The “particular problems” of the sexes? Thoughts on analyzing gender dynamics with figurational theory

Basic data for this talk

Information about the event

Abstract

The unique feature of Eliasian theory, which is constantly making the connection between psychogenesis and sociogenesis, habitus formation, state building and power struggles in a long-term perspective, has taken long to find its way into gender studies. With the works of Elias, and the following generations of international figurational researchers who analysed gender relations this topic has increased since the late 1980s and grown into a subfield. But gender balances and imbalances still remain a secondary subject. On the one hand, it was in line with the general penchant of social theory and historical sociology. On the other, to analyse gender relations in their progressive and regressive mutability as a product of interdependent long-term developments of society is relatively seldom in sociology. Elias's  figurational- and process-theory with its relational concept of power offers not only valuable contributions to explicate the dimension of a sociology of gender implicit in it. A long-lasting reception barrier to figuration theory was accompanied by overlooking a relational perspective of gradual nuances and interactions in the process of civilization next to the spurts and regressions of power between the sexes at that time.The paper recapitulates with knowledge-sociological instruments this receiptions barriers and gives exemplar illustrations hwo to do gender research with process-theory.

Speakers from the University of Münster

Ernst, Stefanie

Professorship for work and knowledge (Prof. Ernst)