Finding the ‘action’ in feminist participatory action research

Abstract

Although feminist researchers have increasingly called for participatory and action-oriented research, there have been few analyses of the diverse actions that can occur. We theorized the actions considered and implemented in a feminist participatory action research project (FPAR). For three years we collaborated intensively with a group of diverse women on low income who were involved in a FPAR project designed to reduce social isolation and other self-identified health problems. Our data set included tape recordings of 32 one-on-one interviews, 15 research meetings, and extensive fieldnotes. Our findings indicated that actions occurred on both individual and collective levels; some had been enacted prior to the project and were shared to promote ongoing or new actions, while others arose as a consequence of the women’s involvement in the project. Additionally, some actions were implemented and actualized while others, though discussed at length, remained hopes for the future. While the research participants reported the benefits of being involved in such projects, they also spoke of the potential risks. Our findings revealed the complexities of taking action in FPAR and highlight important considerations for others wishing to engage in this type of research.

Making a difference: Linking research and action in practice, pedagogy, and policy for social justice: Introduction

“…Abraham, 2000;Ampofo et al, 2004;Brydon-Miller et al, 2004; Guijt and Shah, 1998;Hemment, 2004;Lykes and Coquillon, 2006;Maguire, 1987;Maguire and Berge, 2009;Maney andAbraham, 2008/2009;Mies, 1991;Ng et al, 1995;Purkayastha et al, 2003;Ramazanoglu and Holland, 2002;Reid, 2004;Reid et al, 2006;Rezai-Rashti, 1995;Sarmiento, 2003;Sullivan et al, 2005;Wang et al, 1996;Weiner, 2004;Williams and Lykes, 2003).…”

The `f' word has everything to do with it

“…While the women shared a lack of material resources, they differed in other significant ways that were illustrative of intersectionality theory because age, marital and immigration status were tied to different causes and consequences of poverty, as well as desired actions identified by the women (Reid et al, 2006). For example, young single mothers were very concerned about affordable childcare, older women who lived alone contemplated alternative ways of reducing their social isolation, and recent immigrant women who did not speak English as their first language considered how to deal with the discrimination encountered when seeking employment and public services in Canada Reid, 2004a).…”

“…Some expressed interest in and enthusiasm for having their voices heard as part of a theory-building process. Others were more cynical about the potential benefits of collective theorizing because of disappointments associated with raised expectations for change that had not been actualized in the past (Reid et al, 2006). Despite the inherent shortcomings of any theory, we argue that when one or more feminist theories are augmented by participatory approaches that generate local knowledges, theories can help us think together about historically entrenched forms of gender inequality; the systems, ideas, and policies that reproduce them; the importance of individual choice and selfdetermination; along with potential avenues for social justice.…”

“…For example, the diverse women living in poverty, various community partners, and the university-based feminist participatory action researchers created space in their projects to talk about the social, political and economic forces that led to the women's poor health as a way of countering dominant victim blaming approaches and discourses tied to individual responsibility. Such theorizing points to individual and collective steps that can be taken to counter dominant discourses that disadvantage women who have unequal access to health care and health-promoting activities, which also serves to absolve policy-makers from taking corrective actions (Reid, Tom, & Frisby, 2006). Without such theorizing, women may internalize oppression by blaming themselves for their situations because of the stigmatizing treatment and messages that bombard them on a daily basis (Pheterson, 1990;Ponic, 2007).…”

‘A new view of body image’: A school-based participatory action research project with young Aboriginal women

“…Action can take many forms and be implemented at various levels (Reid, Tom, & Frisby, 2006). For example, as a form of action, Taylor (1998) explained how she ensured that her research was shared with policy makers and made public through various means of media.…”