Why have women been written out of sociology history?

Answer 1

Human history has been driven by the systematic oppression of women and the dominance by men within most societies and cultures. That reality has affected women all over the world and continues to affect women even today in the Western World where women have purportedly achieved equality. Throughout history the intellectual contributions of women have been ignored, or, in many cases, stolen by men who received the credit for their work.

There has been blatant sexism within the study of sociology itself. Men excluded their female colleagues from meaningful participation in early sociological societies. Early twentieth century sociological "experts" such as Albion Small felt that the education of women and their inclusion into the intellectual mainstream was a destructive phase of social change. The American Sociological Society carried forward based on that premise since Small was an influential founding member. That influence resulted in women's loss of power and influence in the home and in the professions that were set aside for and dominated by men. Small eventually had to recognize the abilities and relevance of women when confronted by the perseverance of early female sociologists such as Jane Addams, Emily Green Balch, Julia Lathrop and Grace Abbott who were allowed limited access to the ASA. They were limited in academic employment opportunities as well and confined to certain limited areas of study that were thought to be appropriate to women.

It is not surprising that the field has been dominated by men and male world views. Sociological writing in many cases reveals a sexist, stereotypical image of the women portrayed in that writing. There has been a traditional lack of sympathy and a lack of interest in women's rights, accomplishments, influence and women's issues by male sociologists that still lingers today. Sexism has been at work in hiring and promotion practices at colleges and universities. As a result much of the history of strong, influential women and their effect on their times and cultures has been lost.

Answer 2

Women have historically been marginalized and excluded from academic disciplines like sociology. Their contributions have often been overlooked or attributed to male colleagues. As a result, traditional views of sociology history have focused on the work of male scholars, perpetuating a lopsided portrayal of the discipline's development. Efforts to reclaim and highlight the contributions of women in sociology are ongoing.