The Neoliberal Feminist

Abstract

This chapter explores the contours of an increasingly dominant variant of feminism. Concentrating on Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s bestselling book Lean In, the chapter proposes that this hugely popular feminist manifesto offers insight into the ways in which the husk of liberalism has been mobilized to spawn a neoliberal feminism as well as a new feminist subject. Disavowing the oppressive socioeconomic and cultural structures shaping the lives of the majority of women as well as liberal feminism’s call for political and legislative change to redress inequality, this feminist subject accepts full responsibility for her own well-being and self-care, which is predicated on crafting a felicitous work-family balance. Neoliberal feminism consequently hollows out the potential of mainstream liberal feminism to provide a critique of the social injustices women face and, in this way, further entrenches neoliberalism.