CULTURAL MATERIALISM: A RESEARCH STRATEGY FOR EXPLAINING THE STATUS OF NURSING IN AMERICAN SOCIETY.
Contributors: University Of Hawaii.
Published: 1990
Number of pages: 260
Subjects: Anthropology, Cultural.; American Studies.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The profession of nursing provides an essential service society, yet the importance of its contribution has not been fully recognized. This study examines the effectiveness of cultural materialism as a research strategy in explaining the relationship between the image of nursing and the infrastructural conditions of American society in selected time periods. Cultural materialism postulates that the material infrastructure of society determines human activity.

This study correlated Margolis's work on the role of women during these historical periods with the research of Beatrice and Philip Kalisch on image of nursing. These data were then compared with demographic statistics from the United States Census which identified the status of the American economy in the various decades. Structured interviews were conducted to obtain life stories of nurses. These life stories illustrated the impact of the economic conditions in each decade.

The data suggest that the image of nursing in given eras correlates with the infrastructural conditions of the time. The fluctuations in public perception have been impacted by the economic situation and women's perceived role in the work force. In periods of relative prosperity, a negative image of nursing prevailed. Women's place was thought to be in the home and their contribution to the work force was not deemed a crucial necessity. However, during depressed economic periods when women's contribution to family income was required, nursing's image was positive.

It is concluded that nursing must be freed from its stereotype as a profession solely populated by women so that its image is linked to performance and not gender. A productive approach would be to implement educational policy which mandates the requirement of professional education to prepare nurses for practice.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-01, Section: A, page: 0205.

Thesis (ED.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, 1990.

School code: 0085.