Feminist Methodology Flashcards
What is one key element to Feminist Methodology?
Topics researched = most topics are researched by male sociologists, focused on male interests = female crime largely ignored, not seen as violent = malestream sociology.
Need to look at different topics that concern women like DV, the glass ceiling, etc.
What is the second key element to Feminist methodology?
Purpose of research = feminists are open about the fact that the purpose of feminist research is to improve the position of women in society, to understand female oppression and to use methods which empower women, like structured interviews.
For women to be truly represented, we need to change the way we research.
What did Oakley theorise?
In traditional interviewing, there was a masculine approach, where interviews were objective/detached, interviewers were expected to be passive, and the interviewer doesn’t exchange information (a one-way process).
Interviews should be able to build rapport with the interviewee through long, structured interviews, a discussion with equal power, carrying it out in a relaxed environment, having empathy, etc.
Need to facilitate trust to improve the validity of the research.
Evaluation of Feminist Methodology:
- Doesn’t adequately address private issues such as childcare/poverty.
- Men can also experience domestic violence, sexual assault, genital mutilation, etc = dismissing their struggles.
