Gender and the Journal. For centuries, women have written journals and diaries to explore their sense of self and to maintain their social networks, although these texts, unlike many men's journals, were never intended for publication. More recently, journal writing has become an accepted part of composition pedagogy because it is seen as fostering pre-writing processes. Social constructionist theory has also supported journal writing through the idea that discourse is constitutive of identity. Expressive writing in journals thus becomes an important way to learn and grow.
Feminist theory supports journal writing as a way for women muted by society to come to voice.
Research shows that women students are often more comfortable with journal writing and write more than men. Nevertheless, academics remain uneasy with the expressive, personal aspects of journal writing and tend to emphasize its academic function. Journal writing should be treated more seriously as literature and not marginalized. Thinking Feminist, Thinking Black. Hooks describes her experiences challenging race, gender, and class barriers to higher education.