Practicing what we teach? An autobiographical reflection on navigating academia as a single mother

M Schlehofer�- Journal of Community Psychology, 2012 - Wiley Online Library
Journal of Community Psychology, 2012Wiley Online Library
Despite the contributions of feminist theory and practice to improve workplace conditions in
various sectors of business and industry, academic workplaces largely remain structured
around a traditionally hierarchical, male workplace model and culture, which can inhibit
women's career advancement. Using autobiographical narrative, I draw upon my own
experiences as a single mother working in the academy to highlight women's acceptance
and advancement in the academy. These experiences illustrate many themes pertaining to�…
Abstract
Despite the contributions of feminist theory and practice to improve workplace conditions in various sectors of business and industry, academic workplaces largely remain structured around a traditionally hierarchical, male workplace model and culture, which can inhibit women's career advancement. Using autobiographical narrative, I draw upon my own experiences as a single mother working in the academy to highlight women's acceptance and advancement in the academy. These experiences illustrate many themes pertaining to how women are evaluated at work, differential treatment of female versus male faculty and mothers versus childless women, and women's abilities to balance work and family. I conclude with recommendations for how we as feminist community psychologists can improve our own academic work environments � 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wiley Online Library