Mary Maynard

Are diet-prostate cancer associations mediated by the IGF axis? A cross-sectional analysis of diet, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in healthy middle-aged men

We examined the association of diet with insulin-like growth factors (IGF) in 344 disease-free men. Raised levels of IGF-1 and/or its molar ratio with IGFBP-3 were associated with higher intakes of milk, dairy products, calcium, carbohydrate and polyunsaturated fat; lower levels with high vegetable consumption, particularly tomatoes. These patterns support the possibility that IGFs may mediate some diet–cancer associations.

Violence Towards Women

This chapter is concerned with a range of different types of violence against women: wifebeating, rape, child sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and pornography. In some of the literature these are considered as separate topics. Here they are treated as part of a spectrum of violence with the aim of demonstrating that our understanding of each form of violence is enhanced by considering them together. This does not mean that we can generalise from one kind of violence to all others without qualification. Rather it is to acknowledge the interrelationship between different kinds of violence, particularly in terms of their impact on and consequences for women’s lives.

Beyond the ‘big three’: the development of feminist theory into the 1990s

Abstract This paper examines some of the changes that have taken place in Western feminist theory during its recent past. It begins by questioning whether previous practices of labelling feminism as liberal, Marxist or radical are still useful. It then considers those influences that have especially effected feminist thinking, particularly Lacanian psychoanalysis and post-structuralism. The paper argues that the nature of feminist theory has been profoundly transformed since the early days of second wave feminism. While some of these changes have been positive, others have had unfortunate and negative consequences. The paper concludes with some suggestions as to how the usefulness and political potential of feminist theorising might be harnessed for the future.

Gender and ethnicity at the millennium : from margin to centre

Three decades of feminist academic work have led to claims about its maturity and “coming of age”. This article offers a critical evaluation of feminism’s success, particularly in the context of “race” and ethnicity awareness. Feminism has challenged mainstream thought by making women and gender central concerns, by opening up new fields for study and by breaking down disciplinary barriers. However, the global hegemony of Western feminism means that the range of women’s issues tends to be narrowly and parochially conceived. Women of different ethnicities have had an uphill struggle to redefine feminist terms, benchmarks and understandings. One particular difficulty involves the use of ideas and concepts which are not easily translated into English. Drawing on debates between Western women and Islamist feminists, the article explores some of the problems in understanding terminologies and deciphering definitions about cultures and languages. It argues that the views of non-Western and ethnic minority women must be moved from margin to centre stage.

Feminism and the Possibilities of a Postmodern Research Practice

Getting Smart claims to be concerned with how knowledge relates to power and the ways in which a liberatory research practice might be established. It addresses a set of issues which have been at the focus of debates about the nature of feminist research for nearly two decades (Roberts, 1981; Reinharz, 1992). One early concern concentrated on questions of method and how far conventional approaches could be appropriated for the feminist project. The 1980s thus saw a number of critiques of quantitative techniques and support for more qualitative styles of research, especially in-depth, face-to-face interviews, developed in such a way that they eventually became something of a feminist orthodoxy (Bowles & Duelli Klein, 1983; Graham, 1984). A second focus within debates on feminist methodology has been concerned with the nature of the research process itself. Questions were asked about the hierarchical power relations often inherent in research practices, the potentially exploitative situation into which the researched were placed, and how both of these might be diminished (Finch, 1984; Oakley, 1981). Feminists argued that it was important that those involved as subjects in research should not simply be treated as sources of data and that genuine rapport was a necessary part of the relationship between researcher and researched. A consensus began to emerge that, rather than method per se, it is the questions asked, the way the researcher locates herself within these questions and the political purpose of the work which distinguishes feminist from other forms of research (Kelly, 1988). Recently, interest in feminist research has taken another turn, towards a more epistemological focus, asking what kinds of knowledge are possible, and how adequacy and legitimacy might be ensured? It is this third area of debate, in particular, which informs Patti Lathers book. Within feminist epistemology there are, currently, two broad

Women, Violence and Male Power

This chapter will examine the higher profile of the issue of male violence against women and children in the domestic setting which has arisen out of the political practice of activists in the women’s liberation movement and feminist research deriving from this. It will also address the growing popular interest in female violence. In some of the literature these are treated as separate topics. Here they are treated as part of a spectrum or spectrums of violence which have an impact and consequence on women’s lives. Its persistence as an area of experience in women’s lives is one of the reasons why violence is such an important topic for Women’s Studies today.

Gender ethnicity and empowerment in later life

Studies of later life are increasingly emphasising its positive aspects as a time which is not necessarily linked to decline and dependency. Gender is also accepted as an important variable in the experience of advancing years. However, the significance of ethnicity is less often emphasised. Based on preliminary analyses from research with older women from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, this article focuses on what they identify as important in terms of living their later years. The article emphasises migration and cultural differences in perceptions of ageing. It concludes with a discussion of the meanings of empowerment.

The Body and Social Theory

Introduction The Body in Sociology The Naturalistic Body The Socially Constructed Body The Body and Social Inequalities The Body and Physical Capital The Civilized Body The Body, Self-Identity and Death Concluding Comments

Moving Towards a Fair Start: equal gender opportunities and the careers service

abstract Although there is now a considerable literature on gender inequality in education and employment, there is virtually no research on the Careers Service which provides a bridge between the two. Based on a national survey of all Careers Services conducted in 1987, this paper explores the significance afforded to gender discrimination and the nature and content of equal opportunities policies designed to counter it. It draws attention to the differences in meaning which the term ‘equal opportunities’ can have and to the changing context in which equal opportunities policies now operate.