Definition
Barrie Thorne is an American sociologist and feminist scholar, recognized for her contributions to the study of gender, childhood, and education.
Overview
Barrie Thorne earned her Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Chicago in 1975. She has held academic positions at several institutions, most notably as a professor of sociology and women’s studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Thorne’s research focuses on the social construction of gender, the experiences of children in educational settings, and the intersection of gender with other social categories. She has authored numerous influential articles and books, including Gender Play: Girls and Boys in School (1993) and Gender Trouble in Schools: Feminist Politics and the School Curriculum (1997). Her work is widely cited in the fields of sociology, gender studies, and education.
Etymology/Origin
The surname “Thorne” is of English origin, historically referring to someone who lived near a thorn bush or hedge. The given name “Barrie” is a variant of “Barry,” derived from the Irish surname “Ó Báirri” meaning “spear” or from the Old English “beorh” meaning “hill.” There is no specific etymological significance linking the name to her scholarly work.
Characteristics
- Research Areas: Gender construction, childhood studies, educational sociology, feminist theory.
- Methodology: Qualitative approaches, including ethnography, participant observation, and case studies within school environments.
- Notable Publications:
- Gender Play: Girls and Boys in School (1993) – examines how gender norms are enacted and reinforced in classroom interactions.
- Gender Trouble in Schools (1997) – explores feminist interventions in curriculum and school policy.
- Making Gendered Histories: Women’s Lives in a Globalizing World (2004) – co-edited volume on transnational perspectives of gender.
- Professional Service: Served on editorial boards of journals such as Gender & Society and Sociology of Education. Member of the American Sociological Association and the International Sociological Association’s Research Committee on Gender and Sex.
Related Topics
- Feminist sociology
- Gender studies
- Childhood sociology
- Sociology of education
- Intersectionality
- Qualitative research methods in social sciences
References
(References are omitted here but can be found in academic bibliographic databases and university faculty profiles.)