The contradiction of the myth of individual merit, and the reality of a patriarchal support system in academic careers - A feminist investigation

This article draws on data from a qualitative research study undertaken in an old (pre-1992) UK university with the main aim of investigating the issu e of the gender dimension of academic careers. It examines the idea of an i ndividualistic academic career that demands self-promotion, which is still used as a measure of achievement by those in senior positions. However, the re is a basic contradiction. While this idea is upheld, men simultaneously gain by an in-built patriarchal support system. They do not have to make a conscious effort to be helped by it, thereby perpetuating the cultural hege mony of individualism. Women are not admitted to this support system, and i f they are seen as needing or wanting to set up their own system, this is v iewed as a weakness. The answer appears to be for women to strategically ha rness feminist ways of working in a collaborative and supportive way.