Notes on Patriarcy, Professionalization and the Semi-Professions

This article is an attempt to demonstrate the interrelationship of patriarchy and professionalization, with particular reference to the semi-professions. The introductory and second sections review the state of the sociology of professions and the neglect of a number of issues concerned with gender. The third section sets out a theoretical framework drawing on and clarifying patriarchy, reproduction, capitalism and their relationships. The next section considers professionalization as essentially a patriarchal process through which reproduction and emotionality are controlled by men. The fifth section focuses on the semi-professions and the way they may be transformed in their professionalization with increasing control by men. The concluding section considers a number of general theoretical issues.