Contemporary Feminist Research Articles

Girls and Gangs: A Decade on From the Firmin Report and What Has Changed?

Presenting data from the first phase of a U.K.-based 5-year mixed-methods study, we restart a decade-long conversation into Girls and Gangs and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The relationship between the two is not mutually exclusive and coupled with the recent optics surrounding youth violence and gendered violence, we discuss how the needs of women are being somewhat hindered as a result of U.K. governmental vacillation. We therefore consider the serious impact of VAWG and the concomitancy with youth violence/gangs. By drawing on contemporary feminist criminological theorizing, we aim to galvanize governmental responses to prioritize the needs of women at a time when policymakers are arguably poised to listen.

“I Am A Feminist, But . . .” Practicing Quiet Feminism in the Era of Everyday Backlash in South Korea

In this study, we investigate the practice of feminism among young South Korean women in the era of backlash. Drawing on interviews with 40 female college students in South Korea, we found that most of the participants self-identify as feminists who engage in feminist activities primarily in private offline settings on their college campuses. To understand this phenomenon of quiet feminism, which contradicts the global trend of postfeminist attitudes and online feminism, we link the students’ offline practice of everyday feminism with what we term everyday backlash. Our findings reveal that these young women have encountered widespread antifeminist sentiments in both online and offline everyday contexts since the rapid popularization of feminism in South Korea in the late 2010s. We argue that this pervasive everyday backlash not only motivates the students to create safe spaces within their college campuses but also discourages them from publicly disclosing their feminist identities. Through this research, we contribute to the literature on contemporary feminist practice and its relationship with backlash by offering a nuanced understanding of the local context in South Korea.

Formations of Feminist Strike: Connecting Diverse Practices, Contexts, and Geographies

This introduction to the special issue on Feminist Strike takes up the question of what remains marginalized and overlooked within dominant discourses on contemporary feminist protests. Drawing on experiences of and approaches to feminist refusal that involve questions of labour, we propose the ways in which conceptualizations of feminist strike can be employed as a lens to build a conversation between different practices, scales, and geographies, particularly across postcolonial and postsocialist contexts. Through a reading of Aliki Saragas’s film Strike a Rock (2017) about the women living around the Marikana miners’ settlement in the aftermath of a major strike, we explore how notions of feminist strike can be expanded by situating Black women’s struggles in South Africa within a long tradition of women’s resistance and showing how political resistance is bound to questions of reproductive work. To understand the intersection of postsocialist, post-conflict, and (pre-)Europeanization transformations, we consider the case of a large-scale strike and public demonstrations against the bankruptcy of the Croatian shipyard Uljanik that took place in 2018 and 2019. Our perspectives on the Marikana and the Uljanik strikes show how women in both places practise a politics of refusal and resistance against ruination, violence, and defeat. In the last section, we summarize the contents of the articles that comprise the special issue.

Muslim Women and the Politics of Representation (2002)*

This paper examines the politics of knowledge production as it relates to Muslim women in western literary traditions and contemporary feminist writing, with a view to understanding the political, ideological, and economic mediations that have historically framed these representations. The meta-narrative of the Muslim woman has shifted from the bold queens of medieval literature to colonial images of the seraglio’s veiled, secluded, and oppressed women. Contemporary feminist writing and popular culture have reproduced the colonial motifs of Muslim women, and these have regained currency in the aftermath of 9/11.Drawing upon the work of Mohja Kahf, this paper begins by mapping the evolution of the Muslim woman archetype in western literary traditions. The paper then examines how some contemporary feminist literature has reproduced in new ways the discursive tropes that have had historical currency in Muslim women’s textual representation. The analysis is attentive to the ways in which the cultural production of knowledge about Muslim women has been implicated historically by the relations of power between the Muslim world and the West. *This article was first published in the American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 19, no. 4 (2002): 1-22

Revisiting Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar as a feminist response to McCarthyism

The present article introduces a feminist and political analysis of Sylvia Plath’s novel The Bell Jar, considering it a cultural response to McCarthyism. In order to do that, the article focuses on the importance Plath gives to the Rosenberg’s case in the novel and particularly in the relevance Ethel Rosenberg’s death sentence had to awaken a female consciousness for the women of the 1950s in America. The female body turns fundamental for a feminist struggle that Plath creates in the novel to deconstruct the imposed female roles that helped McCarthy control the private lives of the Americans. Sixty years after Plath’s death and its publication, The Bell Jar becomes a fundamental text for understanding contemporary feminist literature.

The discursivity of the covers of The country of women, by writer Gioconda Belli on utopia and dystopia

Nicaraguan author Gioconda Belli, born in the city of Managua on December 9, 1948, wrote the novel The Country of Women. In addition to being an activist and militant, she is a writer who brings to her literary productions love for her country and the search for gender equity in public and private spaces. This article provides a brief discursive analysis of the covers of this novel, from the perspective of utopia and dystopia. The problem presented is: what is the discursive nature of the covers of O País das Mulheres about utopia and dystopia in the context of contemporary feminist critical theory in Latin America? The general objective is to reflect on the aspects of utopia and dystopia on the covers of the aforementioned book, observing whether they corroborate feminist critical theory and cultural studies in Latin America, reflecting on the discourses of utopia and dystopia. The methodology used for theoretical and analytical production is of a bibliographic nature, as authors of feminist literary criticism and utopia and/or dystopia were used. For the analysis, covers of the book O País das Mulheres were collected on the public domain website – Google Images – for analysis and discussion purposes on how the structure of patriarchy is deconstructed on these covers. From this approach, it was understood that the social roles of men and women are redefined in a utopian characteristic of equity and in a plan of hope and transformation, widely discussed and claimed by feminist literary criticism, in addition to also bringing dystopian moments necessary for the deconstruction of patriarchy. It is believed that this work is fundamental for thinking about Latin American feminist demands, as it brings up struggles that sister countries also experience in contemporary times, involving gender politics between men and women.

Crip-Queer Ethics of Care in Amruta Patil’s Kari and Sybil Lamb’s I’ve Got a Time Bomb

ABSTRACT This essay examines how crip-queer ethics of care is represented in two case studies from contemporary feminist graphic fiction. A comparative textual and theoretical analysis is conducted to examine diverse queer communities represented in Amruta Patil’s graphic novel Kari and Sybil Lamb’s illustrated novel I’ve Got a Time Bomb. Both novels use crip-queer aesthetics to deconstruct gender binaries and pave the way for a more radical, fluid, and inclusive culture. Using Robert McRuer, Carrie Sandahl, and Jack Halberstam’s theories of gender and disability, the essay examines how Patil and Lamb create protagonists that combat the very category of the “normative” in white heterosexist patriarchy. It reveals how a crip-queer ethics of care can create the possibility for more emancipated futures for the transnational queer and trans communities.

From Edmund Husserl to Audre Lorde: The Path to a Critical Phenomenology of Oppression

What corresponds, in contemporary feminist and decolonial usage, to the demand to “return to experience,” or rather “to the lived experiences” of oppression - a distant echo of Husserl’s call to return to the things themselves? Beauvoir and Fanon appear to have laid the first foundations of a critical phenomenology of oppression - or of a phenomenologization of social critique. Later, Young and Ahmed took up a similar approach, reading history and politics in bodies, and habitus and structures in intimate experience - an approach that is now discussed in the United States under the label of “Critical Phenomenology.” But is this still, really, phenomenology in the strong sense? This article contributes to an understanding of the path taken by the field of Critical Phenomenology from Husserl to Lorde, and of the shifts that can be observed both in the field and in the method that it presupposes. Finally it undertakes to clarify the horizon of this field, which is essentially concerned with the defence of a life that is both deeply corporeal and open to a total meaning.

WOMEN’S EQUALITY: THE FINAL REDEMPTION

The aim of this paper is to correct a historical error, one that I will argue is at the heart of the contemporary feminist movement: the ancient claim, grounded in a flawed understanding of the reproductive act, that woman is inferior to man. I will show that the lineage of this can be traced as far back as the pre-Socratic philosophers, finally finding its earliest concrete expression in a claim most have either dismissed, forgotten, or never heard: Aristotle’s argument that women are merely “malformed males” and are therefore “inferior to man”. The theory found support in the first century with a historical interpretation of Genesis 2:18-23, traceable in particular to the Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, Philo (BC 13-AD 54). Philo’s own theory about woman echoed that of Aristotle’s; his legacy includes the vague feeling that Scripture itself declares that, since woman is created after man, she is necessarily subservient to him. She becomes, as it were, the “second sex”. The combination of Aristotle and Philo proved too persuasive even for the mind of St. Thomas Aquinas and the theory accelerated and then spread through the university system inaugurated during the Middle Ages, subsequently informing the social structures and norms of Western civilization, going mostly unchallenged throughout human history, silently persisting even into the present time. This error represents what can be called a chronic “wound” in our intellectual tradition. And it is a wound that must be healed. I argue that the antidote is to correct this account and that it can be defeated on its own terms. Through the lens of Hebraic and Aristotelian-Thomistic anthropology, and building on the insights of St. John Paul II, I provide a robust, philosophically and theologically grounded account of man and woman from within the Catholic exegetical tradition, showing that man and woman are both equally human, equally endowed with intellect, will, and freedom while at the same time reflecting two different ways of being in the world.

An Analysis of the Significance, Social Relevance and Importance of “Sultana’s Dream” by Begum Rokeya; Then and Now

This analytical paper studies the impact of Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain's short narrative Sultana's Dream on traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Born into a traditional Bengali Muslim family, Begum Rokeya shed cultural expectations by advocating for women's education and literacy. Sultana’s Dream, a pioneering feminist science fiction work, satirises patriarchal society by imagining a utopian future with gender roles reversed. Through a critical evaluation of Sultana's Dream, this paper exhibits Rokeya's revolutionary views on gender equality, education, and intellectual empowerment, contrasting her work with contemporary feminist works such as Barbie (2023). The essay emphasises Rokeya's constant struggle for women's liberation and its continued relevance in today’s evolving world.

Relativism versus Universalism in Human Rights: A Construction in Contemporary Feminist Thought

Relativism versus Universalism in Human Rights: A Construction in Contemporary Feminist Thought

The Concept of Feminism within the Specificity of African Philosophy

This paper explores the evolution and impact of African feminist theories within the historical and socio-cultural context of the continent. It delves into pre-colonial gender roles, illustrating the significant influence and authority women held in various African societies, such as the Akan and Igbo communities. The study examines the disruption of these roles by colonialism, which imposed Western patriarchal structures and marginalised women’s economic and political participation. Post-colonial developments highlight the emergence of feminist movements that strive to address these historical injustices and advocate for gender equality. Indigenous feminist theories such as Motherism, Stiwanism, and Ubuntu Feminism are emphasised, showcasing their unique approaches that blend traditional African values with contemporary feminist ideals. These theories and movements provide a nuanced understanding of gender dynamics, advocating for reforms that resonate with African cultural contexts while addressing modern challenges such as economic disenfranchisement, access to education, and gender-based violence. The paper underscores the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge systems with feminist principles to achieve a more inclusive and equitable society.

Beyond Ophelia: A Deep Dive into the Agency and Constraints of Female Characters in Hamlet

This paper explores the nuanced portrayal of female characters in William Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet. With a focus on Ophelia and Queen Gertrude, often overshadowed by the titular character, the paper employs a multidimensional approach. It navigates historical and cultural contexts, examining the socio-cultural norms of Elizabethan England and the role of women in Shakespearean drama. The in-depth character analyses of Ophelia and Gertrude unveil their agency and constraints, exploring the impact of external forces on Ophelia’s agency and the Queen’s dilemma as both a mother and a queen. The exploration extends to the absence of prominent female characters in Fortinbras’ narrative, the significance of the play within a play, and a comparative analysis of female characters across Shakespeare’s plays. Reception and criticism are surveyed, from early moralistic interpretations to contemporary feminist readings, offering a historical trajectory of evolving perspectives. The paper concludes by summarizing key findings, emphasizing the profound impact of societal constraints on female agency, and suggesting avenues for future research.

AMERICAN WOMEN WRITERS AND THE POWER OF REPRESENTATION

The paper focuses on the representation of women in several short stories by American women writers with a special emphasis on the notion of symbolic power or the power of representation. The theoretical framework is based on the works of cultural theorists such as Stuart Hall and Paul du Gay and their explanation and development of the notions of symbolic power and representation practices understood as the expressions of the power of words. Furthermore, Edward Said’s and Homi Bhabha’s considerations of the relationship between power and representation are juxtaposed with the feminist critics’ (Cixous, Irigaray, Gilbert and Gubar, Rivers, Gill) views on the importance of acquiring one’s own voice in the process of (self-)representation and (self-)empowerment via written narratives. The corpus consists of three short stories by important American women writers – Kate Chopin, Mary Wilkins Freeman and Susan Glaspell – written and published towards the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. The selected short stories are not only written by female authors but also feature main female characters and touch upon the issues of male/female power relations and the female voice and self representation, i.e. the power of words in the female narrative of the self. The analysis of the proposed corpus reveals common themes and narrative strategies used by female authors to address the issues of symbolic power and (self-)empowerment in line with some of the contemporary feminist debates and concerns.

Exploring Gender Equality: A Comparative Study of Contemporary Feminism, Islamic Perspective, and Feminism in Sufism

Exploring Gender Equality: A Comparative Study of Contemporary Feminism, Islamic Perspective, and Feminism in Sufism

Vrednosni pluralizam u romanima Crni psi i Subota Ijana Makjuana

Ian McEwan, an influential and provocative British novelist and short-story writer, has addressed a variety of issues, distinguishing himself as a socially and politically engaged author. This paper explores contemporary liberalism as depicted in two of McEwan's novels, Black Dogs and Saturday, both charged with moral complexity. The analysis is approached from the perspective of value pluralism, which recognises the plurality of morally correct yet incompatible and incommensu-rable principles or values. These values may conflict with each other, but since all are correct, the conflicts remain unresolved. It is the author's belief that the novels highlight value pluralism through characters who, while navigating a pluralist environment, disclose the challenges and limitations of liberal democracies. The theoretical context this paper relies on is based on ideas of Isaiah Berlin and his notion of value pluralism.

The other and gender identity: a contemporary feminist commentary on psychoanalysis

The relation between psychoanalysis and feminism has been the focus of attention in the French academy, and among them, the issue of gender identity (sexualité) has been the focus of feminist criticism of the classical theory of psychoanalysis. In response to the above debate, I believe that there is a dimension that cannot be ignored, that is the relationship between otherness and gender identity. To show this dimension, I will first examine the concept of "homosocial desire" proposed by Sedgwick and Chizuko Ueno. Second, I will sort out the passages in Freud and Lacan that may be relevant to this issue. My argument is, first, that developments within psychoanalysis from Freud to Lacan do provide new foundations for theories of gender identity; second, that the issue of sociality behind gender identity also poses a challenge for psychoanalytic theory.

Alienation and Violence in Beatriz Cabur’s Plays

In the last decades of the 21st century, the growing interest in legitimising contemporary Spanish female playwrights is evident in the context of contemporary feminist theories. This research explores Beatriz Cabur's plays, published and performed nationally and internationally, insofar as they respond to some of the current feminist demands regarding trauma. This study delves into the need for appropriate critical and analytical models for the study of theatrical experimentalism, which, in addition to its academic value, addresses current feminist demands. The development of this study is supported by clear thematic links that are established, from which it is possible to delve into the implicit and explicit feminisms of contemporary Spanish theatre, as well as the shaping, development, and legitimisation of contemporary feminine identities.

Ta dziwna różnica, zwana płciową

The purpose of this article is to reflect on the way narratives are produced in contemporary feminism dominated by the paradigmatic split between feminist and queer theory. This results not only in the inability to produce new concepts revealing the common genealogies of feminism and queer, but also in an internal division within social movements. Meanwhile, French feminist theory from the 1970s provides evidence that the epistemological rupture thesis is untenable. Paradoxically, it is gender difference, based on and at the same time transcending the psychoanalytic model, that contains the queer potential capable of breaking this impasse. The discovery of this common heritage of feminism and queer could therefore abound in new alliances and solidarities, not only at the theoretical level. Keywords: French feminism, queer theory, gender difference, bisexuality

Back to Marx: reflections on the feminist crisis at the crossroads of neoliberalism and neoconservatism

Contemporary feminism is currently at a crossroads, facing a concerted onslaught from both neoliberal and neoconservative ideologies. While these ideologies are inherently different—neoliberalism often appropriates feminist language to serve capitalist ends, and neoconservatism typically attacks feminist principles—they similarly reinforce the traditional role of families as providers of welfare. This crisis of alienation in feminism is characterized by three key factors: the gender divisions brought about by feminism’s shift to identity politics, the obscuring of feminist critique of capitalism by the spread of commercialization, and the instrumentalization of feminism in politics. These challenges have resulted in increased class antagonism and the further marginalization of lower-income women, reinforcing one another. To address this multifaceted crisis, a return to Marxist thought is deemed necessary for women’s liberation. The historical foundation of women’s issues can be traced back to class oppression, which stems from the primacy of material production over reproductive labor. In this context, gender oppression becomes an instrument that perpetuates class oppression. Only by interpreting women’s bodily autonomy and power from the perspective of material life and class reproduction, and by uniting various social forces against capitalism with practical actions, can feminism regain its vitality. Although the current global women’s movement is full of internal divisions, contradictions, and struggles, there is still hope for achieving unity. When the day comes, history will confirm that true gender equality is not merely the promotion of individual choice for a few, but the emancipation of all, and Marxism will be recorded once again in the history of human liberation. To accomplish this grand objective, the vital step is to end the marginalization of Marxist Feminism.