Doing research on ‘fear of crime, boys, race and masculinities’: utilizing a feminist standpoint epistemology

This paper airs specific problems encountered at the outset of the author's research on ‘The impact of race and racism on boys’1 fear of crime'. The complexities of researching boys from black2 (and white) backgrounds are examined from the author's standpoint as a young, white female academic. Epistemological questions are raised in recognition that ‘who we are and what we do shapes and constrains what we can know’ and, more specifically within the demands of a feminist standpoint epistemology, gender is discussed as a central consideration of the research process in relation to race and age. Rather than simply being a ‘useful exercise’ for the author herself, the paper highlights epistemological considerations relevant to much of social science research in complex areas. The paper does not set out to offer concrete solutions to the problems and practicalities detailed, but should be viewed as a discursive piece that draws on the personal experience of ongoing research in theoretically and practically challenging areas to suggest that reflexivity holds the promise of ‘good’ research.