IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/crpeac/v99y2024ics1045235423000515.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Sexist academic socialization and feminist resistance: (de)constructing women’s (dis)placement in Brazilian accounting academia

Author

Listed:
  • Lima, João Paulo Resende de
  • Casa Nova, Silvia Pereira de Castro
  • Vendramin, Elisabeth de Oliveira

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze women’s experiences in the Brazilian accounting academia to understand how entrenched sexism shapes their socialization process. We argue that the doctoral programs's socialization is based on rooted sexism that reinforces and maintains the construction of scarcity of women in accounting academia. Theoretically, we draw upon the discussion of sexism and academic socialization processes. Methodologically, we conducted 19 interviews with 17 women, both pursuing their Ph.D. or already working as faculties. Our evidence points to three main findings: (i) women are constantly being expelled from accounting academia and receiving constant reminders that they are an abject body in a masculine/masculiniized environment; (ii) this expulsion attempt is embodied especially during motherhood – that constitutes an embodied process of othering – and by objectification, navigating both silence and sexualization; and (iii) they resist by relying upon have values opposed to the pale male me(n)ritocratic ideal. We conclude that the “old boys’ club” pillars are being challenged as women subvert the established sexist values. This paper has a twofold contribution: (i) presenting the anatomy of how sexism takes form in the socialization process and questioning the taken-for-granted doctoral program’s rules while presenting a new possibility of academic values, and; (ii) adding Brazilian voices to the diversity and inclusion accounting literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Lima, João Paulo Resende de & Casa Nova, Silvia Pereira de Castro & Vendramin, Elisabeth de Oliveira, 2024. "Sexist academic socialization and feminist resistance: (de)constructing women’s (dis)placement in Brazilian accounting academia," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:crpeac:v:99:y:2024:i:c:s1045235423000515
    DOI: 10.1016/j.cpa.2023.102600
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1045235423000515
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.cpa.2023.102600?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fox, Kenneth A., 2018. "The manufacture of the academic accountant," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 1-20.
    2. Pelger, Christoph & Grottke, Markus, 2015. "What about the future of the academy? – Some remarks on the looming colonisation of doctoral education," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 117-129.
    3. Lupu, Ioana, 2012. "Approved routes and alternative paths: The construction of women's careers in large accounting firms. Evidence from the French Big Four," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 23(4), pages 351-369.
    4. Karin Svedberg Helgesson & Ebba Sjögren, 2019. "No finish line: How formalization of academic assessment can undermine clarity and increase secrecy," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(4), pages 558-581, May.
    5. Annisette, Marcia, 2003. "The colour of accountancy: examining the salience of race in a professionalisation project," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 28(7-8), pages 639-674.
    6. Haynes, Kathryn, 2008. "(Re)figuring accounting and maternal bodies: The gendered embodiment of accounting professionals," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 33(4-5), pages 328-348.
    7. Claire Dambrin & Caroline Lambert, 2008. "Mothering or auditing? The case of two Big Four in France," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 21(4), pages 474-506, May.
    8. Young, Joni J., 2015. "(En)gendering sustainability," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 67-75.
    9. Kokot-Blamey, Patrizia, 2021. "Mothering in accounting: Feminism, motherhood, and making partnership in accountancy in Germany and the UK," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    10. Malsch, Bertrand & Tessier, Sophie, 2015. "Journal ranking effects on junior academics: Identity fragmentation and politicization," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 84-98.
    11. Nicolas Raineri, 2015. "Business doctoral education as a liminal period of transition: Comparing theory and practice," Post-Print hal-03795997, HAL.
    12. Haynes, Kathryn, 2017. "Accounting as gendering and gendered: A review of 25 years of critical accounting research on gender," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 110-124.
    13. Kokot, Patrizia, 2015. "Let's talk about sex(ism): Cross-national perspectives on women partners’ narratives on equality and sexism at work in Germany and the UK," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 73-85.
    14. Raineri, Nicolas, 2015. "Business doctoral education as a liminal period of transition: Comparing theory and practice," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 99-107.
    15. Panozzo, Fabrizio, 1997. "The making of the good academic accountant," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 22(5), pages 447-480, July.
    16. Haynes, Kathryn, 2008. "Transforming identities: Accounting professionals and the transition to motherhood," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 19(5), pages 620-642.
    17. Bitbol-Saba, Nathalie & Dambrin, Claire, 2019. "“It’s not often we get a visit from a beautiful woman!” The body in client-auditor interactions and the masculinity of accountancy," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    18. Willows, Gizelle D. & October, Charnè, 2023. "Perceptions of retirement savings: Through the lens of Black amaXhosa women in South Africa," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    19. Yves Gendron, 2008. "Constituting the Academic Performer: The Spectre of Superficiality and Stagnation in Academia," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(1), pages 97-127.
    20. Nicolas Raineri, 2013. "The PhD program: between conformity and reflexivity," Post-Print hal-03796098, HAL.
    21. Heather Savigny, 2017. "Cultural Sexism is Ordinary: Writing and Re-Writing Women in Academia," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(6), pages 643-655, November.
    22. Lehman, Cheryl R., 2019. "Reflecting on now more than ever: Feminism in accounting," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    23. Susan K. Gardner, 2010. "Contrasting the Socialization Experiences of Doctoral Students in High- and Low-Completing Departments: A Qualitative Analysis of Disciplinary Contexts at One Institution," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 81(1), pages 61-81, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Catherine Esnard & Rebeca da Rocha Grangeiro, 2024. "Cultural Barriers to Women's Progression in Academic Careers: A France‐Brazil Comparison Through the Lens of the Queen Bee Phenomena," Post-Print hal-04750608, HAL.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Amondarain, Josune & Aldazabal, M. Edurne & Espinosa-Pike, Marcela, 2023. "Gender differences in the auditing stereotype and their influence on the intention to enter the profession," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).
    2. Fox, Kenneth A., 2018. "The manufacture of the academic accountant," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 1-20.
    3. Gendron, Yves & Rodrigue, Michelle, 2021. "On the centrality of peripheral research and the dangers of tight boundary gatekeeping," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    4. Haynes, Kathryn, 2017. "Accounting as gendering and gendered: A review of 25 years of critical accounting research on gender," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 110-124.
    5. Kokot-Blamey, Patrizia, 2021. "Mothering in accounting: Feminism, motherhood, and making partnership in accountancy in Germany and the UK," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    6. Galizzi, Giovanna & McBride, Karen & Siboni, Benedetta, 2024. "Patriarchy persists: Experiences of barriers to women's career progression in Italian accounting academia," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    7. Endenich, Christoph & Trapp, Rouven, 2018. "Signaling effects of scholarly profiles – The editorial teams of North American accounting association journals," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 4-23.
    8. Ala-Heikkilä, Virpi & Lämsä, Anna-Maija & Järvenpää, Marko, 2024. "Management accountants—A gendered image," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    9. Egan, Matthew & Voss, Barbara de Lima, 2023. "Redressing the Big 4’s male, pale and stale image, through LGBTIQ+ ethical praxis," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    10. Sheerin, Corina & Garavan, Thomas, 2022. "Female leaders as ‘Superwomen’: Post-global financial crisis media framing of women and leadership in investment banking in UK print media 2014–2016," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    11. Maran, Laura & Bigoni, Michele & Morrison, Leanne, 2023. "Shedding light on alternative interdisciplinary accounting research through journal editors’ perspectives and an analysis of recent publications," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    12. Steinhoff, Anne & Warren, Rebecca & Carter, David, 2024. "(Self-) accountability practices and the invisibilized non-able body: a case study of celiac disease," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    13. Grisard, Claudine, 2023. "Time, workload model and the entrepreneurial construction of the neoliberal academic," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    14. Khosa, Amrinder & Burch, Steven & Ozdil, Esin & Wilkin, Carla, 2020. "Current issues in PhD supervision of accounting and finance students: Evidence from Australia and New Zealand," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(5).
    15. Palea, Vera, 2015. "Journal Rankings and the Sustainability of Diversity in Accounting Research," Department of Economics and Statistics Cognetti de Martiis. Working Papers 201546, University of Turin.
    16. Palea, Vera, 2017. "Whither accounting research? A European view," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 59-73.
    17. Brooks, Chris & Schopohl, Lisa & Walker, James T., 2023. "Comparing perceptions of the impact of journal rankings between fields," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    18. Chahed, Yasmine & Charnock, Robert & Du Rietz, Sabina & Joseph Lennon, Niels & Palermo, Tommaso & Parisi, Cristiana & Pflueger, Dane & Sundström, Andreas & Toh, Dorothy & Yu, Lichen, 2025. "The value of research activities “other than” publishing articles: reflections on an experimental workshop series," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 121656, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    19. Bitbol-Saba, Nathalie & Dambrin, Claire, 2019. "“It’s not often we get a visit from a beautiful woman!” The body in client-auditor interactions and the masculinity of accountancy," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    20. Thomson, Kelly & Jones, Joanne, 2016. "Colonials in Camouflage: Metonymy, mimicry and the reproduction of the colonial order in the age of diversity," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 58-75.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:crpeac:v:99:y:2024:i:c:s1045235423000515. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/critical-perspectives-on-accounting/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.