Introduction
Visual anthropology is a relatively recent area of anthropological
specialization (Seymour-Smith, 1986). The intent of visual anthropology is to
study human behavior through a variety of photographic methods including the
use of still cameras, movie cameras, and more recently the video camera. Collier
(1967) describes the camera as a inductive technique to capture a cultural "slice
of reality." More recently, Collier and Collier (1986) describe photography as a
"can-opener" to understanding human organization.
Visual Anthropology on Campus
The question for the campus ecologist is: Can photographs of the campus
environment be useful in gaining an understanding of the campus culture or
climate? Two recent studies point to an affirmative response to the application
question. In the first study, a similar question was asked of drug and alcohol
treatment environments (Younge, Petting, Banning, & Younge, 1991). Can
photographs help in the understanding of treatment environments? Photographs
were taken in a state-wide sample of typical drug and alcohol treatment centers,
showing how different aspects of the environment communicated, non-verbally,
messages to clients. It was found that not only did the photographs show
confusing functional messages (How do you find the entrance to the building?);
they also presented non-verbal messages that were inconsistent with espoused
treatment philosophy. In the second study, Banning (1991) used a set of
photographs taken from the pedestrian environments of parks, malls, urban and
campus pathways to illustrate messages of sexism. To illustrate the application of
visual anthropology methods to the study of the campus ecology, a similar
question can be raised of the campus environment. Do campus environments
communicate messages of sexism and if so, can these messages be captured on
film?
Non-verbal Communications of the Physical Environment
Before addressing the topic of photographing messages of sexism, it is
important to build the linkages between how a environment communicates and
the topic of sexism. The physical environment of the campus user includes a
variety of physical structures. For example, the "pedestrian" of the campus
environment encounters numerous buildings, walkways, signs, and symbols. The
signs and symbols range from signs giving simple informational messages to
graffiti that communicates complex social attitudes. This relationship between
buildings and communication has been captured by a number of environmental
psychologists (Moos, 1986; Porteus, 1977; Rapaport, 1982; Zeisel, 1975, 1981). It
is Rapaport (1982) that suggests an important link between the physical
environment and behavior involves the mechanism of non-verbal messages.
Non-verbal Communication of Sexism on Campuses
Feminist architects, MATRIX, in their book Making Space: Women and
the Man-Made Environment give insight into the potential content of non-verbal
messages given by the physical environment (Matrix, 1984). They point out that
the physical environment is a man-made world. Men are typically the group that
makes the decisions to build, men find the money to build, typically men are the
architects that design, and the engineers and construction workers who build are
most likely to be men.
In other words, messages regarding roles for women become "encoded" in
the actual physical structures that are encountered by campus pedestrians. If the
campus environments are primarily designed and maintained by men, then one
might suspect that the messages coming from these structures may carry
non-verbal messages that communicate sexism.
Campus Photographs of the Elements of Sexism
The sexism in our society has been captured by a number of writers.
Elements in this sexism include viewing men as the inclusive norm for all
(Minnich, 1990) men as superior over women (Gray, 1982 & Schaef, 1985) and
men as aggressive, dominant and active and women as passive, dependent, and
exploitable (Ruble, 1983). Given the pervasiveness of these elements and that
they form the foundation to gender socialization in our society, then the dominant
system of designers and builders (white, male, upper/middle class) could hardly
escape these elements of sexism. Are the messages of sexism apparent in the
physical environment of college and university campuses?
The interface of sexism and pedestrian issues has been captured by Denham (1990). Using Denham's work and the specific elements of sexism, messages about women that have been encoded into the physical environmental experience of the pedestrian, both by designers and users, can be looked at from the following categories: (1) Messages of exclusivity (only men exist); (2) Messages of threat to women; (3) Messages of male superiority and dominance; (4) Messages of stereotypical roles; (5) Messages of exploitation; and (6) Messages of insensitivity toward women's mobility issues. Examples within the above message categories can be illustrated and documented by photographs of the pedestrian experience.
Messages of exclusivity. Photograph 1 illustrates the somewhat common
occurrence of the message that women do not work (Photograph 2) despite the
fact that the sign is located not only next to a female campus maintenance
worker, but the academic building also houses many women faculty and staff.
Photograph 2 is of a new library at a major university in the Northwest. There is a
three story male figure located on the building suggesting a less than inclusive
messages for women who use the facility.
Messages of threat. Hostile graffiti aimed directly at women (Photograph 3) produces an atmosphere of threat. The photograph was taken in a tunnel that connects two major divisions of a univeristy in the Rocky Mountain area.
Messages of male superiority and dominance. The contarast between photograph 4 and photograph 5 are quite commonplace. Public statuary often literally places men on pedistals and at the same time placews women in the passive positions of sitting or kneeling. The photographs came from the same university in the Southwest.
Messages of traditional roles for women. Photograph 6 is taken in front of an entrance to a student union in a Midwestern University. The picture shows women preparing food and caring for children. Such statuary is seldom accompanied bo other pieces that depict men doing domestic work or women employed outside the home.
Messages of exploitation. Advertising often exploits women in the selling of products. Unlike magazines and television advertising, the pedestrian finds it difficult to "put down" or "turn off" billboards. Photograph 7 shows a billboard directly across the street from a new urban campus.
Messages of insensitivity toward women's mobility issues.. The grate in the pedistrian underpass to the university campus in Photograph 8 would not allow the use of high heels and the nature of the graffiti suggests a high level of threat. Photograph 9 illustrates the insensivity to issues of baby strollers (more frequently accompanied by women) and access. The female student belonging to this stroller was attempting to buy books at a Northeastern university bookstore (books under one arm and a baby under the other).
References
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This material resides is maintained by
Will Barratt.
Please forward any problems and comments to him.