Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Introduction to Special Issue: Exploring the Emergence of Moderate Feminism(s) in Contemporary Organizations

Lewis, Patricia, Adamson, Maria, Biese, Ingrid, Kelan, Elisabeth (2019) Introduction to Special Issue: Exploring the Emergence of Moderate Feminism(s) in Contemporary Organizations. Gender, Work & Organization, (26). pp. 1063-1072. ISSN 0968-6673. E-ISSN 1468-0432. (doi:10.1111/gwao.12407) (KAR id:76445)

Abstract

Drawing on the lens of postfeminism, the emergence of moderate forms of feminism in organizational contexts is explored. Two versions of postfeminism are depicted - the first version which highlights the emphasis placed on the "pastness" of feminism and how as a form of thought and action it is understood as obsolete. The claim of a repudiation of feminism is a central characteristic of early interpretations of postfeminism and presented as a defining feature of this discursive formation. The second version makes visible a shift in postfeminism's narrative which rejects the suggestion that there has been a disavowal of feminism, claiming instead that it has been rehabilitated as 'cool' and 'progressive'. The form of feminism which is treated as valuable is one which is based on the liberal tenets of individualism with an emphasis on individual agency and the rejection of collective action. An instrumental and personalised form of feminism is privileged with feminist action transformed into '...an inner drive, a determination to meet self-directed goals' (McRobbie, 2015: 12). This discussion presents the context for the nine papers contained in the special issue all of which provoke discussion about the presence of feminism(s) in contemporary organizations.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/gwao.12407
Projects: Exploring Gendered Inclusion in Contemporary Organizations
Uncontrolled keywords: Moderate Feminism(s) postfeminism, neoliberalism,
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Department of Leadership and Management
Funders: Economic and Social Research Council (https://ror.org/03n0ht308)
Depositing User: Patricia Lewis
Date Deposited: 13 Sep 2019 09:14 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 17:20 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/76445 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.