Is Feminist Identity Beneficial for Women’s Career Aspirations? Examining Feminist Identity Profiles

Abstract

Using latent profile analysis, we examined whether different feminist identity profiles are differentially related to career-related cognitions among women. We identified profiles of feminist identity based on feminist attitudes, feminist self-identification, and participation in feminist activism. In addition, we examined whether the profiles are differentially related to women’s career aspirations, anticipated family-interference-with-work, and willingness to compromise career for family. In Study 1, three profiles of feminist identity (Non-labeler, Passive feminist, and Active feminist) emerged from responses of 282 female undergraduate and graduate students ( Mage = 20.47). In Study 2, three profiles of feminist identity (Non-feminist, Non-labeler, and Active feminist) emerged from responses of 490 adults recruited from Mechanical Turk ( Mage = 38.62). Results showed that the profiles characterized by stronger feminist self-identification were more positively related to women’s career-related cognitions than the profiles characterized by weaker feminist self-identification. Moreover, the profiles characterized by stronger participation in feminist activism were more positively associated with career-related cognitions. These findings suggest a potential benefit of feminist identity and participation in feminist activism for women’s career aspirations.