Invisible Women? The Contribution of the Chicago School of Social Service Administration to Urban Analysis

Abstract

The theoretical contributions to urban studies by Edith Abbott and other members of the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago have not been recognised by urban geographers. Their research on social groups in the city and its relationship to Chicago sociology are discussed. Gender and politics appear to be critical in understanding the isolation of these women from the mainstream of urban social theory. Their case has more general relevance to the issue of the production of knowledge in academic institutions.