The Sexual Context of Social Research

FEATURES OF TRADITIONAL SOCIAL RESEARCH WHICH REFLECT SEXUAL BIAS ARE ANALYZED. THE USE OF CENSUS DATA HAS AN IMPORTANT EFFECT SINCE SUCH DATA PRESUME THE HUSBAND TO BE 'HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD' & MASK THE WIFE'S SIGNIFICANCE FOR FAMILY STATUS. NORC DATA ALSO REFLECT SUCH BIASES, AS IN IGNORING MOTHER'S OCCUPATION IN DEFINING FAMILY STATUS; THIS HAS A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON STUDIES OF OCCUPATIONAL MOBILITY IN F'S, WHOSE OCCUPATIONS ARE INFLUENCED BY THOSE OF THEIR MOTHERS. INDIVIDUAL STUDIES IGNORE WOMEN'S WORKING ROLES IN MANY CASES, & IGNORE MEN'S EFFECTS ON CHILDREARING. IN WC FAMILIES THE WIFE MAY BE MORE EDUCATED THAN THE HUSBAND; IGNORING THE WIFE'S OCCUPATION CAN BIAS FAMILY STATUS. W. H. STODDARD.