Women in the Field: Anthropological Experiences

by Peggy Golde

What is it like to be an anthropologist or, more specifically, a woman anthropologist? Here we see highly trained and qualified women anthropologists examining their own efforts to live and work in alien cultures in many parts of the world. New chapters have been added to this ground-breaking volume, and each contributor is, in one way or another, a pioneer. All have chosen to devote their lives and energies to the understanding of worlds not their own. All have felt it important to explain what they do, why they do it, and how they feel about their work.
Cultures vary widely in their perception of a woman engaged in anthropological field work. Each of these women has had to deal with the influence of her gender, as well as the subject of her study, on the mechanics of establishing a living-working relationship with people of another culture. The diversity of their responses to the presence of a foreign woman at work in their midst gives the book an invaluable cross-cultural perspective, as does the great variety of reactions and strategies on the part of the authors themselves. Besides providing rare insight into field work in general, "Women in the Field" mirrors the difficulties and delights of any person thrust into an unfamiliar culture.

Genres: Anthropology, Gender, Nonfiction, Feminism

408 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 1986

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Older book but still pod thoughts for anyone looking into qualitative field work- especially females. Gender interactions should be of interest to more than just feminists as they shape essentially all of our interactions both at home and abroad. Some out-of-date concepts and language by a few various authors but an invaluable insight into the personal experience of fieldwork for both men and women researchers.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, better if you are a feminist.