Greener Journal of Social Sciences

Greener Journal of  Social Sciences Vol. 2 (2), pp. 050-065, May 2012

  ISSN: 2276-7800 © 2011 GJSS

Research Paper

Feminism and Feminist Scholarship in Academe: Women’s Struggle for Recognition continues in Sociology.

 

Jilly M. Ngwainmbi

 

Department of Sociology, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301.

 

Email: jngwainmbi@uncfsu.edu

Abstract:

This paper focuses on feminism and feminist scholarship as basic frameworks for women’s struggles for recognition in academe in general and in sociology in particular. A distinct contribution of the paper to the current literature is the focus on the theory-perspective distinction in sociology as one of the major focuses of women’s struggle for recognition in academe in general and in sociology in particular. 
After a careful and critical examination of the classical roots, varieties, basic domain assumptions of feminist theory, theoretical and methodological arguments for and against a feminist perspective in sociology, the following conclusions are drawn: 1) feminist theory must be recognized and accepted for its significant contribution to the birth and development of sociology and its major role in helping to broaden the field of sociology and provide a broader and better understanding of society, the individual in society, and various social phenomena; 2) however, there is no sound sociological grounds for the establishment of a separate, distinct feminist perspective in sociology; and 3) it is necessary to clearly separate feminism in its activist form from legitimate feminist scholarship in sociology in order to preserve and maintain the integrity of the discipline as a legitimate science.

Keywords: Feminism, Feminist Scholarship, Feminist Theory, Theory, Theoretical Perspective.

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