Gender – Sociology at Work

A Sociology for Women

Dorothy Smith is a white woman with white hair swept back. She is smiling lightly, and stands in front of a tree

“A sociology for women would offer a knowledge of the social organisation and determinations of the properties and events of our directly experienced world.” Dorothy Smith helped to revolutionise sociological methods through feminist principles.

International Women’s Day: Jane Addams

Jane Addams is a white woman with white hair and long white flowing clothes. She is surrounded by children sitting on the ground

“The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.” Happy International Women’s Day, colleagues! Jane Addams, sociologist, was the second woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Once You Are Liberated

Young people wear the Pride flag as they yell and cheer happily

“It is always the same: once you are liberated, you are forced to ask who you are.” – Jean Baudrillard

Classic Quote of the Week: Ann Oakley on the Sociology of Women’s Unpaid Work

Ann Oakley is a white woman with greying blonde hair below her chin and a fringe. She wears silver stud earrings and she is smiling

“Clearly, society has a tremendous stake in insisting on a woman’s natural fitness for the career of mother: the alternatives are all too expensive.” – Ann Oakley

Sociology’s Gendered “Ritual Nods”

Two miniature figures against a pale blue background, a dwoman in a red dress sitting on a pill, and a man with his hands in his pocket stands beside her

White male European and American voices dominate sociology. New analysis makes me wonder: are we reproducing inequality through our “ritual nods” to social theory?

Supporting Women’s Well-Being, Education and Civic Engagement Improves Societies

A young Asian woman kisses her baby's cheek, as the baby looks at the camera

A new infographic shows the importance of improving women’s socioeconomic outcomes, to prevent maternal deaths, reducing child marriages, and increase national gross domestic product.

Gender Equality Around the World: Advances and Gaps

Black and white photo of an Indian girl with her long black hair in braids smiles

A new global report finds that, while there are more girls enrolled in education, and more women in paid employment, gender inequality persists.