ABSTRACT
Feminist phase theory provides a classification system for analyzing any evolution in our thinking about women across the disciplines. The two-fold purpose of this chapter is, first, to suggest further avenues through which to apply Tetreault's (1985) groundbreaking work and, second, to propose a sixth stage relevant to public relations research. Feminist phase theory defines five phases of such research: male scholarship, compensatory, bifocal, feminist, and multifocal. Now, I would propose adding a sixth, integrative phase. That stage, I would argue, will conceptualize women and men who work in public relations not only as communication professionals, but also as human beings often struggling to integrate their work, their family, and their community lives.
