The American Woman and the Male Historian

In: Social science quarterly, Band 55, Heft 3, S. 605-614

Abstract

The hero in America has been white, protestant, & M. History which perpetuates the belief in heroes & heroic action has limitations, such as the neglect of the contributions of women. Most women who have had historical influence did so by influencing men. It is contended that the majority of professional historians are consciously sexist or racist. A renewed interest in intellectual & social history, new interdisciplinary approaches to history, & the use of new methodological techniques have resulted in a reevaluation of the role of women in the American experience. There is considerable documentation on the connection between intellectual bias toward women & the discrimination against women practiced in the "academic marketplace." What is needed is better information about the nature & origin of racial & sexual bias, & how they are influenced by background education, & class. The creation of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women in 1961 sparked the reemergence of feminism which profoundly shook the history profession. Women protested the omission of vital F characters from standard versions of American history. The problem of presenting a history of woman's role in American life is complicated by lack of data, as well as by the fact that certain areas of F accomplishment are well-documented, but by M's with possible sexist attitudes. The aim now is to "supplement" the lop-sided history which is still being forced on the young. R. Lent.