In this reading the authors Patricia Madoo Lengermann and Jill Niebrugge-Brantley both talked about how throughout history women have been “written out” when it comes to their contributions to sociology. The term “written out” does not necessarily mean ignored, but “erased from its records” is a better explanation. In the early studies of sociology women were taken seriously and their work was similar to that of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. Majority of the women were well known public figures, they helped create social theory and they practiced along side of male sociologist during the same time, they were recognized to be significant social analysis, they were active in the sociology community (employment as a sociologist, member of sociological association, publication dealing with sociological principles, self identification as a sociologist and being recognized by contemporaries as a sociologist. Their work was published very often and they all visited the Hull-House. The Hull-House was the working base for many of the women, including Addams. A lot of their research focused on gender, class, race, ethnicity, and/or age. Their work included balanced of theory and research to support their theories. These women were committed to their work and it isn’t fair that all their hard work and time has been “written out” of what we’re taught today.
I believe that these women should continue to get credit for what they contributed to sociology. It’s a shame that they are now not recognized for their work. Sexism is definitely a huge part of these women not receiving the credit that they deserve. Like many things in our society the role of women has been overlooked. It’s easier for the male population to dominate what we learn about in schools because it’s been this way for many years. And just as the saying goes, “if it’s not broken don’t fix it”. People haven’t tried to fix what is taught in schools because what we learn still “works”. Textbooks and curriculums have been molded to teach only of men’s accomplishments (there are a few exceptions, such as Rosa Parks and Anne Frank). I don’t believe that only one particular group should get all the credit when there are obviously more people that have also made important contributions, but I understand that it would be nearly impossible to memorize every single name and what they contributed to sociology.
Sexism will never change in my eyes. The man will always think of a woman as less than him. He may smile in our face and congradulate us on a job well done and he also make go as far as to make it seem like we are higher up than him but it will all be fake. The woman should be recognized in the birth of sociology even if it is just the first few. I agree sexsm is paying a huge part in this and it is wrong.
I also agree that the way in which we are taught most things (from a males perspective) will never change. This is very unfortunate considering all of the significant contibutuions made by women. I also find it interesting that when we are taught of something that a woman contributed to history that it is always pointed out that it was a “woman” who did this. Everything done by men is just considered the norm. I do feel that today women are beginning to get more of the recognition they deserve but society still has a long way to go before we have complete equality.
Hi Melissa, I read your comment and can understand where you are coming from. But, at this stage of the game I feel that women need to forge ahead and leave the past in the past. There is a budist saying ” If you look back you will soon be going there”. I have read a couple of articles by sociologists that suggest women where dominant in ancient cultures. Think of Cleopatra !
1. Women written out of sociologies history stems from the insight that history is a social construction. Sexism is embedded in sociology due to selective construction of its history and the portrayal of women in sociological writing. Women’s oppression arose out of the development of early societies in the same way that classes, states, and private property emerged from those developments.
2. The main idea of women who founded sociology was to practice empiricism; to expose bias and prejudice and argue for equality. These women had a genuine desire to help underprivileged groups within our society. Many of these women were not in favor of quantative research based on the belief that human behavior can not be measured and those who measure it wish to control it. This belief is still very strong among feminist social scientist today.
3. Women being educated about the contributions of generations past will see the social sciences as a way to advance their own causes. Today women are recognized as persons and citizens not just another category of society that needs empowerment. I think of how Florence Nightingale with her bold actions shaped the way the nursing field is today. Although not an American nurse she transformed the British healthcare system. She did this by knowing the value of data and its impact on policy. Unfortunately, she became ill and bed ridden in her later years but still continued to develop the British healthcare policy. Visited by policy makers. She was also known to send flowers to new graduates of nursing school, invited them to her home for afternoon tea and then sent them on difficult assignments that were rarely refused. She was a leader who knew how to obtain support from her followers; she used these skills to change her environment. Today’s women need to know about the world around them in order to proceed with our own program of change.
Erin,
Thanks for educating me more about Florence Nightengale! I think your post is right on. Thanks for the good points.