Narrating gender: A discourse analytic view on studying gender

Kelan, E (2007) Narrating gender: A discourse analytic view on studying gender. Working Paper. London Business School Lehman Brothers Centre for Women in Business.

Abstract

Current theories of gender often assume that gender is something that is ‘done’ in everyday interactions. If this is so, then gender must also be enacted through the everyday narration of stories. This article considers how gender as a performative practice can be studied through narration. It takes a discourse analytic perspective on this issue to highlight differences and tensions in studying gender through narration. The article sets out by briefly outlining approaches to understanding gender as something that is done or performed. Discourse analysis is introduced as a way of studying these narratives, certain tensions in the approach are highlighted and finally some conclusions are drawn. The article argues that discourse analysis is a useful methodology for studying how gender is enacted through narratives.