
priority.
be
economic.
tolerated.
The research act
and political act
which.
as a
empowers wimmin outside of the academy.
THE OBJECTIFICATION OF WIMMIN
The
revised ASA code exhorts sociologists to "strive
to maintain objectivity and integrity" and
"th~
highest
possible
The
~~~!E~~
status of
at
the
technical
to
adhere
to
standards in research."
quantitative and technical methods
apex of sociological ethics generates a hierarchy
of acceptance
and
as sumpti ons.
Social science researchers use the rhetoric
of
objectivity
circulation
to
legitimate their vested interests and
contributions to knowledge.
must
demystify
of positivist methods and
A feminist analysis and ethic
objectivity in sociology. which
can
mask
the objectification of wimmin and all minorities.
The definition.
use and rationalization of objectiv-
ity dichotomizes the researcher's view
example.
history
in
(Lerner.
linguistics
(Spender.
research
male
sociology
1979).
(Penelope.
1981b;
obj ect
standard
(Smith.
Lowe
1974a;
anthropology
1978).
and
of the world.
1985).
(J;16cum.
1980).
and other social sciences
Hubbard.
1983).
represents either a deviation
(norm).
or
male-biased research paradigm.
known becomes ever more rigid
For
Reinharz.
she
is
subsumed
womon
as
from
the
by
t.he
The gap between knower and
in the pursuit of objectiv-
---------------------------5
i ty;
the
sci enti st
Wimmin
lives.
implicitly
becomes
(as
expert
researchers
in knowing wimmin's
and
are
subjects)
as
removed from active roles in the traditionally
male spheres of analysis and technical research.
As
research
subjects.
research
(and often unnamed)
helpful
spouses in
manuscript acknowledgements.
manipulated
or
as
recognized
source
the
rational
1980).
(Goldsmith.
wimmin's
made invisible.
legitimate
of
assistants.
The
dissertation
and
contributions
are
male
is
socially
manipulator of data and the
resources.
This
or as
skills
and
funding
research bias excludes wimmin
from revising oppressive and distorting methodologies.
The
lack
(wimmin.
of
research
minorities.
lesbians and
gays)
the
until
and
by
about
the
two decades leaves us
1as~
subdisciplines
(e.g •• Daniels.
and
oral
"more
1975;
folk
discredited
as
puerile
of
than
intentional" is
Roberts.
bases.
researchers
must
wimmin's
1981
groups.
In
a. b) yet the rich
wimmin's
live s
are
Whether these omissions are
more
accidental
(McCormack.
1975).
remove the "people
and
race
disabled.
we lack baseline data
in
prejudicial.
unresolved
acknowledge
the class.
sociology
information
data
these
the
"other"
class.
relatively bereft of information for
many
the
working
male"
voices (Si1vira.
than
Feminist
bias
and
1980) to highlight
other significant differences among
our lives.
The
ethics
diverse
is
volume.
structure
range
of
issues
in feminist research
reflected in the first set of readings in this
Smith persuasively argues in
of
gender
antitheses"
her
that
work "The deep
capitalism
and
--------------------------6
patriarchy form one side of
a
dialectic in opposition to
feminism.
Feminist
speaking in
the social sciences.
tution
for
entitled
antitheses
research."
Smart
research activities.
While
she works to identify
of
way of
of
the
feminist
the personal
the current legal.
prostitutes.
long-term
of
confronting
agenda
on
those who "enforce the
of
commodities.
focuses
acknowledging
economic conditions
ethics.
new
of long and short-term goals
distress of hearing the voices
law."
a
"Researching prostitution: Some problems
feminist
contradictions
require
In her essay on prosti-
social and
She then raises the
women's
bodies
as
She calls for a flexible system of feminist
including
the
study
of powerful
men
and
the
institutions they control.
Bart.
in
her
article
"Lesbian
research
proposes that feminist research stands
world
for
wimmin.
and
that
to
demystify
issues
research
the
being a lesbian researcher
requires more than being a "good" researcher.
on key
ethics."
She focuses
of responsibility to research subjects and
training
within
the
academic
enterprise.
Williams provides a classic statement on the importance of
Black
wimmin
within the social sciences in her essay "On
the ethics of research on the
American women."
by Black wimmin have been
androcentric
and
praxis
public
within
triple
oppression of Black
The range of family and work roles held
distorted
policy
the
by Anglo-centric and
research.
capitalist.
A focus on theory
racist
economy forms the focus of her critique.
and
sexist
------------------------------ 7 ----------------------------RESEARCH BY,
FOR AND ABOUT WIMMIN
and
The issue of power is integral to research
to
key
that
eradicating
processes
of
subjects.
Their critique of
major funding agencies.
researcher
research
the research institution to
and
academic
wimmin
exploited
self-interest?
through
the
revi sed
harassment and
of
To
grounds
extent
enlightened
To what extent does research
on
auspices of traditional institutions
ASA
code
exploitation.
remains
consequences
for
ambiguous
about
despite specific discussions
norms and behaviors regarding
economic
of
question
what
These are questions of ethical conduct.
benefit wimmin?
The
the
on
1985).
the
Critiquing sociology as practiced begs
wimmin
is unheard.
p:oject
how we can empower a feminist ethic.
are
the
to
in the grant review
maintain a patriarchal enterprise (Reinharz.
of
disci pli ni ng
left
research assistants and
nor
institutions.
the ethics or process of a
enabling the
activities is
process,
participate in the human subjects review
not
within
activities
research~
accusi ng.
defining.
for
anti-womon
Research
powerless.
"others" do
various oppressions inherent in
Through the patriarchal
the responsibility
and
the
confronting
agenda.
is a
sexual
abuse
(Evans.
victims
and
1978).
its
This
exploitation must be tied explicitly to the oppressions of
sex.
code
clas s.
race.
defaults
accusa ti ons
ethic
sexual
responsibility
and
redress
acknowledges
breaking down
academy.
preference
the
to
these
age.
for
the
and rank.
these
powerless.
oppressions
The ASA
definitions.
A feminist
by analyzing
and
sex and rank groupings within the
This is particularly
true for graduate students
---------------------------8 -------------------------and
non-tenured
faculty
whose
work
is
often
misappropriated or maligned as non-academic.
In addi ti on.
the contributions of "others" in the office.
in the field.
and as
informants
must
be validated.
fairly
compensated
and publicly acknowledged.
According
to
the
ASA code. we "must not
guarantees to subjects.
and
ability
to
guarantees
any
• unless there is full intention
honor
such commitments."
ethic. we must not undertake research
can make
make
to
our
In a feminist
until and unless we
informants.
advocacy research has been relegated
to
In the past.
the sidelines as
"non-academic" and the ties between theory and praxis have
been
denied.
Feminist scholars often lose professional
legitimation for
ments
to
wimmin
their
and
research when they return investcontribute
significant social
to
change.
The
research
of
male
academicians/technicians
wimmin
is often an invasion of
sexual
objectification
of
sciences is a clear example
research
in
wimmin's
wimmin
of
the
privacy.
in
the
on
The
be hav ioral
outcome of cross-sex
which a feminist ethic is not employed.
We
encourage wimmin in the social sciences to recognize their
own "insider" roles.
in a
talents and perceptions and to engage
research dialogue that empowers all wimmin.
acknowledge
participation
the
advantages
in sexual.
and
We must
responsibilities of our
familial.
academic and political
relations which inform our ideas.
In the second set of readings.
specific and
research
general
process.
maps
for
we
are provided both
feminist
When examining
the
ethics
in the
interaction
of
---------------------------9 ------~------------------violence
and
sexism
the research
in rape. Bristow and Esper approach
process
with
a heightened consciousness of
oppression in "A feminist research ethos."
the
They
contrast
"interrogation" of "respondents" with a true dialogue
that regards research participants as experts on their own
experiences.
These dialogues are extended to the internal
dialogue
the
of
d.ia1ogues
with
researcher
SOCiety
(critical
awareness)
(reporting).
In
her
"Research as critical reflection: A
Study
and
Malhotra
communicative
competency."
symbolic interaction.
phenomenology.
of
and
article
time.
self
integrates
and critical theory
to define research as a critically reflective process.
By
incorporating
participants
process.
line between "researcher" and "participant"
was
the
continually erased.
methodological
in each stage of the research
By reviewing
approaches
to
and
alleviate
using
mu1ti-
repressive
esp10itive aspects of research about oppressed groups.
and
the
ama11 groups empowered themselves in their everyday lives.
Shapiro and Reed turn their
ev,a1uating
feminist
·eva1uation:
Meeting
~o~jective
techniques
feminist
·c.ol1eague and
of
activities
the
consultant.
to
"Illuminative
needs
of
feminist
they combine qualitative
and
discuss
evaluator
staff input
to the practice of
in
special
In their model.
projects."
1uantitative
role
attention
in
Their
the
the
and
stance of the
her roles
as
cri ti c.
analysis includes the
research
proce ss
and
its
wherein
the
benefits.
FEMIN ISM,
Language
is
patriarchal
values
discipline
come
critical
a
and
to
LANGUAGE AN D IDEAS
dimension
prejudices
light.
embodied
Offensive
in
language
the
goes
----------------------------10 ---------------------------hand-in-hand
with
oppresive
research
and
theory.
Sociological language reflects the patriarchal features of
language in general.
as well as
ethical problems.
The
generic use of "man." "mankind."
and "he" as well as
the
spelling
creating
its
own uniq ue
of "woman" and "women"
illustrate the historical trend of men to aggrandize their
own sex (Penelope. 1978).
demonstrates
the
Even when sociological research
effects
of
language on consciousness.
these efforts are ignored or labeled "trivial".
Schneider
and Hacker (1973) tested the hypothesis that "generic" man
is generally
understood to include wimmin. but found that
the concept "man" clearly meant male individuals.
Sociologists
consistently
use
the passive voice in
writing and reporting research and theory.
removes
the self from the report.
objectivity.
Thus
The researcher
creating an illusion of
it appears that
"institutions
act"
instead of sociologists interpreting actions conducted in.
and
enforced
by.
institutions.
abdicate
responsibility
concerns
of
research
for
The
researcher
the ethical
subjects.
and
can
political
The passive voice also
invokes the ambigious "they" or the unnamed "expert."
Thus.
wimmin
in
are
sociology
symbolically
represented or absent;
(3)
1978;
selection of
from
family
annihilated.
I.e..
(1)
1980) •
Stimpson.
sociological
sex
role
social stratification.
under-
(2) trivialized and victimized; or
the research agenda or
or
other academic disciplines.
to "hearth and home" (Tuchman.
delegated
Benet.
and
Through
questions.
confined
Daniels and
the
narrow
wimmin are omitted
to
the
development.
Wimmin's
productive
home labor.
areas
of
position in
racial and
-------------------------Tf-------------------------ethnic
groups.
etc .• has historically been subsumed under
their family status (I.e ••
The
use
of
the husband's status).
oppressive
language
and
ideas
has
important implications for the theoretical development
sociology as
well
as
for
6e~ived from
sociological research.
values
wimmin
for
obj ective
through
science.
By
wimmin.
By defining norms and
the
sociology
inhibiting
oppression(s).
authority
sociologists.
color
For
explained Black
domineering
to
the
understanding
of
our
this oppression is especially severe for
Wimmin- of
i
granted
supports the oppression of
wimmin who are multiply oppressed (Deegan.
pathological
of
the public policies which are
are consistently misrepresented by
example.
economic
family
1985).
the 1965
problems
structure
Moynihan
as a consequence of a
with absent
fathers
(Moynihan. 1965; 1968).
mothers
report
and
By virtue of
"strong matriarchal drive". Black wimmin were accused by
wbite sociologists
and
Yancey.
critique
the
of
"castrating"
1967).
Wallace
sociological
Black men (Rainwater
(1978)
myth
of
(1981)
and Hooks
the
Black womon as
-"castrator" and "matriarch" both for its normative distortions
and its significant negative effect
political movement
in
the
United
notes that white male researchers
men's sense of patriarchy.
~ank
have
on
the
Black
Wallace also
appealed to Black
thereby forcing Black wimmin to
their oppressions.
Lesbians
theory of
(male)
and
States.
are
also
sociology
homosexuality
and
oppressed
by
the
language and
are subsumed under the topic of
in the area of deviance.
Lesbians
gays are classified as deviants from the heterosexual
---------------------------12
norm
and
contact
stigma" (Kirby
with them leads
and
Corzine.
to
1981).
heterosexist
and
"contagion
The
language used to study homosexuality
homophobic.
a
sociological
implicitly takes the
masculinist
perspective.
omitting lesbians from discussions of family.
and politics.
"other"
By
and
focusing
on
the
=
by using the "people
sociologist
perpetuates
of
reproduction
research
male"
subject as
paradigm.
the
his/her ethical distance and can
ignore the lived consequences of research
for
wimmin and
minorities.
Sociology as
concern
for
revolutionary
"Prescribed
Penelope
and
a
discipline
positivist
or
socially
passivity:
(Stanley)
"mankind"
power to men.
literature.
document
and
language
formal
what
is
defined
Language shapes
who
are
analysis.
sexism"
In
Julia
structure of thought giving
theory
as
elitist
tendering
these words in advertisements.
The female is the antithesis
so
of
an
than
that "generics" such as "man"
the
of
rather
responsible
The
argues
The use
perpetuates
science.
augment
the spoken word.
of the male in our language.
male
is
defined
positively.
a disturbingly negative reality for those
female.
"semantic space."
reflecting
an
entrenched
patriarchal
Levy then further delineates the gender
bias common to domain assumptions.
language structures and
operationalization in her article entitled "Gender bias as
a threat to construct validity in research design."
reviewing
of
this work.
mainstream
research
disadvantaging males
While
she concludes that the reformulation
or
must
avoid
the
pitfalls
of
introducing "estrocentric" bias.
The social construct of science
is
a
political
process
that employs reductionist models taken from the biological
and natural sciences to legitimate male power.
-------------------------13
In
the
next essay.
"Sociology of medicine for whom?
feminist perspectives in a multi-paradigmatic sociology of
medicine." Clarke
the
pf
identifies
ideas:
has
approach
find
position
implement
ni sm
and
ideas.
social
that
least able to explain
in
as
a particularly
practi ce
In her arti cle "Lesbiani sm.
Whisman
science."
these
problems
uses
feminism
to demonstrate
soci al
are
poli ti cal
theory.
She
often rooted in the
of feminist theorists who may be trained
soci 01 ogy •
feminists.
legitimated.
Critics of positivism.
anti-pornography
.c).ass background
most
themselves
parallel problems in general
concludes
Each
activism.
in terms of the ability to
their
l.esbiani sm and
the
also
is
It
patriarchy.
vulnerable
~ome
is
or women's experiences.
change
well as
and
sets
particular advantages and disadvantages.
positivist
tinanced and enacted.
~nd
naturalism
posi tivism.
perspective
but the
,~emi
the complex practice within
sociology of medicine that reflects three major
The
lesbians
competition
or
over
sociologists
definitions
illustrates
by
"what
happens when social theories become ideologies."
GATEKEEPING IN EMPLOYMENT.
PUBLICATION AND RESEARCH
The effects of "objectivity" and lack
.,the powerless
are
further
::".".research funding.
they
.:the most
important
:lIIoney.
Career
access for
compounded in publication and
People who
~eepers;
of
certi fy
others
control access to resources.
resources
are jobs.
are
gate-
In academia.
publications and
advancement is marked by the
successful
,completion of stages guarded by gatekeepers who distribute
these
scarce
Berghe. 1970).
resources
(Caplow and McGee.
To implement a
feminist
1958; Van den
ethic.
feminists
---------------------------14 --------------------------need to
successfully
barriers.
and.
by pa s s
gatekeepers.
most importantly. conceive
to break down
of alternatives
to the present oppressive system of power brokerage.
A
sociologist's
entry into the job market is linked
directly to graduate training and sponsorship.
system
undergirds
institutions
are
the
entire
ranked
A prestige
gatekeeping
according
to
process;
their
value and
achievement of excellence by positivist standards.
to
mentors and institutions (assistantships.
grants.
etc.)
is a key mechanism
omitting wimmin
major
graduate
(Hughes.
in
fell~ships.
gatekeeping.
feminist mentors
Rossi and Calderwood. 1973).
is
By
professional full-time positions in
institutions.
1975;
sponsorship
network.
to
from
Access
called.
Thus a massive.
ap pr opri a tely.
the
are
"old
systemic hierarchy exists
any student's entry into the system.
and ways of doing sociology are
rare
Patriarchal
boy"
prior
and certain ideas
~-P~i2ri
defined
as less
acceptable than others.
That effectiveness
of
the job placement of wimmin
from
elite
institutions
gatekeeping
can be gauged by
scholars.
Wimmin graduates
in sociology experience greater
downward mobility
on the job market than their male peers
(Welch and Lewis.
1980). Part-time and temporary positions
in
soci 01 ogy.
wimmin
are
as elsewhere. are "women's issues" because
over-represented
in these positions (Tuchman
and Tuchman.
1982). The temporary or
confined to
piece-work teaching. which restricts research
and job security.
i nsti t uti onal
With
support
professional
needs.
publication
is
heavier
for
teaching
travel.
productivity
difficult.
part-time scholar is
loads and less
and other
research.
in
terms
Hierarchical
of
written
control
is
---------------------------15 --------------------------maintained
further
restri ct s
a
in
resources
symbol sand
outside the
sy stem
self-perpetuating
of
outside.
remain
system that
prestige.
Those
those inside tend to
to narrowly defined academic
remain inside if they adhere
norms.
Feminism is a key way of thinking about research that
is
suppressed within this structure.
and continually held
Freeman succinctly summarizes the barriers
outside of it.
that confront wimmin who achieve academically:
Research on women.
male colleagues.
worse faddish.
for example. is rarely read by
and is largely considered to be at
and at best narrow.
Even if one has
written twenty papers on extremely diverse aspects of
woman's existence. it is still considered to be in
the same subfield and hardly comparable to five good
papers on voting statistics or Melville's novels
(Freeman.
Students
and/or
patriarchal
II
no t
1979:29).
faculty
structures
sociologists"
how
understand
Academi cs view
weakness
in
a
who
the
ideological
are seen as "not very bright"
because
"val ue
criticisms
the
question
"other"
they
free"
of
the
do
not
appear
profession
sy stem
student/faculty.
or
to
operates.
as
si gns
rather
of
than
legitimate critiques.
Journal
policies operate with similar rhetoric about
supposedly apolitical.
objective standards of excellence.
A major mechanism to ensure this egalitarian claim
democratic
peer review.
recognized
leaders
is the
Referees are selected from among
in the field.
interested
readers
or
---------------------------16 --------------------------recommended names
that gain the attention and approval of
editors and their review boards.
rarely
and
Feminist
referees are
included since those who dominate both numerically
ideologically
are
bitterly
anti-feminist.
feminist
writers
become
not
A
cannot
recognized
feminists.
circular
get
and
often
process operates:
so they do not
published.
reviewers.
are
Feminism is
defined
ideological (as opposed to scientific and objective).
feminist authors
review
by
feminist
are
not
positivist
writings
rej ecti on are
are
seen
"excellent."
peers
not
This
published.
that
Acceptance and
not as
a
reflection
of
(We lapse into the passive voice
invoke the authority of the discipline.)
review process is.
process that
guarantees
reside in the canons of knowledge
to
discriminatory treatment.
deliberately
The democratic
virtually
and the judgment of one's peers.
to
as
thus
after all.
the
same
evaluation
Some researchers are viewed
others undergo.
as successful and feminists are
not.
Dissenting voices
are stilled.
Similarly.
obtain
the
research
conflicts
interviewers.
is
money
with
the
reason
basic
that
patriarchal
assistants.
that feminists cannot
the
feminist
agenda
Computers.
sy stem.
and other research resources are
outside the pocketbook range of all social scientists. but
feminists bear the brunt of this discrimination.
conflicts
Wimmin's
are evidenced in a widening range of government
funding policies.
biased payment
disabled wimmin:
Kutza thoroughly documents
structure of U.
the gender-
S. government benefits for
---------------------------17 --------------------------Marginal improvements in program specifics will not
solve what is a continuing problem for women -
the
strong relationship between program benefit
entitlement and labor force participation.
As long
as the major (and most generous) disability
protection programs are premised upon a model of
life-long.
full-time employment outside the home.
with disability being explicitly defined in a
work-related context. women will continue to be
disadvantaged" (Kutza.
1981: 315).
The government will not pay researchers to tell it to
spend more money on wimmin or.
Research
programs
support
and
we
if needed.
often comes from
must
femini st
these efforts.
enlarge
will
deliberately
ignored or reinforced by mainstream academic
In
a
be
action
Wimmin's
inequalities
research.
otherwise
less on men.
systematically
capitalist society.
funds are denied to researchers who
the final
set
Sociology:
feminist
yet the
efforts
work.
creative
disciplinary
ebntrast. many
posture
feminist
within
possibility
and
feminist
to
created
research.
enlarge
sociologists
discourse.
non-reciprocity"
that
sociology have been suppressed.
sociological
Cook
In
Feminists have vigorously participated
lines
sister's gatekeeper?
wimmin.
remains for compatible and mututa11y
their
have
barriers to
conclusions.
hierarchy."
public and private
empower
Stewart argues in "Feminism and
An unfortunate case of
reinforcing
in
of papers.
and
often
crossing
analyses.
In
maintained a defensive
the
incorporation
of
In their article entitled "Am I my
Cautionary
and
we
Fonow
must
tales
argue
from the academic
that
stimulate
to
safeguard
and protect its
----------------------------18 ---------------------------production by critically analyzing the process of feminist
scholarship.
While
patriarchal authority
against
the
highlighting
and
arbitrary
the
scienti sm.
and
structure
they
of
also caution
unpredictable
nature
of
gatekeeping.
CONCLUSION S
feminist
A
sociological
ethic
ethi c
Traditional
in
social
from
differs
several
scienti sts
the
traditional
fundamental
seek
knowledge
ways.
for
the
advancement and enlightenment of the discipline itself; in
contrast.
wimmin
feminists
and
analyze social oppression to empower
minorities.
accountable
only
The traditional
to
scientist
profession.
the
The
sociologist is also accountable to her peers.
movement.
In
a feminist ethic. wimmin.
this
assumptions
United
introduction.
prevalent
States.
in
we
femini st
the wimmin's
and oppressed peoples.
framed
sociology
Established
ethics
biases
key
and
as practiced in the
conti nue
to
uphold
objectivity as the pinnacle of sociological research.
thi s
an
end.
practi ce
is
artificial
interviewers. wives.
unimportant
research
and
wimmin.
primarily
male
in
researchers.
to
a
husband
feminist work
The
of
wimmin
biases and lack of
language
oppressi on.
myths about wimmin.
gatekeeping process.
theory and
secretaries.
studies
sociological
thei r
re 1a ti on
by
resources.
Likewise.
perpetuates harmful
the
generated
trivia1izes
as
To
graduate students is defined as
thus exploitable by
reflect
reflexiveness.
between
Wimmin's work
and
conclusions
continue to
dichotomy
maintained.
is
and
omits
defines
family.
them
and
Finally. through
is
kept
out
of
------------------------~19
---------------------------
publication
circulation.
that
and
the
widespread
patriarchal
sociological
The result is
method
continues
unchallenged for the most part.
There
do
put
are several levels on which feminists can
a feminist ethic into practice.
barriers.
feminist
sociologists
between co-optation
and
can
expulsion
walk a
thin
line
from the field.
Many
feminists are politically active outside
working
for
scenes.
long-term
Practicing
changes.
feminist
the
discipline.
Others work behind the
ethics
inside the academy
will not provide prestige or advancement in the field.
make
in
myriad small compromises to gain and hold
sociology.
positions;
Our
danger
we must analyze and
patriarchal structure
of
lies
in
challenge
those positions.
lies in working for significant
and
Despite existing
our
We
positions
privileged
the underlying
Our challenge
change inside and outside
the academy even as we are a part of it.
EMPOWERING A FEMIN 1ST ETHIC
The following are suggestions/challenges to all who labor
in the discipline:
End the O~~_c:...!..i fi_~ti~I!L~J_oi!.!I_tj._~E-..£..L~im~:!:.!L}_n
~!!!Sl!:
Learn.
accept and use qualitative.
historical and
other methodologies which highlight wimmin's
oppressions.
Learn.
critique and use research techniques withheld
from wimmin in the past.
---------------------------w --------------------------Institutionalize reflexiveness.
self-criticism and
accountability in the research process.
Stress theoretical development as well as
methodological efficiency.
Conduct liberating research which enables wimmin to
speak about their own lives. e.g. publish the words
of housewives.
third world wimmin.
lesbians. etc.
Specify the conditions of wimmin in all areas of
sociological specialization (medicine. law.
theory.
race and ethnicity). not merely in marriage and
family or sex roles.
Rotate the manual/theoretical work or incorporate it
into one process rather than falsely dichotomizing
work.
Acknowledge/recognize the importance of coding.
interviewing. and similar activities.
giving credit
where it is appropriate.
Recognize the importance of teaching as a dialogue
That empowers students.
and expands our own
understanding. even though few rewards are offered by
the discipline.
---------------------------21
Critique patriarchal language.
theory and concepts.
Use language that is non-exclusive. accessible and
de-my sti fi ed.
Eliminate English chauvinism by incorporating
bilingualism in journals. abstracts. course syllabi.
and so forth.
Stress the active voice instead of the psssive voice.
Bypass
Gateke~rs
and
Cre~~~_~~~__Form~_of-ye~i~is!
Cri ti ci sm:
Improve access to sociological/feminist conferences
through sliding fees.
accessible language.
recruitment of community participants.
Improve access to journals in the same manner:
recruit non-academic research reviews. especially by
groups who are "objects" of research; generate
cross-disciplinary feminist reviews.
Empower feminist ethics and feminist accountability
in the development of feminist journals; create
shared decision-making processes which involve boards
and editors with more input from readers and the
general public; change standards of excellence to
include controversy. the goal of liberation and the
importance of practice/reinvestment of research;
--------------------------22-------------------------change reward structures to emphasize public
recognition of feminist accomplishments;
institutionalize the rotation of
even feminist gatekeeping positions.
Support feminists in the discipline(s) by passing on
knowledge,
rather than withholding and creating a new
scarce resource.
Create inclusive feminist support/study groups.
Become feminist mentors who open the field to new
scholarship and new politics and new methods to
empower all wimmin.
Generate alternate forms of professional recognition.
scholarship and evaluation
These
guidelines
sciences are
not
for
a
a
feminist
ethic
in
the social
completed mandate. but a responsible
attempt to formulate rules for moral action.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We wish
to
thank Julia Penelope. Cynthia Trainor.
Judy
McCubbin.
Sharon
Selvage and
Carole Kokes
for
their
encouragement
and
support.
We also
note
that
the
Collective typed and edited the entire final manuscript to
reduce publication costs to our readers.