Women of Academe: Outsiders in the Sacred Grove

In this illuminating study, Aisenberg (The Dream of Deliverance in American Politics) and Harrington, a lawyer and political science instructor at Vassar, identify ""a battery of danger points common to the experience of women seeking professional autonomy and authority'' in academia and warn that female intellectuals may undermine their own career advancement by refusing to follow the ``rules of the game.'' Interviews with 62 academics indicate that women seldom receive effective career counseling; fail to develop career strategies (five- and 10-year plans); neglect to establish professional credentials early on (e.g., submitting thesis papers for publication); are unfamiliar with networking; and shun self-promotion as calculated, even cold-blooded manipulation. Most cherish the ``merit dream,'' the belief that political expediency is beneath Ivory Tower purity. Even the tenured professor is loath to exercise her voice of authority, once attained, fearing stigmatization as a shrew. The authors offer concrete approaches to professionalization (e.g., gain practice in political skills through volunteer work) that will benefit women outside the academic community as well. (April) UFunder