Female Autonomy Research Articles

Feminist expression in American country music a case study of Taylor Swift

This article employs a feminist theoretical perspective and utilizes textual analysis to examine the feminist expressions within the music of American female musician Taylor Swift. Through analyzing the lyrical content of several songs imbued with typical gender themes such as “Fearless,” “Speak Now,” “Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince,” “The Man,” and “All Too Well,” this study reveals that Taylor Swift’s music explores themes of female autonomy and advocates for increased awareness of gender inequality issues. In her feminist discourse, Taylor’s songs integrate emotional nuances from personal experiences alongside critiques of societal gender oppression.Through these analyses, this study aims to uncover the expression of gender consciousness in musical compositions and elucidate the interactive relationship between musical works and feminist discourse and construction. Additionally, this research provides insights into feminist expressions within American country music through Taylor Swift’s compositions, thereby contributing significantly to the exploration of music’s influence on gender identity and women’s rights.

Maternal employment in high-value agriculture and child nutrition: Evidence from the Ethiopian cut-flower industry

In many low- and middle-income countries, agri-food supply chains are transforming rapidly. One important feature of this transformation is growth in certain high-value agricultural subsectors, such as horticulture and cut-flowers for export. Growth in high-value agriculture often creates new employment opportunities, especially for women. More employment can lead to higher rural incomes, but the broader implications for social welfare are not yet sufficiently understood. Here, we use survey data from Ethiopia to investigate the effects of women’s employment in floriculture on child nutrition, focusing on children aged 0–5 years. We develop and estimate endogenous switching regressions to account for possible endogeneity. Our results suggest that maternal employment in floriculture negatively affects child height-for-age and weight-for-age z-scores (HAZ and WAZ). Exploration of the underlying mechanisms reveals that floriculture employment may influence time allocation, dietary quality, income, and female financial autonomy. Maternal employment is negatively associated with time spent on childcare and consumption of animal-sourced foods.

Spousal age differences and women’s contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa

BackgroundThis study examines the likelihood of contraceptive use among married women in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the influence of spousal age difference.MethodsBinary logistic regressions predicting contraceptive use were estimated using a sample of 478,193 women in first union from 29 sub-Saharan African countries spanning two decades from 1999 to 2022. The data were sourced from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS).ResultsThe regression results indicate that spousal age difference is negatively correlated with the likelihood of contraceptive use with each additional year reducing the odds of using contraception by 1.1 percent. The association between the two variables has remained largely consistent over time. The findings also show substantial variation in the influence of spousal age differences on contraceptive use ranging from statistically significant and negative odds in some countries to not statistically significant but positive odds in others. Measures of female autonomy, education and healthcare decision-making, had a modest influence on the size and significance of the association between spousal age difference and contraceptive use.ConclusionsThe relationship between spousal age difference and contraceptive use is of concern given the prevalence of age-disparate relationships in the context. These findings add to the literature on the potentially negative implications of age-disparate relationships, while highlighting that the association is not uniformly negative across countries.

Gender Ideology and Women's Autonomy in Colleen Hoover's Regretting You

This study investigates the issue of women's autonomy through Colleen Hoover's novel Regretting You. With MacKinnon's dominance theory as a tool, this research paper explores the impact of patriarchal societal norms on power dynamics between men and women. The study's objective is to examine how gender ideology shapes women's choices without their awareness. By investigating the consequences of these norms, this study aims to focus on how sexual dominance inhibits female autonomy. The study employs a qualitative research method, specifically close textual analysis with thematic coding, to identify recurring motifs and character archetypes. Through this approach, the study examines how the novel portrays women as oppressed, victimized, and objectified within the dominant cultural discourse. The findings of the study indicate that internalized patriarchal norms have a significant influence on female characters' attitudes towards domestic violence. Ultimately, this study emphasizes how systemic oppression impedes women's ability to make autonomous choices and underscores the importance of addressing issues such as domestic violence and sexual domination through the experiences of female characters.

Does the digital economy improve female autonomy?

Based on China's long-term implementation of gender equality, the rapid development of the digital economy has provided new opportunities for improving female autonomy and releasing the “gender dividend”. This study explores the impact of the digital economy on female autonomy, using digital economy index we constructed and the 2014-2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data. We find that the development of the digital economy can significantly improve female autonomy, both economically and spiritually. Meanwhile, the digital economy can also alleviate the “marriage penalty” and “motherhood penalty”. Furthermore, we find that digital economy's career guarantee effect and capital consolidation effect are important mechanisms, which can promote women's participation in employment, as well as enable them to have higher human capital and social capital.

Preserving choice: weaving femininity and autonomy through egg freezing discourse on Xiaohongshu

ABSTRACT This paper provides a critical investigation into the discourse of egg freezing on Xiaohongshu, a prominent social media platform in China, to uncover the complexities of female identity, reproductive autonomy, and consumer narratives within this context. Employing Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA), it examines the discursive construction of self by single Chinese women who share their egg freezing experiences online. This study scrutinizes the semiotic resources utilized in these narratives, including textual and visual elements, to reveal how individuals craft their identities in relation to emerging reproductive technologies. The analysis identifies dominant themes in the discourse, such as ‘negotiation of motherhood’, ‘women’s empowerment’, and ‘technologization of egg freezing’, juxtaposing these against the backdrop of China’s market socialism and shifting social attitudes. By engaging with the posts of Xiaohongshu bloggers, the research dissects how these women articulate their journeys, challenging traditional paradigms and contributing to ongoing debates about women’s rights and feminist ideologies in the context of advanced reproductive technologies.

“A Little Happy Sound”: Collective Labor, Ecocide, and Soundscapes in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s Herland

Abstract: Previous scholarship on Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s novel Herland (1915) has compellingly argued that the ecological space in the novel reflects an extension of an idealized domestic sphere, as a site where Gilman’s problematic eugenic beliefs manifest through the careful conservation of a park-like space. This analysis tends, however, to be wholly ocularcentric, grounded in the aesthetics of the verdant environment that features in Gilman’s narrative. As a necessary sensory departure from a visually preoccupied body of scholarship, I examine the barren sonic portrait that Gilman creates through her essayistic prose, arguing that female autonomy, individual orality, and bio-diverse ecological space become problematically compromised. Drawing on the intersections between feminist scholarship on Gilman’s novel, soundscape studies, and ecocritical frameworks in the environmental humanities, this essay aims to sonically deconstruct the problematic eugenic discourse that underpins Gilman’s ultimate human fantasy.

The Effects of Social Restraints and Gender Roles on the Female Characters in Sons and Lovers

Abstract: This study looks at how societal norms and gender roles are portrayed in D.H. Lawrence's novel Sons and Lovers and how they affect the female characters. In the sociocultural backdrop of late Victorian England, this study examines the complexity of female identity, agency, and autonomy through a thorough analysis of the three main female characters: Gertrude Morel, Miriam Leivers, and Clara Dawes. Using theoretical frameworks from social constructivism, gender studies, and feminist theory, the study explores how societal norms and gender roles influence the relationships, ideas, and behaviors of the female characters. By analyzing the narrative strategies, symbolism, locations, objects, and language that Lawrence uses, the research clarifies the novel's complex representation of social norms and gender expectations. The article also addresses Sons and Lovers applicability to current debates concerning gender issues and social standards, emphasizing the novel's lasting value as a piece of literature that elicits contemplation on the survival of patriarchal systems and the necessity of social transformation. The article concludes by outlining potential directions for future investigation and study in this field, such as interdisciplinary studies that look at the intersections between gender expectations and other identity markers and comparative assessments of gender portrayal in other literary works.

How Do Partners Make Pregnancy-Related Decisions? Understanding the Decision-Making Process of Couples: A Scoping Review

This scoping review seeks to improve our understanding of how pregnant women and their partners make decisions related to pregnancy. A total of 43 articles were included in which four themes were identified: [1] decision-making authority, [2] communication between decisional partners, [3] informational needs/knowledge, and [4] involvement/support of the partner. The extent to which couples make decisions together depends on cultural aspects, existing power relationships, the amount of information received by both partners, the type of decision and the consequences of the decision. While many male partners prioritize female autonomy in pregnancy-related decisions, contextual factors such as income and cultural influences can affect women’s autonomy. Additionally, the research emphasizes the importance of couple autonomy, asserting that joint decision-making can positively contribute to the decision-making process of couples navigating pregnancy-related choices.

Women’s involvement in decision-making and association with reproductive health behaviors: findings from a cross-sectional survey in Niger

BackgroundThough women in Niger are largely responsible for the familial health and caretaking, prior research shows limited female autonomy in healthcare decisions. This study extends current understanding of women’s participation in decision-making and its influence on reproductive health behaviors.MethodsCross-sectional survey with married women (15–49 years, N = 2,672) in Maradi and Zinder Niger assessed women’s participation in household decision-making in health and non-health issues. Analyses examined [1] if participation in household decision-making was associated with modern contraceptive use, antenatal care (ANC) attendance, and skilled birth attendance at last delivery and [2] what individual, interpersonal, and community-level factors were associated with women’s participation in decision-making.ResultsOnly 16% of the respondents were involved—either autonomously or jointly with their spouse—in all three types of household decisions: (1) large purchase, (2) visiting family/parents, and (3) decisions about own healthcare. Involvement in decision making was significantly associated with increased odds of current modern contraceptive use [aOR:1.36 (95% CI: 1.06–1.75)] and four or more ANC visits during their recent pregnancy [aOR:1.34 (95% CI: 1.00-1.79)], when adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics. There was no significant association between involvement in decision-making and skilled birth attendance at recent delivery. Odds of involvement in decision-making was significantly associated with increasing age and household wealth status, listening to radio, and involvement in decision-making about their own marriage.ConclusionWomen’s engagement in decision-making positively influences their reproductive health. Social and behavior change strategies to shift social norms and increase opportunities for women’s involvement in household decision making are needed. For example, radio programs can be used to inform specific target groups on how women’s decision-making can positively influence reproductive health while also providing specific actions to achieve change. Opportunities exist to enhance women’s voice either before women enter marital partnerships or after (for instance, using health and social programming).

Gender, Borders and Boundaries in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre

The concept of borders and boundaries is one of the important themes in English literature. It might refer to national borders or divisions within countries or symbolize physical barriers, societal divisions or personal limitations. Metaphorically, borders and boundaries might mean the boundaries based on caste, color, creed or sex or represent expectations and prejudices or search for selfhood and identity. Writers from the marginalized communities take up the themes of construction of identity in their writing. Similarly, African-American writers, while addressing the issues of race, gender and class, illustrate their struggle and experiences. Their own lives serve as an inspiration to write about the trauma of displacement and slavery. The English novel in the 18th and 19th century largely focused on women primarily confined to the roles of wife, mother and homemaker. However, some novelists such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Aphra Behn challenged gender stereotypes and advocated for greater female autonomy and intellectual freedom. Similarly, Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Thomas Hardy, Charlotte Bronte etc. questioned the prevailing attitudes and provided a fresh perspective on gender issues. Whereas Jane Austen celebrates intelligent and strong-willed female characters who resist societal pressures, Gaskell delves into the lives of working-class women and those on the margins of society. Similarly, Hardy chooses the sub-title A Pure Woman for his novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles in order to question the Victorian norms. The paper discusses Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre and analyses how the novel embodies rebellion against societal constraints by presenting an unconventional heroine who is able to move beyond boundaries and carve her path amid restrictions imposed by society in which she lives.

Cultural Tapestry and Female Narratives: Unveiling Identity Crisis in Shashi Deshpande's That Long Silence and Bharati Mukherjee's Desirable Daughters

This paper delves into the intricate exploration of cultural tapestry and female narratives by analysing how identity crisis is portrayed in That Long Silence by Shashi Deshpande and Desirable Daughters by Bharati Mukherjee. Both novels provide deep insights into the challenges faced by the characters as they negotiate their gender roles and cultural heritage in the face of opposing cultural backgrounds. Deshpande and Mukherjee give a comprehensive representation of the problems encountered by women in contemporary Indian culture as well as in foreign lands by deftly combining themes of tradition, modernism, and female autonomy. This research aims to contribute to a better understanding of the changing dynamics of gender and cultural identity in modern literature by analysing these literary works in comparison.

Women’s autonomy and maternal health decision making in Kenya: implications for service delivery reform - a qualitative study

BackgroundMaternal and neonatal outcomes in, Kakamega County is characterized by a maternal mortality rate of 316 per 100,000 live births and a neonatal mortality rate of 19 per 1,000 live births. In 2018, approximately 70,000 births occurred in the county, with 35% at home, 28% in primary care facilities, and 37% in hospitals. A maternal and child health service delivery redesign (SDR) that aims to reorganize maternal and newborn health services is being implemented in Kakamega County in Kenya to improve the progress of these indicators. Research has shown that women’s ability to make decisions (voice, agency, and autonomy) is critical for gender equality, empowerment and an important determinant of access and utilization. As part of the Kakamega SDR process evaluation, this study sought to understand women’s processes of decision-making in seeking maternal health care and how these affect women’s ability to access and use antenatal, delivery, and post-natal services.MethodsWe adapted the International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) conceptual framework for reproductive empowerment to focus on the interrelated concepts of “female autonomy”, and “women’s agency” with the latter incorporating ‘voice’, ‘choice’ and ‘power’. Our adaptation did not consider the influence of sexual relationships and leadership on SRH decision-making. We conducted key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, small group interviews and focus group discussions with pregnant women attending Antenatal clinics, women who had delivered, women attending post-natal clinics, and men in Kakamega County. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data in NVivo 12.ResultsThe results revealed notable findings across three dimensions of agency. Women with previous birthing experiences, high self-esteem, and support from their social networks exhibited greater agency. Additionally, positive previous birthing experiences were associated with increased confidence in making reproductive health choices. Women who had control over financial resources and experienced respectful communication with their partners exhibited higher levels of agency within their households. Distance relational agency demonstrated the impact of health system factors and socio-cultural norms on women’s agency and autonomy. Finally, women who faced barriers such as long waiting times or limited staff availability experienced reduced agency in seeking healthcare.ConclusionsIndividual agency, immediate relational agency, and distance relational agency all play crucial roles in shaping women’s decision-making power and control over their utilization of maternal health services. This study offers valuable insights that can guide the ongoing implementation of an innovative service delivery redesign model, emphasizing the critical need for developing context-specific strategies to promote women’s voices for sustained use.

Debuit in te officiosior esse: Power, Place, and Accusations of Prostitution in Late Republican Rome

Abstract: This article explores the cognitive link among female autonomy, political activity, sexual status, and place in the late Roman Republic. The intersection of non-elite status and political engagement could shape the public perception of a woman's moral status and, in turn, could make scandalous her presence in certain places—physical and metaphorical. When the political activities of a woman such as Praecia, Chelidon, or Volumnia brought her into contact with the men and women of the city's senatorial elite, she left herself open to accusations—warranted or not—of prostitution.

EXPLORING FEMALE IDENTITY IN KATE CHOPIN’S NOVELS

This study delves into the profound exploration of female identity in the works of Kate Chopin, focusing on key novels such as "The Awakening" and "The Story of an Hour." Through a meticulous analysis of Chopin's characters, themes, and narrative techniques, this research sheds light on the complexities of female identity, autonomy, and self-discovery in a patriarchal society.By closely examining the characters of Edna Pontellier and Louise Mallard, this study reveals the depth of complexity in Chopin's portrayal of women who defy societal norms and grapple with the tensions between personal desires and societal expectations. Themes of autonomy, agency, and the quest for self-realization emerge as central motifs in Chopin's exploration of female identity, inviting readers to contemplate the challenges faced by women seeking to define themselves outside of traditional roles.Drawing upon literary criticism, historical context, and feminist theory, this research offers a comprehensive analysis of how Kate Chopin's novels challenge and redefine traditional notions of female identity. Through a nuanced examination of female characters' struggles, aspirations, and triumphs, this study highlights the enduringrelevance of Chopin's works in inspiring conversations about gender, autonomy, and the complexities of female identity in literature and society.

Respondent Demographics and Contraceptive Use Patterns in the United States: A National Survey of Family Growth Analysis.

Contraception is an important tool for helping to prevent both unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Medical costs related to STIs are high and impose a large burden on both patients and the healthcare system. In addition, unintended pregnancies account for a large portion of pregnancies in the United States (US) and are associated with adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. Both STIs and unintended pregnancies are continuous public health concerns, and this study aims to identify patterns in contraceptive method use in relation to specific social determinants of health. Utilizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s 2017-2019 National Survey of Family Growth report on current contraceptive status, we isolated data from 3,572 respondents who reported using one of the following contraceptive methods: oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), male condoms, partner's vasectomy, female sterilization, withdrawal, medroxyprogesterone acetate injections (Depo-Provera), hormonal implant, or an intrauterine device (IUD). We analyzed these contraceptive methods amongage, race, education, marital status, and insurance status. Data were analyzed in RStudio 2022.02.0 (RStudio Team, RStudio: Integrated Development for R. RStudio, PBC, Boston, MA) through a test of equal proportions for a significance of P< 0.05. A concurrent Yates' continuity correction was performed in order to limit erroneous significant findings based on small sample sizes where applicable.The study conception and data analysis were performed independently with oversight from our preceptor at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, Brandon, Florida. There were statistically significant differences for all our selected methods of contraception across different age groups. There were statistically significant differences for OCPs, male condoms, partner's vasectomy, female sterilization, Depo-Provera, hormonal implant, and IUD across different race groups and different insurance statuses. There were statistically significant differences for OCPs, male condoms, partner's vasectomy, female sterilization, withdrawal, hormonal implant, and IUD across different education levels and different marital statuses. This analysis highlights gaps that are present in female reproductive autonomy through the statistical differences in contraceptive methods across various demographicsand warrants continued focus on the role that social determinants of health play in the prevention of unintended pregnancies and STIs. In order to promote fairness and equality in healthcare, it is essential to increase education on these topics both within and beyond medical settings. This effort aims to provide patients with equitable access to healthcare and attempt to address health disparities that are prevalent in multiple different sectors.

‘You Never Thought about Me, Did You?’ Cloning and the Right to Reproductive Choice in Eva Hoffman’s The Secret (2001)

This article will critically appraise the extent to which new developments in the fields of reproductive technology are shown to impact female bodily autonomy and reproductive choice in Eva Hoffman’s novel The Secret. The Secret pushes its readers towards the more pressing and urgent questions arising from ongoing developments within the field of NRT and human cloning in a neoliberal climate. The novel cautions that, ultimately, the individual right to reproductive choice is never completely free; an awareness of external influences and a consideration of possible repercussions is integral to responsible decision-making in the context of NRT and cloning. However, the novel moves towards a possible reconceptualization of NRTs as part of the evolutionary progress of humankind. In returning to the body and biopolitical figurations, this article sees the novel’s protagonist, Iris, and her emergent cyborg identity as a manifestation of Haraway’s monstrous cyborg replete with possibility.

Feminist Voices under the Lens of ‘Barbie’: An Analysis of Discourse Transmission and Mass Resonance in XiaoHongShu

Social media platforms are revolutionizing the way users communicate by increasing the exposure to highly stigmatized issues in the society. Feminism is one such topic that recently took over social media. This paper studies the attributes of XiaoHongShu user toward the feminism related topics, by content analysis of the online posts via #Barbie on XiaoHongShu, a sharing platform. The findings show that majority of XiaoHongShu user have positive attitudes to feminism-related topics in Barbie movie by analyzing the posts and comments are shared on this platform. Besides, XiaoHongShu commentators are mainly focused on eleven topics related to feminism: gender consciousness and self-perception, gender equality and affirmative action, gender discrimination, gender violence, gender roles, body perception and self-confidence, gender image, gender economics, female autonomy, female bonds and friendship and others. This research indicated that social media platforms have proven to be fertile ground for movements such as feminism, facilitating the dissemination of perspectives and the fostering of dialogue.

A Tale of Two Halls: An Exploration of the Natural World in The Wife's Lament

Abstract: Past interpretations of The Wife's Lament focus primarily on the intangibles within the poem—speech, emotion, and symbolism—to the neglect of the physical details of the natural world the Wife inhabits. One overlooked detail, in particular, is the inclusion of the oak tree that the Wife sits beneath. This paper explores the Wife's relationship to nature and how it differs dramatically from those depictions found elsewhere in the genre of Old English elegy, paying specific attention to the presence of the oak tree. The presentation of the Wife's relationship to the natural world encourages a reading of the text in which she effectively grows her grief into power, in thematic divergence from the other elegiac voices, such as those within The Seafarer and The Wanderer . In tracing the poem's narrative as well as historical evidence for the reputation and use of oak trees in the early English centuries, I show that the poem reveals a more progressive vision of female autonomy and agency, as the oak tree establishes the Wife as something akin to a lord in her own home, setting the stage for the final tension between her own hall of earth and her husband's hall of stone. In the end, the Wife emerges as a ruler in her own right under her oak tree, and from her tragic tale emerges one of the most powerful—in speech, in action, and in place—female figures in Old English literature.

A Legacy of Female Autonomy During the Crusades: Queen Melisende of Jerusalem by Danielle Mikaelian

A Legacy of Female Autonomy During the Crusades: Queen Melisende of Jerusalem by Danielle Mikaelian