Gender politics in the lion's den

Abstract

A feminist preferred qualitative methodology was implementated to ascertain how women felt about their experiences in the Lions Association, especially in relation to membership and status, vis-a-vis the all-male clubs. Specifically methods of interviews, questionnaires, personal letters and conversations were utilized to see how the lack of recognition was reconciled with the long association of women and their significant contributions. Originally the lack of validation was condoned because the criterion for membership was premised on the exclusion of women. When women were allowed membership it was in clubs that had inferior status, but when Lions International was forced, by legislation, to drop their 'men only' policy and admit women, some women refused the invitation, and have resisted even when directed by Lions International to do so, choosing to remain in their 'subordinate' club because of the politics of gender.