Over onwil en onwetendheid: Wilhelmina en haar windmolens

Samenvatting

A critique of Wilhelmina van Wetering's introduction of a special issue on women's studies of Sociologische Gids (see SA 36:1/88T3156), suggesting that her article is tendentious, sloppy, & unscientific, her views on feminist anthropology (FA) remain unclear, & her knowledge of international developments in FA is severely limited. It is questioned whether she is ignorant of contemporary conceptual & empirical developments in the field of FA, or whether she is reluctant to accept them because they do not fit in her image of FA. Contrary to van Wetering's belief, contemporary feminist anthropologists are indeed interested in the work of their forebearers; however, she does not come across as an "earth mother" of FA, but rather as a complaining evil stepmother. In Dupliek van een duivelsadvocaat (Response of a Devil's Advocate), Wilhelmina van Wetering comments that since it was her intention to play the role of devil's advocate, she gladly accepts the role of evil stepmother. Feminism is full of contradictions, & tends to lapse into triviality & lack of discipline. Sifting out ideology, & thereby bringing FA closer to traditional anthropology, would clearly enhance FA's standing & lessen the existing tensions. 68 References. M. Barker