Feminist Methodology

(Relevant for Sociology Optional for Civil Services Examination)

Introduction 

Feminist methods in critical research are arguably the most evolved. Numerous attempts have been made to craft feminist modes of conducting or approaching research, with three particular methods having substantial influence:

1. The critique of ‘malestream’ research. This entails a criticism of previous, predominantly male, mainstream research. Often called ‘malestream’ research by feminists, it is faulted for being founded on sexist or patriarchal values.
2. The assertion that distinct feminist research methodologies exist. This viewpoint contends that the more traditional ‘scientific’ methodologies employed by men are not notably effective in aiding the researcher in comprehending social reality – specifically, although not solely, the reality of women.
3. The assertion that feminism can uncover a unique epistemology or knowledge theory, which is superior to other epistemologies. Feminists across different viewpoints have leveled several critiques at sociology, mainly rooted in the belief that:

• Sociology has predominantly focused on research about men, thereby dealing with theories and notions that pertain chiefly to the lives of men;
• Research outcomes derived from all-male samples are extrapolated to the entire population;
• Subjects and concerns pertinent to women are often neglected or dismissed as trivial;
• When women are included in research, they are frequently portrayed in a skewed and stereotypical manner;
• The inclusion of sex and gender in research is often superficial, disregarding the extent to which the explanatory theories utilized have sanctioned the subjugation and exploitation of women. Examples to underline these assertions:
• Carol Smart (1976) observed that until the late 1970s, the sociology of crime and deviance was almost solely the sociology of male crime and misconduct. Research by figures like Merton, Cohen, Miller, and Cloward and Ohlin mostly disregarded women, yet presumed that they related to all criminals, not merely male criminals.
• Ann Oakley (1974) emphasizes that housework was considered too trivial to be investigated by social scientists until her innovative studies.
• Michelle Stanworth (1984) takes issue with John Goldthorpe’s class categorization for typically associating wives with classes based on their husband’s profession.
• Male social scientists, such as Talcott Parsons, stand accused of providing sexist, biologically grounded interpretations of female behavior.

Evaluation

These kinds of objections to ‘malestream’ sociology have become significantly influential and broadly accepted. There has been a surge in sociological studies on women, studies on subjects vital to women, and studies exploring female viewpoints on social existence.

Sociologists are now much less likely to make sweeping generalizations about both sexes based on male samples. The sociological exploration of women, led by women and intended for women, has become more prevalent. Sexist terminology in sociology has also become far less prevalent.

For instance, the British Sociological Association’s Ethical Guidelines affirm that sexist language is improper, and it is prohibited in the organization’s journal Sociology (as noted in the ‘Notes for contributors’ in any edition of the journal).

Conclusion

While the issues with ‘malestream’ sociology have certainly not been eradicated, they have been considerably lessened, and the propositions made for non-sexist sociology have become relatively undisputed. Other feminist angles on research methods, however, remain highly contentious.

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Explore Sociology Optional Syllabus

Paper-1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIOLOGY

1. Sociology – The Discipline
   1. Modernity and social changes in Europe and emergence of sociology.
   2. Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences.
   3. Sociology and common sense.
2. Sociology as Science:
   1. Science, scientific method and critique.
   2. Major theoretical strands of research methodology.
   3. Positivism and its critique.
   4. Fact value and objectivity.
   5. Non- positivist methodologies.
3. Research Methods and Analysis:
   1. Qualitative and quantitative methods.
   2. Techniques of data collection.
   3. Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability and validity.
4. Sociological Thinkers:
   1. Karl Marx- Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, class struggle.
   2. Emile Durkheim- Division of labour, social fact, suicide, religion and society.
   3. Max Weber- Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.
   4. Talcott Parsons- Social system, pattern variables.
   5. Robert K. Merton- Latent and manifest functions, conformity and deviance, reference groups.
   6. Mead – Self and identity.
5. Stratification and Mobility:
   1. Concepts- equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty and deprivation.
   2. Theories of social stratification- Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian theory.
   3. Dimensions – Social stratification of class, status groups, gender, ethnicity and race.
   4. Social mobility- open and closed systems, types of mobility, sources and causes of mobility.
6. Works andEconomic Life:
   1. Social organization of work in different types of society- slave society, feudal society, industrial /capitalist society
   2. Formal and informal organization of work.
   3. Labour and society.
7. Politics and Society:
   1. Sociological theories of power.
   2. Power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups, and political parties.
   3. Nation, state, citizenship, democracy, civil society, ideology.
   4. Protest, agitation, social movements, collective action, revolution.
8. Religion and Society:
   1. Sociological theories of religion.
   2. Types of religious practices: animism, monism, pluralism, sects, cults.
   3. Religion in modern society: religion and science, secularization, religious revivalism, fundamentalism.
9. Systems of Kinship:
   1. Family, household, marriage.
   2. Types and forms of family.
   3. Lineage and descent.
   4. Patriarchy and sexual division of labour.
   5. Contemporary trends.
10. Social Change in Modern Society:
    1. Sociological theories of social change.
    2. Development and dependency.
    3. Agents of social change.
    4. Education and social change.
    5. Science, technology and social change.

Paper-2

INDIAN SOCIETY: STRUCTURE AND CHANGE

INTRODUCING INDIAN SOCIETY

1. Perspectives on the study of Indian society:
   1. Indology (GS. Ghurye).
   2. Structural functionalism (M N Srinivas).
   3. Marxist sociology (A R Desai).
2. Impact of colonial rule on Indian society :
   1. Social background of Indian nationalism.
   2. Modernization of Indian tradition.
   3. Protests and movements during the colonial period.
   4. Social reforms.

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

• Perspectives on the study of Indian society:
  1. The idea of Indian village and village studies.
  2. Agrarian social structure – evolution of land tenure system, land reforms.
• Caste System:
  1. Perspectives on the study of caste systems: GS Ghurye, M N Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille.
  2. Features of caste system.
  3. Untouchability – forms and perspectives.
• Tribal communities in India
  1. Definitional problems.
  2. Geographical spread.
  3. Colonial policies and tribes.
  4. Issues of integration and autonomy.
• Social Classes in India:

1. 1. Agrarian class structure.

• • • Industrial class structure.
    • Middle classes in India.
• Systems of Kinship in India:
  1. Lineage and descent in India.
  2. Types of kinship systems.
  3. Family and marriage in India.
  4. Household dimensions of the family.
  5. Patriarchy, entitlements and sexual division of labour
• Religion and Society:
  1. Religious communities in India.
  2. Problems of religious minorities.
  3. Patriarchy, entitlements and sexual division of labour

SOCIAL CHANGES IN INDIA

1. Visions of Social Change in India:
   • Idea of development planning and mixed economy
   • Constitution, law and social change.
   • Education and social change.
2. Rural and Agrarian transformation in India:
   • Programmes of rural development, Community Development Programme, cooperatives,poverty alleviation schemes
   • Green revolution and social change.
   • Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture.
   • Problems of rural labour, bondage, migration.

3. Industrialization and Urbanisation in India:

• • Evolution of modern industry in India.
  • Growth of urban settlements in India.
  • Working class: structure, growth, class mobilization.
  • Informal sector, child labour
  • Slums and deprivation in urban areas.

4. Politics and Society:

• • Nation, democracy and citizenship.
  • Political parties, pressure groups , social and political elite
  • Regionalism and decentralization of power.
  • Secularization

5. Social Movements in Modern India:

• • Peasants and farmers movements.
  • Women’s movement.
  • Backward classes & Dalit movement.
  • Environmental movements.
  • Ethnicity and Identity movements.

6. Population Dynamics:

• • Population size, growth, composition and distribution
  • Components of population growth: birth, death, migration.
  • Population policy and family planning.
  • Emerging issues: ageing, sex ratios, child and infant mortality, reproductive health.

7. Challenges of Social Transformation:

• • Crisis of development: displacement, environmental problems and sustainability
  • Poverty, deprivation and inequalities.
  • Violence against women.
  • Caste conflicts.
  • Ethnic conflicts, communalism, religious revivalism.
  • Illiteracy and disparities in education.

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