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Gender symbolism and changes in lifeworld through information technology

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Abstract

The starting point of many feminist studies on information technology is the question of how to create equal access to the computer and computer science for women. This question has raised further more profound questions concerning the computer and its effects on the relationship between the sexes.

In my contribution, I will firstly look at those symbolic constructions whichgenderise this technology itself and the ways of handling it. Secondly, I will look into how information technology influences the area of private reproduction and the public division of labour between the sexes. With the advent of information technology, new tendencies, their outcome still undecided, can be seen in both areas. These tendencies could lead to a stabilisation of the current relationship between the sexes. The (inherent) contradictions could however, be used by the women's movement to promote changes which further emancipate.

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Correspondence to Heidi Schelhowe.

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Schelhowe, H. Gender symbolism and changes in lifeworld through information technology. AI & Soc 7, 358–367 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01891417

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