Full metadata
Title
Postfeminist distortions: complicated discourses of feminist identity, choice and sexuality
Description
In what has been coined the postfeminist era, successes of the second wave feminist movement have been distorted by sociopolitical and economic structures to proclaim that sexism and inequality no longer exist within liberal American society, and thus feminism as a movement is no longer necessary. While theoretical and quantitative work has examined women’s relationship with feminist identity, limited research exists on women’s subjective, qualitative accounts of feminist identity. Furthermore, there is a dearth of research on women’s subjective identification across the spectrum of feminist identity, particularly from non-college and non-white populations. Using thematic analysis this study critically analyzed 20 qualitative interviews from a community sample of women in a large Southwest city (Age range: 18-52; Mean age: 35.35, SD: 12.0). Narratives revealed four themes surrounding women’s identification with feminism and conceptions of sexuality: 1) Feminist self-labeling associated with a collective identity 2) Empowerment as a personal endeavor 3) Female empowerment and relationships with men and 4) Investments in femininity and sexual empowerment. This data supports the notion that feminist ideals of equality and agency have been distorted by postfeminist and neoliberal ideology to prevent women from identifying as feminists. Additionally, data postulate that this distortion has permeated ideologies of feminist women, thereby discouraging collective action for change.
Date Created
2017
Contributors
- Carlyle, Madison S (Author)
- Fahs, Breanne (Thesis advisor)
- Swank, Eric (Committee member)
- Przybylo, Ela (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Topical Subject
Resource Type
Extent
ii, 54 pages
Language
eng
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Peer-reviewed
No
Open Access
No
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.44301
Statement of Responsibility
by Madison S. Carlyle
Description Source
Viewed on October 31, 2017
Level of coding
full
Note
thesis
Partial requirement for: M.A., Arizona State University, 2017
bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 48-54)
Field of study: Social justice and human rights
System Created
- 2017-06-01 02:06:53
System Modified
- 2021-08-26 09:47:01
- 3 years 2 months ago
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