Feminisms and Cross-ideological Feminist Social Research: Standpoint, Situatedness and Positionality – Developing Cross-ideological Feminist Research

When we consider the different cultural spaces in which feminist social researchers might be carrying out empirical research the nature of ‘feminist social research’ becomes difficult to define. The issue becomes even more complex when we consider the multiple standpoints, contexts and positionalities of different kinds of feminists from diverse backgrounds, both secular and religious. There cannot be a blanket universal agreement between feminists from different ideological positions regarding appropriate subjects and methodologies for research. Nevertheless, the writer concludes that through a pragmatic feminist approach, exemplified by working in a situated way with the materials that are available, we can move toward moments of issue-based coalition between standpoints

Secular values and the location of religion: a spatial analysis of an English medical centre

What do contemporary controversies in healthcare reveal about secular values and the location of religion within an English medical centre? Using a socio-spatial methodology designed to break open ideological perspectives and normative values, we analyse the doctor-patient relationship, complementary and alternative medicine, and an issue that bridges the two, evidence-based medicine. In the physical, social and mental spaces of the medical centre we uncover the traces of religious activity and roles and of alternative therapeutic regimes often informed by spiritual or religious systems. Furthermore we disclose the heterogeneity of values that comprise the secular worldview of one group of contemporary general practitioners

Gender ethnicity and empowerment in later life

Studies of later life are increasingly emphasising its positive aspects as a time which is not necessarily linked to decline and dependency. Gender is also accepted as an important variable in the experience of advancing years. However, the significance of ethnicity is less often emphasised. Based on preliminary analyses from research with older women from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, this article focuses on what they identify as important in terms of living their later years. The article emphasises migration and cultural differences in perceptions of ageing. It concludes with a discussion of the meanings of empowerment

Empowerment and disempowerment: a comparative study of afro-caribbean, asian and white British women in their third age

Grant description: The majority of older people are women who now expect more from life than they have in the past. Yet, we have little knowledge about what they regard as quality of life and successful ageing, with the information which is available tending to ignore ethnic minority women. This research compares the views and experiences of older British women from different ethnic groups. It is based on in-depth interviews with able-bodied women of 60-75 years from Afro-Caribbean, Asian and white British backgrounds. The research aims to evaluate their quality of life, how this might successfully be extended and the implications of this for national and local policies. It will explore what women find rewarding and what debilitating, analyse coping strategies and how these might be enhanced and develop a model of the levels at which intervention and support might be most effectiv