Title

The F Word: College Students' Definitions Of A Feminist

Keywords

Feminism; Gender; Identity; Perceptions; Social movements; Stereotypes

Abstract

Research indicates that most people espouse feminist ideologies, yet very few self-identify as feminists. This article examines the discrepancy between agreement with feminist principles and lack of identification with feminism by analyzing 270 female and male college students' definitions of feminists. We explored similarities and differences in definitions provided by self-identified feminists and nonfeminists. The results indicate that feminists and nonfeminists are equally likely to define a feminist as one who actively promotes gender equality in society and, less commonly, rejects traditional gender roles and burns bras. Feminists were more likely to define a feminist as one who supports gender equality, is female, and has positive personal characteristics. Nonfeminists were more likely to define a feminist as one who supports female superiority, dislikes men, discriminates based on gender, has negative personal characteristics, and is lesbian or butch. These results are discussed in the broader contexts of feminist identity and movement mobilization. © 2008 Eastern Sociological Society.

Publication Date

6-1-2008

Publication Title

Sociological Forum

Volume

23

Issue

2

Number of Pages

234-256

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1573-7861.2008.00072.x

Socpus ID

43049084772 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/43049084772

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