The absence of gender equity in social discourse: the void where women's voice should be

Abstract

This research will uncover the historical legacy of standpoint theory by exploring the writings of Harriet Martineau and bringing her application forward to Dorothy Smith's definition of the theory. By analyzing the contemporary symbolic modes of discussion in the discourse of sociology, I will show how the feminist methodology of standpoint theory varies in giving legitimacy to women's voice in social academic publication. I will also delve into the work of alternative contemporary standpoint theorists to compare/contrast the epistemological differences between their insights into standpoint theory and Dorothy Smith's. Using standpoint theory, my personal journey toward finding voice and feminist consciousness will inform the narrative. The final application of this research will be to explore the past 45 years of academic discussion: first in the mainstream journal for sociology, Social Forces; and second in the feminist journal, Signs. Through this analysis I will uncover the representation, or lack of, women's voice in dominant academic discussion. The importance of this finding is to uncover the need for understanding of both women and men in academic research, which will lend itself to a more equitable field of study.