Feminisation of success or successful femininities? Disentangling ‘new femininities’ under neoliberal conditions

This article critically examines what might be titled the feminisation of success that is ascribed to optimistic characterisations of new constructions of femininity for young women in the UK, particularly in relation to classed positions. In order to do this it is necessary to understand the complex relationship between feminism, post-feminism, neoliberalism and femininities, especially since the millennium. Young women have been positioned as the beneficiaries of successful social and political change which, together with ideas of individualism and reflexive constructions of identity, almost mandate young women to embody success. The article seeks to examine and assess the discursive constructions of ‘successful femininities’ in relation to their normative limitations and asks in particular whether the putative existence of ‘new femininities’ is attainable for all young women. With the impact of over a decade of neoliberal policies and austerity measures being felt by many, it is argued that the discourses of ‘successful femininities’ work to obscure the recalibrated inequalities that have been forged by neoliberal conditions

Examining the Impact of Communication and Leadership Styles of Women: Perceptions of Effectiveness by Subordinates

The number of female managers in American companies has been increasing with female management making up 63.4% of S&P 500 companies (Catalyst 2018). Female leaders have traditionally been at a disadvantage by social norms that surround masculine corporate America. Women have often been categorized as communal leaders that focus on the collective efforts of the team they manage (Eagly 1987). They communicate using interpersonally-oriented dimensions including collaboration, relationship building and information sharing as well (Appelbaum et.al 2013). Male leadership and communication styles, on the other hand, have been mentally associated with agentic qualities such as being aggressive and having results oriented outcomes (Eagly 1987). The current body of research asserts that women often face a “double bind” situation where if they act more agentic, than they are considered aggressive and often disliked and if they act communally they are not viewed as an effective leader (Northouse, 2004; Eagly & Carly, 2007). Looking exclusively at the perceptions of women leaders who manage male and female employees, this qualitative study tries to understand the perceptions that male and female employees have of their female boss’s leadership and communication styles. The researcher interviewed 5 triads (N=15) using a grounded-theory approach and semi-structured interviews. The results of this research study suggest that while male and female subordinates positively viewed their female bosses as effective leaders with open communication styles, the attributes used to evaluate their leadership and communication styles differed. Male subordinates applied more agentic characteristics to assess female leaders while female subordinates applied more communal attributes

A Feminist Ethics of Power Perspective on Gender Inequalities in Information Systems Development

With the rise of socio-political movements seeking to improve women\u27s circumstances in society, research on gender has been continuously growing in Information Systems (IS) research. Despite this growth, critical-ethical perspectives on gender power dynamics are lacking. Therefore, we critically investigate the perceptions of male and female IS developers on gender inequalities using feminist ethics of power. We find that interviewees coincide in the belief that inequalities are improving and that gender is not a limiting factor of competencies. However, men and women deviate regarding perceptions of respect and validation, equality, and the drivers that (re-)produce disparities. Additionally, women exhibit fragmented conceptualizations of inclusion. Through a critical analysis of these findings, we expose ethical dilemmas that arise from these contradictory perceptions of gender inequalities and propose pathways for transforming the prevailing order. Our study contributes by advancing a broader perspective on inequalities through the lens of feminist ethics of power

Gender in eSports research : a literature review

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Marginalized Youths Constructing Identities: A Literature Review of STEM Discourses

Colonialism gave rise to cultures of power, positioning non-white traditions and cultures as “inferior,” including knowledge and education practices (Rosa & Mensah, 2021). As such, many children identifying with marginalized ethnic, racial, and/or gender groups, encounter sometimes contradictory and often deconstructive messaging from their educational and social orbits about their personal alignment with STEM (Cian et al., 2022). Consequently, minoritized learners are often faced with a requirement that, in order to persevere, they must adopt characteristics that the cultures of power in STEM embrace, such as girls pursuing physics disassociating themselves from femininity and highlighting masculinity in the way they present themselves (Francis et al., 2016). Furthermore, youths of color find themselves using survival strategies, such as “acting white” (McGee, 2016), in order to join STEM communities, which may result in dissonance with one’s cultural identities. In this literature review, I will unpack empirical research that illustrates how the STEM identity of youths is influenced by interactions with significant persons in the home and the school. The aim of this literature review is to inform future research in STEM identity development of youth who identify with communities marginalized in STEM spaces

Counter-Narratives of Latino Men and Machismo in Higher Education

This dissertation study addresses the gaps in research concerning the gendered experiences of successful Latino men in higher education. As Latino men in postsecondary education continue to enroll and persist in low numbers, new lenses are needed to consider their educational experiences. This study attempts to add a gendered lens, in the form of machismo, to consider ways in which successful Latino men are persisting. Machismo, a construct with both positive and negative attributes, has the potential to influence Latino men\u27s navigation of higher education. Research documents the negative ways in which machismo has hampered Latino men in education, however few studies consider how Latino men define and negotiate machismo in higher education. Therefore, this critical qualitative study challenges this framework and has successful Latino men defining their relationship with machismo. The data reveals that participants have a complicated relationship with machismo and masculinity, which illustrates a more holistic understanding of machismo. Participants discussed the barriers and benefits associated with both machismo and masculinity. Their counter-narratives illustrate an intimate relationship between their socialization as Latino men and their achievement of success in higher education

(Re)figuring accounting and maternal bodies: the gendered embodiment of accounting professionals

This paper examines the relationship between the body and the self for women accounting professionals. It explores how they come to embody the identity of accountant and what happens when forms of organisational and professional embodiment coincide with other forms of gendered embodied self, such as that experienced during pregnancy and in early motherhood. These forms of embodiment can be seen simultaneously both as a mechanism of social control, and as a form of self-expression and empowerment for women

Dilma Rousseff and the Challenge of Fighting Patriarchy Through Political Representation in Brazil

Dilma Rousseff is the first woman elected head of state of Brazil. Although her election carries symbolism for Brazilian women, claims of women\u27s emancipation through representation must be questioned through an analysis of the Brazilian patriarchal state. This paper examines the claim that Rousseff’s election opens doors for all Brazilian women. The research involves analysis of electoral statistics, media frames, and government documents, which show that, in spite of a woman president, women\u27s representation in Brazilian government is still low in numbers and in the state agenda. The literature suggests that masculine gender hegemony and the presence of a patriarchal state undermine the creation of possibilities through women’s political representation. Rousseff’s weak campaign positions on gender issues indicate that her election’s potential for substantive representation is still limited

“It is a thing passing strange to me that the healing hand should also wield the sword”:Aragorn’s masculinities in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings

Abstract. This thesis analyses the masculinities of Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings, focusing on two types of masculinity, hegemonic masculinity, and alternative masculinity. Hegemonic masculinity refers to the masculinity that is held in higher regard than other types of masculinity, and is in a position of power in society. Alternative masculinities are the masculinities that fall outside the hegemonic norm, and they often have qualities that are considered feminine. Aragorn’s character appears to have both hegemonically and alternatively masculine traits, of which the following were chosen for closer examination: for hegemonically masculine characteristics Aragorn’s depiction as a mysterious stranger, him acting as a leader, and him being a warrior were selected, and for alternative masculinity his work as a healer and him in comparison to Boromir were chosen. The analysis was conducted by examining all the passages of text that included descriptions of Aragorn, his actions, or his words, utilizing close reading to ensure attention to details and thorough understanding of the text. The analysis suggests that Aragorn’s character has a balance of hegemonic and alternative masculinities, both of which are equally important for him in his journey to become the king of Gondor.”Suuresti minua hämmästyttää se että parantava käsi käyttelee myös miekkaa” : Aragornin maskuliinisuudet Tolkienin Tarussa Sormusten Herrasta. Tiivistelmä. Tämä opinnäytetyö analysoi Aragornin maskuliinisuuksia Tarussa Sormusten Herrasta, keskittyen kahteen erityyppiseen maskuliinisuuteen, hegemoniseen maskuliinisuuteen ja alternatiiviseen maskuliinisuuteen. Hegemonisella maskuliinisuudella viitataan maskuliinisuuteen, joka saa osakseen enemmän arvostusta kuin muut maskuliinisuudet, ja joka on valta-asemassa yhteiskunnassa. Alternatiiviset maskuliinisuudet ovat puolestaan niitä maskuliinisuuksia, jotka jäävät hegemonisen normin ulkopuolelle, ja niissä on usein feminiinisenä pidettyjä piirteitä. Aragornin hahmo vaikuttaa omaavan sekä hegemonisesti että alternatiivisesti maskuliinisia piirteitä, joista seuraavat piirteet on valittu tarkempaan tarkasteluun: hegemonisesti maskuliinisista piirteistä Aragornin kuvaus salaperäisenä muukalaisena, hänen toimintansa johtajana ja hänen toimintansa sotilaana, ja alternatiivisen maskuliinisuuden piirteistä hänen työnsä parantajana ja hän verrattuna Boromiriin. Analyysi on tehty tarkastelemalla kaikkia niitä tekstinosia, joissa esiintyy kuvausta Aragornista, hänen toimintaansa tai hänen sanojansa. Analyysissa on hyödynnetty lähilukua sen varmistamiseksi, että yksityiskohtiin on kiinnitetty huomiota, ja että teksti on tullut syvällisesti ymmärretyksi. Analyysin perusteella voidaan päätellä, että Aragornin hahmolla on hegemonisten ja alternatiivisten maskuliinisuuksien tasapaino, joista molemmat ovat yhtä tärkeitä hänen matkallaan kohti Gondorin kuninkuutta