Critical Feminist Theory Research Articles

Cycle Syncing and TikTok's Digital Landscape: A Reasoned Action Elicitation Through a Critical Feminist Lens.

Cycle syncing is a menstrual health trend on TikTok that involves aligning exercise and diet with the four menstrual cycle phases. Cycle syncing is part of the conversation on social media about women's reproductive health. However, clinical research on the effects of cycle syncing is inconclusive, and there is the potential that this trend could further perpetuate misinformation and gender stereotypes. Research suggests that social media can affect health behaviors, highlighting the need to understand if women intend to participate in cycle syncing. Guided by the Reasoned Action Approach, this study used focus groups (n = 39) to examine young women's attitudes, normative beliefs, and control beliefs about participating in cycle syncing, and critical feminist theory to sensitize resulting themes. Results suggest that normative beliefs emphasize support for the behavior among women, yet participants suggest that men would not support this behavior. Additionally, positive beliefs about cycle syncing content sourced from inconclusive scientific literature underscores concerns regarding the potential dissemination of misinformation in women's health practices on social media. Findings also fit into a larger discussion about "hormonophobia" and contraception on social media. Theoretical implications for mixed methods research and future directions are discussed.

The New Woman in Critical Realism: Study on the Female Image of Becky in Vanity Fair

Vanity Fair is the outstanding masterpiece of British critical realist writer William Makepeace Thackeray. In Vanity Fair, Thackeray interprets the status and image of women in a patriarchal and money-centered world, attacking a decadent and hypocritical society, and at the same time creating a new woman, Becky Sharp, who is different from the traditional Victorian image of women. Although Becky comes from a humble background, she does not resign herself to her humble origins and tries to join the upper class, challenging the secular tradition and patriarchal system, and finally leading an ideal life and realizing her self-worth. As a typical representative of the new women in the period of critical realism, Becky's independent, strong, aggressive and rebellious spirit is considered to be the embodiment of the awakening of women's consciousness in the period of critical realism. This thesis will interpret the image of Becky in Thackeray's Vanity Fair from a feminist perspective based on Beauvoir's feminist critical theory. Becky strives to pursue the life she wants and bravely rebels against the authority of the traditional patriarchal society, reflecting her independent, brave and self-worthy feminine spirit. In general, Becky is a warrior against money and patriarchy, and is a typical representative of the new woman who pursues independence in the period of critical realism.

When Sexual Violence Goes Viral: A Literature Review and Synthesis on How the Popularization of the #MeToo Movement Contributed to the Recent Evolution of Nursing Practice With the Student Population in Quebec (Canada).

Since the popularization of the #MeToo movement, the prevention and management of sexual violence (SV) has become prominent in North American public discourse, including in the province of Québec (Canada). Despite such an important visibility in the public sphere, there is little scientific evidence of how nursing practice has adapted to the popularization of the #MeToo movement, led by victims of SV. Drawing on critical feminist theories, we describe the results from a literature review on nursing practice in the context of SV on college and university campuses since the #MeToo movement. A literature search was performed in five databases using keywords targeting nursing practice in the context of SV. In total, 45 articles were selected for analysis. Eight studies were added for their relevance (obtained outside the databases). Next, a reflexive thematic analysis inspired by Braun and Clarke (2006) was conducted. The literature review was then used to compare current practices in Québec. The results identify the persistence of numerous myths and stereotypes that contribute negatively to the credibility of persons experiencing SV. The results also describe the difficulty of public institutions to change structures aimed at preventing and managing SV in response to the popularization of the #MeToo movement. The results indicate the relevance of using an intersectional feminist theoretical framework to better understand the complexities of SV. Through our analysis, we show that, more than ever, the evolution of forensic nursing practice must be informed by political and testimonial activism driven by persons experiencing SV.

HE in FE mature students’ experiences of labour, learning and lockdowns: a feminist narrative inquiry

ABSTRACT A significant proportion of mature undergraduates study at further education colleges (HE in FE) in England. This inquiry builds on research which explores the effect of paid work or unpaid care work on mature students’ learning but offers a new perspective by considering the interaction of both forms of labour on learning in the home during COVID-19 lockdowns. The study broadens theoretical perspectives on this group by using Gouthro’s critical feminist theory of the homeplace. The research makes an original contribution by arguing that the key lenses through which we understand mature students’ experiences of learning at home are labour and relationships. Online life history interviews with 15 HE in FE mature students and a research diary were analysed using a feminist framework, The Listening Guide. Findings indicate individual further education college staff played a major role in supporting students; however, the thesis recommends that colleges recognise unpaid work as a legitimate contributor to HE learning. To enhance social justice and gender equity, a reimagination of work-based learning which develops students’ capacity to critique structural inequality at work is needed. The study recommends that colleges work on new narratives for and about mature students which counter deficit perspectives.

Feminisms, Dworkin and Abortion

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate Brazilian legislation, Dworkin's studies and feminist critical theory regarding abortion with the aim of understanding how feminisms can generate criticism of Brazilian legal regulation and Dworkin's conclusions on the topic. Theoretical Framework: In this topic, the main concepts and theories that underpin the research are presented. Feminist critical theories and Dworkinian theory stand out, providing a solid basis for understanding the context of the investigation. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises the hypothetical-deductive method and data collection was carried out through bibliographical documentary research, notably from research sources consisting of scientific articles, books, periodicals and collections. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that (i) different feminisms contribute to confronting sexist oppression; (ii) by guaranteeing the material equality of people, the Federal Constitution is feminist and the acts of the three Powers should be revised accordingly; (iii) the decriminalization of abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy will be decided by the Federal Supreme Court in ADPF 442, but there is a favorable understanding in HC 124/306; (iv) Dworkin's interpretive theory proposes Law as integrity and analyzes abortion from the American context, when the Supreme Court presented a permissive precedent; (v) Dworkin understood abortion as a collective issue because it involves collective values ​​and the intrinsic good of life, which is of state interest, which would justify the State demanding certain responsibilities via regulation; (vi) Dworkin criticizes the author of radical feminism and cites the author of femininity feminism, which is widely criticized for the idealization of motherhood and for enabling sexist aspects; (vii) for the Law, abortion is not a religious, moral or ethical discussion, it does not require consideration between the community's religious rights and other rights, but it is a choice of the pregnant woman and its regulation depends on scientific medical criteria. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized in light of the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered in this section. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of criminal law. These implications could include the (de)criminalization of abortion. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by approaching a critical view of abortion for Dworkinian theory from feminisms. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its questioning of some Dworkinian moral assumptions about abortion.

Ciberactivismo feminista y autoritarismo estatal. Una contribución a los estudios sobre la protesta social feminista

This article aims to analyze, from new conceptual tools, the role of digital platforms and feminist cyberactivism as spaces of dispute against structural violence and state authoritarianism. Many categories are articulated in the literature regarding the relationship between digital platforms and social movements to understand the complex relationship between feminist protest and digital space. This research is conceived as qualitative from grounded theory for the understanding of emerging categories; the view is supported by feminist critical theory. I analytically support the use of the category of cyber activism, over others used in the field, to understand the feminist dispute in the digital space. The particularity of the function and usefulness of these spaces in contexts marked by authoritarianism and control of the public and digital squares is a key element in this analysis of feminist cyberactivism. This specific form of cyberactivism is called feminist digital resistance against the dispossession of the state capital. Keywords: feminism, digital platforms, techno-politics, social movements, state control

A Study of the Body Narrative in the Film Portrait de la Jeune Fille en Feu from a Feminist Perspective

This article analyses the body narrative in the film Portrait de la Jeune Fille en Feu from a feminist perspective, exploring the gendered power structures implicit in the female characters' bodily expressions and discussing how it constructs and reflects feminist theories. The article reviews the development of feminist theory, emphasises the importance of body narrative theory and its application in film studies, and chooses the film Portrait de la Jeune Fille en Feu as the object of study. Through textual analysis and feminist critical theory, this study dissects the body narratives of the female characters to reveal how visual language and symbols shape the body's position in gendered power relations. It is found that the female body narratives in the film are not only an expression of subjectivity, but also a response to social power structures, demonstrating the deep connection between gender, power and self-identity.

The Political Economy of Land Reparations in South Africa

ABSTRACTThis article examines white settler colonialism and racial capitalism as the primary mechanisms for the historical and ongoing land dispossession of Afrikan people in South Africa. It argues that by addressing land dispossession through land restitution, South Africa could begin to meaningfully address the ongoing impacts of settler colonial displacement of Afrikan people. It contends that land reparations are central not only to restorative physical and spatial justice but also to physical healing. The aim of this contribution is to historicize and herstoricize the South African land question; situate this within the context of racial capitalism and settler colonialism; provide a framing of the racialization and feminization of the land economy; and expound on the particularities of misogynoir and critical feminist theory in theorizing the acute land dispossession of Afrikan women. Situated within the Azanian School of thought, its essential contribution is the suggestion that land restoration is a necessary and meaningful reparative measure for South Africans.

‘It was horrible to watch, horrible to be a part of’: Midwives’ perspectives of obstetric violence

BackgroundObstetric violence, including unconsented interventions, coercion and disrespect, violates human rights; impacting the physical and psychosocial health of women. The perspective and experience of midwives related to obstetric violence have been explored in low and middle-income countries, with limited research into the experience of midwives in high income nations. AimTo explore Australian midwives’ perspectives of obstetric violence. MethodsThematic analysis of qualitative in-depth interviews with 15 midwives experienced in supporting women during birth. Critical feminist theory underpinned each stage of the research. FindingsInterviews with 15 Australian midwives from diverse care settings were analysed thematically. Four key themes were developed from the data: ‘the operationalisation of obstetric violence’, ‘the impact of obstetric violence’ ‘the historical and situational context’ and ‘hope for the future’. Midwives considered entrenched patriarchal structures and gender inequity as fundamental to the occurrence of obstetric violence. This societal scaffold is intensified within health care systems where power imbalances facilitate maternal mistreatment through coercion and grooming women for compliance in the antenatal period. Fragmented care models expose women to mistreatment with continuity models being protective only to a point. Midwives experience their own trauma, as a result of what they have witnessed, and due to the lack of support they receive when advocating for women. ConclusionsObstetric violence occurs in Australian maternity systems with unconsented interventions, overmedicalisation, coercion, and disrespect observed by midwives. Care-related trauma impacts on the mental health of midwives, raising workforce concerns for policy makers, consumer advocates and professional bodies.

Gender Differences in Language Acquisition Patterns among Adolescents in Japan

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the gender differences in language acquisition patterns among adolescents in Japan Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: This study examines gender differences in language acquisition among Japanese adolescents. Males typically prefer informal methods like digital media for vocabulary, while females favor formal instruction. Females show stronger syntax, grammar, and pragmatic skills, driven by a greater interest in language learning for social reasons. Males' attitudes vary more, influenced by socioeconomic factors. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social learning theory, gender schema theory & critical feminist theory may be used to anchor future studies on the gender differences in language acquisition patterns among adolescents. By tailoring language instruction to the specific needs of male and female adolescents, educators can create more inclusive learning environments that support equitable language development. Policymakers should prioritize the integration of gender-sensitive language policies and initiatives within educational systems.

On the basis of sex: a liberal feminist analysis of women’s struggle for education

This study delves into the portrayal of women's struggles for education as depicted in the Hollywood film “On the Basis of Sex.” It seeks to address the pervasive influence of patriarchal dominance that impedes women's educational rights. The narrative is primarily framed around the life experiences of the film's central figure, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who contends with male counterparts in her quest for admission to prestigious law school programs in the United States. Simultaneously, feminists advocate for education as a cornerstone for women's empowerment and gender equality. It empowers women to become agents of change, thereby emphasising their equal rights to shape a better world. The research adopts a qualitative approach, collecting both primary and secondary data, and employs liberal feminist critical theory for data analysis. Key findings reveal the disadvantaged state of American women in the late 1950s, marked by limited educational access. Despite these obstacles, women, exemplified by Ginsburg, displayed unwavering determination and unity in their pursuit of improved educational opportunities, subsequently expanding their presence in the legal profession and public employment. Ginsburg’s remarkable journey serves as an enduring symbol of resilience and inspiration for others, reaffirming the notion that education is a universal right transcending gender barrier.

Challenging Misogyny: A Critical Examination of Gender Bias in Anton Chekhov's 'The Bear

"The Bear" by Anton Chekhov is a one-act play that explores the theme of misogyny through the interactions between the characters Smirnov and Mrs. Popova. Smirnov's misogynistic beliefs are revealed as he objectifies and belittles Mrs. Popova based on her gender. The play critiques the societal prejudices and stereotypes imposed on women during Chekhov's time, emphasizing the importance of gender equality and respect. Readers can see that Smirnov treats Popov rudely. The writer aims to analyze Smirnov's negative attitude towards Popov using feminist critical theory. Data is collected qualitatively. Analysis shows that Smirnov verbally intimidates Popov with lots of rude remarks about women. He accuses women of laziness, deception, and unfaithfulness.

Queering the humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality: Implications for humanitarian action, IHL effectiveness and gender justice

Abstract Institutions are often reluctant to openly engage on controversies around the patriarchal underpinnings of the humanitarian sector, or the hard questions around implementing rights-based approaches in spaces where the dominant social norms run counter to an enabling environment for principled humanitarian and development assistance. A reluctance to engage on these issues can lead to unintended suppression of gender justice efforts under the urgency and scale of needs-based humanitarian response. Pre-crisis unequal power relations can be visible or invisible, difficult to measure and even more difficult to address through humanitarian action. Engaging on root causes and drivers of human suffering is often viewed as “political” in contexts of closing civic space and restricted humanitarian access. This article will explore tensions and synergies between the humanitarian principles and the gender justice agenda with a view to helping humanitarian actors contribute to long-term goals of transforming social norms. The article applies a critical feminist lens to the humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality, with a focus on the wider development agenda, the nature of the State in a State-centric global order, and the continuum of violence. Drawing on critical feminist theory and decolonization discourses, and building on gender analyses of international humanitarian law, this article looks to queer the humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality within the context of the shifting aid system in which they are applied. The objective is help address some of the gaps in literature, identify ways in which aid actors can reduce unintended harm to the gender justice agenda, and help contribute to the more transformative agendas of gender justice.

Trauma as Cultural Capital: A Critical Feminist Theory of Trauma Discourse

Abstract This essay theorizes a problem for feminism posed by a particular form of trauma discourse. Feminists have played an important role in developing cultural and clinical conceptions of trauma, but one result of the destigmatization of trauma has been that trauma discourse is sometimes used as a form of cultural capital to reinforce existing hierarchies. In a novel application of Pierre Bourdieu's theory of distinction, we show how, when instrumentalized as cultural capital, trauma discourse can be used to reinforce patriarchy and other systems of oppression. We trace a critical feminist history of the struggle to understand and treat trauma. Using examples from contemporary US popular culture, we illustrate the appropriation of trauma discourse to entrench existing structures of gender, class, and racial oppression. First, the misuse of trauma discourse as cultural capital can encourage the instrumental use of trauma claims for cultural power, ultimately reinforcing patriarchy. Second, it might erode the legitimacy of trauma, a conceptual tool pioneered by feminists and still essential to their political claims. This discussion has important implications for not only mental health practitioners and trauma survivors but also feminist theorists, trauma studies scholars, and those interested in deconstructing structural injustice and relations of inequality.

"It Looks Good on Paper, But It Was Never Meant to Be Real": Mixed-Gender Events in the Paralympic Movement.

Although the Paralympic Games have been around for over 60years, women remain underrepresented in almost all aspects of the Paralympic Movement. It has been suggested that a way to increase women's involvement is through the implementation of mixed-gender events. On paper, this approach makes sense. However, when it comes to the implementation of mixed-gender opportunities for women, it is less clear how effective these events are in increasing participation by women in Para sport. Through document analysis and interviews with athletes and organizers of mixed-gender Paralympic sport, we explore the various strategies that four mixed-gender sports have used to address the issue of gender parity. Using critical feminist theories, we illustrate how larger social, political, and cultural ideas about gender influence women's experiences within these events and discuss the potential of using mixed-gender initiatives to address gender parity within the Paralympic Movement.

Language, Power, and the Media in the Portrayal of Wartime Sexual Violence

Sexual violence has increasingly been recognised – and framed – as a war crime. This essay seeks to unpack the normative and epistemological elements of this discourse. The literature is dominated by peacetime studies of gender and language which fail to analyse elements of shock and labels in the construction of the actors at play. This paper seeks to understand how language, power and media work together to infantilize women and create an implicit dichotomy of victims and survivors. Drawing on critical feminist and post-structural theories, it is argued that media agents play a significant role in shaping perception and defining policy on wartime rape, through language patterns and themes. It is concluded that the language employed by news articles contributes to the gendered socialization of wartime rape. The argument is illustrated by a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of two news channels, Al Jazeera and Fox News, which seeks to identify the common discursive themes and demonstrates that the rhetoric employed is self-perpetuating and is conducive to gendered assumptions and shortcomings.

The Grammatical Features of Vietnamese Journalistic Discourses about Women from Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis Theory

Basing principally on Fairclough's theory of Critical Discourse Analysis (2001) and Halliday's Systemic Functional Grammar (1994), Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis was initiated in “Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis - Gender, Power and Ideology in Discourse” by Lazar (2005) is developed into a discourse research approach that sheds interest on the relationship between gender power and language or language use. Following this research approach, this paper outlines a detailed study of the grammatical features of journalistic discourse written about women in Vietnamese Women Newspapers, issues of 2021, from the perspectives of Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis, of which the grammatical features of journalistic discourse would be expressed in three aspects: experiential, interpersonal, and expressive values. More specifically, the experiential values of grammar were reflected in the transitivity processes, the interpersonal values were shown in modes of sentences, and finally, the expressive values were realized in the expressive modality. The study results revealed that the three most frequently used processes were material, relational and verbal. Besides, declarative sentence type was used most frequently, and there was very little likelihood of modal word use. These grammatical features were consistent with the news genre applied for newspapers while remaining ample contextual conditions for reflecting journalists' perceptions of women and feminism.

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.

Angels Wear White: The Expression of Social Symptoms in Feminist Perspective

Angels Wear White starts with a child sexual abuse case, presenting the real social situations of females with different identities as the plot unfolds. Female characters in the film, the heroine, Mia, Wen, and Lily, Wen’s mother, Xin, and the allegorical figure of Monroe with rich connotations shed light on women’s lowliness and helplessness in patriarchy. This article will analyze this movie from critical feminist theory, revealing the tough situation that women face under discipline, oppression, and the rise of rebel consciousness after being hurt.

AT THE CROSSROADS OF THE REAL AND THE FANTASTIC: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF IDENTITY, HISTORY, AND DESTINY IN SALMAN RUSHDIE'S MIDNIGHT'S CHILDREN AND ANGELA CARTER'S WISE CHILDREN

This research paper provides an exploration of the complex and reciprocal relation between identity, history, and destiny in Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children and Angela Carter's Wise Children. We regard these two works as exemplary in their use of magical realism, not merely as a stylistic device, but also as a powerful narrative tool that helps define the complexities of human existence. Through a comparative analysis, this paper examines how Rushdie and Carter blend the real with the fantastical to challenge conventional narratives, exploring the intricate nature of identity and the dynamic reciprocity between personal and collective histories. In Midnight's Children, Rushdie blends the life of his protagonist, Saleem Sinai, with the historical reality of postcolonial India, using magical realism to blur the boundaries between the personal and the national, the real and the imagined. The novel’s non-linear structure and fragmented narration reflect the tumultuous and often contradictory nature of postcolonial identity, illustrating how personal and national histories are intertwined and constantly evolving. The midnight's children, born at the exact moment of India’s independence, symbolize the nation’s future potential but also its inherent complexities, their supernatural abilities serving as metaphors for the highly diverse and complex nature of Indian identity. On the other hand, Angela Carter’s Wise Children explores identity using performance and theatricality, focusing on the lives of Dora and Nora Chance, the illegitimate daughters of a famous Shakespearean actor. Carter’s narrative style, characterized by its playfulness and subversive humor, uses magical realism to blur the lines between reality and performance, suggesting that identity is as much a construction and performance as any role played on stage. The Chance sisters’ improbable survival and their lives filled with theatrical performances and fantastical elements highlight the fluidity of identity and the artificiality of social constructs such as legitimacy and lineage. Children play an extremely important role in both novels, their symbolism lying at the core of both narratives. Opposing the reality of the adult world to the fantastic freedom of childhood, with its lack of imaginative boundaries, the novels question the nature of reality and our accepted worldview. This study draws on the primary literature, analyzing the two mentioned works, but also on a wide range of secondary literature, including postcolonial theory, feminist criticism, and narrative theory, to situate the analysis within broader cultural and literary contexts. Homi K. Bhabha's concept of hybridity is particularly relevant in understanding the fragmented identities in Midnight's Children, while Judith Butler's theory of performativity offers insights into the fluid identities portrayed in Wise Children. By examining the symbolic roles of children in both novels, the research highlights how Rushdie and Carter use magical realism to explore and critique the constructed nature of identity, history, and destiny. Ultimately, this study argues that magical realism in these novels is not simply a narrative style but a powerful tool for exploring the complexities of identity and history in postcolonial and feminist contexts. Midnight's Children and Wise Children both challenge the linear, teleological narratives of history and identity, offering instead a vision of reality that is many-sided, fluid, and constantly being rewritten. Through their use of magical realism, Rushdie and Carter create narratives that invite readers to question conventional understandings of the self, society, the present and the past, offering new possibilities for the ways in which we understand identity, history, and destiny.