Loyalism, Women and Standpoint Theory

Abstract

Most recent studies of Loyalism in Northern Ireland have focused on the nature and development of Loyalist paramilitaries and their methods, ideology and attitudes to the peace process. This article argues that the nature of Loyalist paramilitarism is primarily masculinist and that there is a perspective that has gone generally unheard from women in Loyalist communities. Using standpoint theory, evidence from interviews with women in Loyalist communities associated with Belfast is analysed and a picture is formed that suggests that there are gendered attitudes towards women who become involved in the conflict through paramilitary organisations and that paramilitaries are not representative of their communities. It is concluded that researchers need to bear in mind the gender dimensions of their work and be aware of who is present and who is absent when research is being carried out.

Keywords:

• women
• ex-prisoners
• Loyalism
• standpoint theory
• feminist methodology
• Northern Ireland

Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to Belfast City Council Good Relations Unit for funding the research, to Professor Beverley Milton-Edwards for helpful comments on an early draft of the article and to the two anonymous reviewers.