Women of Academe: Outsiders in the Sacred Grove

by Nadya Aisenberg, Mona Harrington

Overview

Drawing on more than sixty interviews, this book examines women's struggle to gain authority in the academic profession and to use that authority to change conventional practices. The authors argue that as women rise in academe, they are stymied at a certain level by the remaining force of the old norms which in the past barred women from professional life altogether. These norms decreed a sharp division between public and private realms, assigning men to public duties, women to private, men to intellectual pursuits, women to emotional and relational ones.

Although the strict division of roles is eroding, prejudices about women's "lesser" intellectual power still operate, subtly but effectively, through a two-tiered system of responsibility. The top tier exercises the real authority and consists almost exclusively of men. The bottom tier carries out supportive functions and consists of some men and nearly all the profession's women, who also carry the major burden of private and familial responsibilities.

Making excellent use of interviews, the authors explore in vivid detail how this two-tiered system works and the variety of ways in which academic women have responded to "the rules of the game."

University of Massachusetts Press

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780870236075
Publisher:	University of Massachusetts Press
Publication date:	04/22/1988
Series:	Women in Academics
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	5.93(w) x 9.06(h) x 0.64(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

A founder and editor of Rowan Tree Press, Nadya Aisenberg is a poet and critic whose latest book is We Animals.

Mona Harrington is a lawyer who teaches political science at Vassar College and author of The Dream of Deliverance in American Politics. She and Aisenberg are founding members of the Alliance of Independent Scholars.

University of Massachusetts Press

Editorial Reviews

This book has far-reaching implications for women professionals in all fields.

New York Times Book Review

If you have only one book to give to someone who needs to be informed about the condition of women academics, let it be this one.... This is the most accurate and perceptive book I know of on the problem that all women scientists face at some time or other.... a marvel of elegant clarity, quiet strength, and graceful prose.

American Women of Science Newsletter

A provocative and insightful book.... reading [this] richly textured work is apt to be an uncanny experience for women in almost any profession.

Boston Globe

In this illuminating study, Aisenberg (The Dream of Deliverance in American Politics) and Harrington, a lawyer and political science instructor at Vassar, identify ``a battery of danger points common to the experience of women seeking professional autonomy and authority'' in academia and warn that female intellectuals may undermine their own career advancement by refusing to follow the ``rules of the game.'' Interviews with 62 academics indicate that women seldom receive effective career counseling; fail to develop career strategies (five- and 10-year plans); neglect to establish professional credentials early on (e.g., submitting thesis papers for publication); are unfamiliar with networking; and shun self-promotion as calculated, even cold-blooded manipulation. Most cherish the ``merit dream,'' the belief that political expediency is beneath Ivory Tower purity. Even the tenured professor is loath to exercise her voice of authority, once attained, fearing stigmatization as a shrew. The authors offer concrete approaches to professionalization (e.g., gain practice in political skills through volunteer work) that will benefit women outside the academic community as well. (April) UFunder

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Women have long been subservient to men regardless of the lip service paid to equality; old stigmas still exist. Supported by over 60 interviews, the authors examine the old rules and the struggle of women to gain recognition in the academic profession. Their conclusions offer thoughts on what women should do; the possible actions provide no real solutions for individuals but collectively motivate and stimulate self-esteem. A definitive, thought-provoking study. Recommended. L.R. Little, Penticton P.L., British Columbia

Library Journal

Drawing on more than 60 interviews, this book examines women's struggle to gain authority in the academic profession and to use that authority to change conventional practices. Paper $10.95. No index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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