Fifty Key Concepts in Gender Studies

About the Book "Fifty Key Concepts in Gender Studies"

  • Authors: Jane Pilcher & Imelda Whelehan
  • Publication Year: 2004
  • Publisher: SAGE Publications (London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi)
  • Series: SAGE Key Concepts series
    • Purpose of Series: To provide students with accessible and authoritative knowledge of essential topics in various disciplines.
    • Features: Cross-referenced, encourages critical evaluation, written by experienced academics, serves as indispensable study aids and guides to comprehension.

Acknowledgements

  • Jane Pilcher's Thanks: University of Leicester colleagues (Julia O’Connell Davidson, Laura Brace, Nirmal Puwar) for their preparation help.
  • Imelda Whelehan's Thanks: David Sadler for support, Eddie May for IT technical support and advice.
  • Mutual Thanks: Chris Rojek and Kay Bridger at SAGE for patience and support.
  • Dedication (JP): To her daughter, Ana.
  • Dedication (IW): For Miriam and Laurence, with love.

Introduction: Everywhere and Somewhere: Gender Studies, Feminist Perspectives and Interdisciplinarity

Development of Gender Studies

  • Relatively Short History: Emergence dated to the late 1960s.
  • Trigger: Second Wave Feminism.
    • Critique of Gender Inequalities: Addressed inequalities in personal relationships and social positioning (economic, political).
    • Critique of Academia: Highlighted how academic disciplines and knowledge systems excluded women's experiences, interests, and identities.
      • Example (Pre-1970s Sociology): Largely ignored gender, studied mainly men, focused on male-significant topics (paid work, politics).
      • Women's Visibility: Almost invisible, only featured in traditional roles (wives, mothers within families).
      • Problem Recognition: Differences and inequalities between women and men not recognized as sociological concerns or problems.
  • Increased Attention to Gender (1970s onwards): Disciplines across social sciences, arts, and humanities began to focus on gender.
    • Sociology (1970s): Women sociologists regarded male/female inequalities as problems to be examined.
      • Initial Focus: "Filling in the gaps" in knowledge about women, addressing male bias.
      • Shift in Focus: Moved to experiences significant to women (paid work, housework, motherhood, male violence).
    • English Literature: Women contested the