If humorous mode doesn't work, let's try serious, scholarly research mode.
Attitudes to gender in the profession have clearly changed over time. I refer to
an article in the Birmingham Post, Monday March 16 1953. As follows:
Mainly For Women
E.F.Whitehead Discusses a New and Interesting Career for an Intellectual Girl
THE WOMAN ARCHIVIST
"The intellectual "bookish" type of girl who loves learning for its own sake but
who feels no urge to become a teacher might well consider making archive
administration her career, particularly if history is her pet subject." etc.,
etc.
It is a fascinating article which by today's standards would no doubt be
considered patronising, not to say offensive in some quarters. I recommend the
article to all those with a serious interest in the subject. Please direct any
complaints to the Editor of The Birmingham Post (if it's still going).
Richard Childs
West ussex Record Office
Jennifer Haynes <[log in to unmask]> on 03/08/2000 14:11:42
Please respond to [log in to unmask]
To: Jayne Pucknell <[log in to unmask]>
cc: [log in to unmask] (bcc: Richard Childs/CS/WSCC)
Subject: REPLY: Re: gender in the archive profession -Reply
No - you are not alone!
Perhaps another, related study might be made of the
gendered attitudes of archivists themselves....
Perpetuating such stereotypes (even by way of supposed
humour) on a public discussion list does no one any
favours - unless of course it was intended as a comment on
the prevailing cultural perceptions of archivists in the
past and thus a contribution to an intelligent debate of
the issues, in which case my apologies.
Jenny.
----------------------
Jennifer Haynes
Archivist
Institute of Education
20, Bedford Way
London WC1H 0AL
Tel: (+44) 20 7612 6063
Fax: (+44) 20 7612 6093
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
On Thu, 03 Aug 2000 13:37:09 +0000 Jayne Pucknell
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I presume I am not alone in finding this remark completely
> offensive..? I must admit I've not seen one female archivist
> with a beard in all my years in the profession..perhaps they
> all used to shave (said with heavy sarcasm..)
>
> Jayne Pucknell
> Environment Agency
>
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