SUNY Cortland students and faculty convened in the Old Main Colloquium for a thought-provoking discussion addressing the underrepresentation of women in sociology.
Under the guidance of Lily Liang, an assistant professor in the Sociology/Anthropology Department, along with student researchers Emily Fedrizzi, Madison Hanford, and Thomas Ellison, the session explored the historical trends of marginalizing women and racial minorities in sociology, investigating how these inequalities are depicted in mainstream media.
Exploring the Foundations of Sociology
The conversation began by examining prominent figures in sociology, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Karl Marx, the founding fathers of sociology. Liang pointed out that their ideas frequently revolve around capitalism and Eurocentric ideals, perpetuating the legacy of Western colonialism.
This emphasized the absence of gender and race diversity in sociological discussions. student researcher, Madison Hanford, pointed out that figures such as Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Ida B. Wells, and W.E.B. Du Bois are frequently forgotten in sociological conversations. She also explained that including a wider range of voices is crucial to address the problem of exclusion which will create a less narrow perspective in the field.
The Media’s Portrayal of Sociologists
During the discussion, a noteworthy observation was made regarding the portrayal of sociologists in the media. Thomas Ellison pointed out that when they asked an AI to depict a sociology professor, it presented images of older white men. This observation prompted questions about the representation of sociologists and whether it has evolved. This seamlessly led to their in-depth research which spanned two semesters.
Madison Handford expressed, “This project helped me understand content analysis in a subject I’m passionate about.”
The Lack of Women Representation
To illustrate the extent of the problem, student researchers shared findings from their content analysis of 248 sociologist obituaries in the New York Times from 1876 to 2022. They found that women sociologists were significantly underrepresented, with their accomplishments often overshadowed by their male counterparts. Another phenomenon uncovered was the tendency for the obituaries of a male sociologists’ wife to focus primarily on the achievements of the male sociologist. Instead of celebrating the accomplishments of the women in their own right, the space was often utilized to highlight the achievements of their spouses, effectively granting them an additional moment in the limelight.
A prime example in their research was the obituary of Mrs. Inge Werner Neumann Marcuse. Her obituary mentioned her role as the wife of Professor Herbert Marcuse, a renowned political philosopher, and her role as the former wife of Professor Franz Neumann, a government professor at Columbia University who passed in 1954. Notably, her career as a French teacher is only briefly acknowledged at the end of the obituary.
Ellison reflected on the project, saying, “Even with progress, changes still need to be made. It’s hard to argue with facts, which is a big reason why I was drawn to this project.”
Celebrating Women Achievements
With a renewed sense of purpose and determination, participants left the session empowered to challenge existing norms, advocate for change, and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable future for all individuals.
During Women’s History Month, SUNY Cortland reaffirms its dedication to gender equity and inclusivity, both on campus and beyond. As we celebrate the achievements of women worldwide, let us continue to advocate for a more representative future for all.