Q: Write a comprehensive note on autonomy v/s integration in gender
studies.
1: Introduction
Gender study is a study of identities, and social interaction build on
the basis of gender. It not only deals with the socially constructed inequalities
based on genders but also make policies to bring equity among genders in
various fields such as social, economical and political life.
2: Emergence of Gender Studies
Before the emergence of women studies during the second wave
feminists in 1960’s, man was considered as a leading character (a subject) and
woman was taken as an object in ever spheres of human life. For example, in
education, every discipline revolved around the male aspect of human and the
female was neglected or considered as other. The activists of the Second Wave
Feminists realized a need of such discipline which not only counters the
male-centric pattern of academia but also enlighten the importance and rights of
female. These conditions give birth to a new field of studies initially named as
women studies.
During late 1960’s women studies started shaping and some of the American
universities took it as a field of studies. From 1960’s to today, it is now well
developed discipline and is being taught in more than 700 universities all
around the world including Pakistan.
With the establishment of gender studies, a new debate raised about
the future of this discipline. For this purpose, the practitioners took two different
approaches i.e. either it should be made an autonomous field of education, or it
should be integrated with other disciplines as a sub field. However, the ultimate
goal of both the point of views was to strengthen this field.
3: Autonomy v/s Integration Debate
As mentioned earlier for the improvement and strengthen the gender
study, the autonomists and integrationists came up with various arguments.
a. Autonomists Points of Views
Autonomy latterly means “independent”. Those who were in favor
of autonomy of gender studies, were considered as autonomists.
Autonomists argued that to make worth among other educational fields,
gender study should be given autonomous status. It will provide a visible
identity and power in different shapes including hiring faculty, to carryout
researches, developing methodologies, and spending funding to achieve its
goals.
Autonomies considered that autonomous gender study can play a
key role in preserving the field connections with the women’s movements by
incorporating feminists in this independent field of study and day by day
activities which will bring equality among genders.
The other argument of the pro-autonomists was that gender study is
a complete set of academic requirements in itself. It has only a small portion
which related with other disciplines. Thus it should not be considered as sub
field in education and given a status of independent educational field.
b. Integrationists Point of Views
Integrationists were those who believed that aims of gender study
can only be achieved if taught with other studies as a sub field.
They thought giving autonomy to gender studies will lead towards
educational isolation of this field. Which will not allow it to obtain it’s goals.
Integration with other studies is the only path for its visible identity and power.
Integrationists considered that being an independent educational discipline
gender study will be considered as totally female centric field and won’t be able
allowed turning the tables in opposite direction in an ando-centric surrounding.
The integrationists realized that if gender study integrated with
other subjects, the policy makers will not only study it but will also make
policies keeping in mind the requirements and equity among all the gender.
4. Conclusion:
To sum up the debate, both integration and autonomy can co-exits
for gender studies. As mentioned by a Jean Fox O’ Barr that gender study is a
discipline as well as a sub discipline. The only need is that the impact of gender
studies should be felt in all other educational fields.
