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Poststructuralism and nursing: uncomfortable bedfellows?
Author(s) -
Francis Becky
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
nursing inquiry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.66
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1440-1800
pISSN - 1320-7881
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1800.2000.00051.x
Subject(s) - parallels , nursing theory , reactionary , feminism , sociology , epistemology , divergence (linguistics) , nursing research , feminist theory , gender studies , nursing , medline , philosophy , politics , medicine , political science , law , linguistics , engineering , mechanical engineering
Poststructuralism and nursing: uncomfortable bedfellows? The benefits and limitations of the application of poststructuralist in nursing research are discussed. The debate concerning the use of poststructuralist theory in feminist research is drawn on to argue a divergence between a deconstructionist poststructuralism and nursing aims. It is argued that there are strong parallels between nursing and social movements such as feminism. The reasons why many feminist and nursing researchers have been attracted to poststructuralist theory are explored, as are the criticisms of poststructuralism as an inadequate, even reactionary theory. It is argued that poststructuralism is useful for examining or deconstructing existing discourse and practice, but incompatible and inadequate for research which aims to develop or change such discourses or practices.