Dissertation Diaries III: Why think sociologically about farming?
Those who ventured to the lecture I gave or have endured my
dissertation snippets, may know that my key interest at the moment revolves
around the under-researched area of gender in farming…but what can actually be
done to target the status of women in farming?
In my eyes, Sociology mustn't lose
sight of its ability to inform the public and policy. So when
conducting the research for my dissertation, I made sure I thought through
the potential implications of the findings. Bearing in mind the data collection
and analysis was grounded in real world experiences and points of views of the
women involved, it's important that it's transferable to making change
at ground level.
In light of uncovering instances of women enduring marginalizing
interactions, improving the image of farming women may be a step in the right
direction. Occasions where a woman’s capability to farm is questioned or it
is assumed that they are accompanying a man may be counteracted by the
portrayal of farm women in the media in a modern and positive light. It is true
that many television programmes feature farming, such as the likes of
Countryfile, First Time Farmers and The Dales. But they do little to challenge the
outdated perceptions of what it means to be a farmer and fail to acknowledge real
issues today. The gender dynamics of Countryfile are questionable given that
the female presenters come across as a token addition, dressed in their best
tweeds and still learning about farming themselves. See more here.
In terms of the potential for
government initiatives, the UK could take some inspiration from Australia which
promotes gender mainstreaming in the agricultural sector via a Rural Women’s Unit within the Department of
Agriculture. Dedicated to promoting the contribution made by women in farming, it encourages women
to take part in decision‐making processes and works to ensure that policies don't reflect a male orientation. Watch
this space for the some of the dominant narratives that have traditionally
sustained women at the periphery of farming!
Comments
Post a comment