Does self-identification as a feminist, non-feminist, or non-labeler, affect actions, beliefs, and commitments regarding feminist ideals? Is there any dissonance between identifying with feminist beliefs and identifying with the feminist label? Will our data give us insight into education about feminist ideas at CSB/SJU (College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University)? Is the “feminist” label stigmatized on our campuses

Andrews, Kenea M.

Berry, Sarah J.

Campbell-Vargas, Marina I.

Fischbach, Allison A.

Heller, Molly K.

Hueg, Anna M.

Kangas, Hannah O.

Mueller, Hope P.

Myers, Megan J.

Pham, Ha H.

Pinder, Atarah V.

Pioske, Hanna M.

Rainey, Madeline A. (Maddie)

Rhude, Laura L.

Rudnickas, Allison M. (Allie)

Salto, Hannah A.

English

College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University: DigitalCommons@CSB/SJU

College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University DigitalCommons@CSB/SJU Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day Experiential Learning & Community Engagement 4-23-2015 Feminist identification, actions, beliefs and commitments at CSB/SJU Allison A. Fischbach College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University Anna M. Hueg College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University Allison M. (Allie) Rudnickas College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University Atarah V. Pinder College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University Hannah A. Salto College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/elce_cscday  Part of the Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, and the Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Fischbach, Allison A.; Hueg, Anna M.; Rudnickas, Allison M. (Allie); Pinder, Atarah V.; Salto, Hannah A.; Pham, Ha H.; Pioske, Hanna M.; Kangas, Hannah O.; Mueller, Hope P.; Andrews, Kenea M.; Rhude, Laura L.; Rainey, Madeline A. (Maddie); Campbell-Vargas, Marina I.; Myers, Megan J.; Heller, Molly K.; and Berry, Sarah J., "Feminist identification, actions, beliefs and commitments at CSB/SJU" (2015). Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day. 53. https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/elce_cscday/53 This Presentation is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@CSB/SJU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@CSB/SJU. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@csbsju.edu. Authors Allison A. Fischbach, Anna M. Hueg, Allison M. (Allie) Rudnickas, Atarah V. Pinder, Hannah A. Salto, Ha H. Pham, Hanna M. Pioske, Hannah O. Kangas, Hope P. Mueller, Kenea M. Andrews, Laura L. Rhude, Madeline A. (Maddie) Rainey, Marina I. Campbell-Vargas, Megan J. Myers, Molly K. Heller, and Sarah J. Berry This presentation is available at DigitalCommons@CSB/SJU: https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/elce_cscday/53 Feminist Identification, Actions, Beliefs & Commitments at CSB/SJU2014-2015 Hynes ScholarsInstitute for Women’s LeadershipMegan MyersHa PhamAtarah PinderHanna PioskeMaddie RaineyLaura RhudeAllie RudnickasHannah SaltoKenea AndrewsSarah BerryMarina Campbell-VargasAllison FischbachMolly HellerAnna HuegHannah KangasHope MuellerWhat is the Hynes Scholars Mission?A competitively selected cohort of sophomore women interested in engaging in dialogue and scholarship about gender and leadership, social justice, self-awareness, and the challenges facing women today.Research QuestionDoes self-identification as a feminist, non-feminist, or non-labeler, affect actions, beliefs, and commitments regarding feminist ideals? 1. Research/Background ● Skeleton of background information● Previous similar research● How is our research different/important?● Why is our research important for CSB/SJU?● Interested in feminist beliefs – unique campuses● Separate campuses – exposed to feminist topics differently○ Bennie/Johnnie Day, IWL/MDI have different events for men and womenWhy This Study?● Is there any dissonance between identifying with feminist beliefs and identifying with the feminist label?● Will our data give us insight into education about feminist ideas at CSB/SJU?● Is the “feminist” label stigmatized on our campuses?Why This Study?Smith College● Surveyed Baby Boomers & Generation Xers● Identified themselves as: feminists, non-feminists and non-labelers● More individuals from Generation X identified as non-feminists and non-labelers, more Baby Boomers identified as feminists● Is there a new wave of feminism occurring with our own generation, Generation Y/Millennials?Studies Like OursFischer et al.● Used different feminist identity scales to determine validity of each scale● Using this, our survey was based on the Feminist Identity Composite found in Fischer et al’s scholarly articlePurdue University ● “Women’s movement” or “feminist movement”● Studied students’ reaction to the label of feminism in the college setting● Is the feminist label stigmatized at CSB/SJU?Studies Like Ours● Previous studies have surveyed women, our study surveys both men and women● Our study is surveying mostly first year college students● Unique campus environment may show different results than previous research How Is Our Study Different?2. Study Design and Data Collection  ● Determine method for data collection● Write up methodology and procedure● Submit IRB approval form ● Create survey questions and survey form design● Responses converted into Excel and SPSS formatsMethods/Participants● Introductory Psychology Students ○ First years and sophomores● 79 females and 39 males, total 118 people surveyed ● Demographic at end of survey● Questions reworded to be gender neutral ● Goal: Determine who identifies as feminists, non-feminists and non-labelers, and differences between their data ● 3 categories of questions:○ Actions○ Personal Beliefs○ Commitments4. Data Analysis  ● Conduct statistical analysis of collected data● Discover and analyze trends according to three categories and larger research question● Does self-identification as a feminist, non-feminist, or non-labeler, affect actions, beliefs, and commitments regarding feminist ideals?26.6% Identify as FeministsBennies n=7962% Identify as Non-Labelers11.4% Identify as Non-Feminists5.1% Identify as FeministsJohnnies n=3948.7% Identify as Non-Labelers46.2% Identify as Non-FeministsExamplesAction Questions1. If I were married and my spouse was offered a job in another state, it would be my obligation to move in support of his/her career.1. I regularly attend women’s sporting events on campus.1. I often post about women’s issues on social media.Action ScaleAverage Action Scale Rating by GroupInterpretation of Action Scale● No difference in scores by school or feminist identity● All self-identifications either act in a non-feminist manner or in a feminist mannerExamplesBelief Questions1. I believe things are fine the way they are. I do not want women to have equal status as men.1. I think that men and women had it better in the 1950s when married women were housewives and their husbands supported them.1. I don’t see the point of questioning the general expectation that men should be masculine and women should be feminine.Belief Scale 1I believe things are fine the way they are. I do not want women to have equal status as men.Belief Scale 2I think that men and women had it better in the 1950s when married women were housewives and their husbands supported them.Belief Scale 3I don’t see the point of questioning the general expectation that men should be masculine and women should be feminine.Interpretation of Belief Scale: Bennies• Non-feminists were most likely to agree with “traditional” views/statements, followed by non-labelers, then lastly feminists• Feminists were more likely to hold less traditional beliefsInterpretation of Belief Scale: Johnnies• Same pattern as Bennies• Non-feminists were most likely to agree with “traditional” views/statements, followed by non-labelers, then lastly feminists• Feminists were more likely to hold less traditional beliefsOverall Interpretation of Beliefs● Bennies were more likely than Johnnies to agree with the beliefs that the traditional system in place should remain the same● These traditional beliefs were felt most strongly by non-feminists, followed by non-labelers, and the least by feminists (Non-Feminist had more traditional views, Feminists had less traditional views, and non-labelers fell in between)ExamplesCommitment Questions1. I owe it to all people to work for greater equality for all.1. I want to improve women’s status.1. I am committed to working for a fair and just world for all.Commitment Scale 1I owe it to all people to work for greater equality for all.Commitment Scale 2I want to improve women’s status.Commitment Scale 3I am committed to working for a fair and just world for all.Interpretation of Commitment: Bennies● Overall feminists had the higher score on the Commitment Scale followed by non-labelers, and lastly non-feminist, which means that feminists were most highly committed to equality and justice for allInterpretation of Commitments: Johnnies• Overall feminists had the higher score on the Commitment Scale followed by non-labelers, and lastly non-feminist, which means that feminists were most highly committed to equality and justice for all• Johnnies had slightly higher scores on Commitment Scale than Bennies • Again, SJU Feminist labelers, n=2 Overall Interpretation of Commitments● Feminists are more committed to world changes towards equality, followed by non-labelers, and lastly non-feministsInfluence of Identification● Identification did not strongly affect their actions● Identification correlated to the type of beliefs held by the individual● Identification correlated an individual’s level of commitment to equalityTrends ActionsNo difference in scores by institution or feminist identity.BeliefsSignificant differences by both institution and feminist identity.CommitmentSignificant differences by both institutions and feminist identity.5. Presentation/Further Analysis   ● Compile data, graphics and organization of all materials● Prepare presentation format and distribution of responsibilities● Discuss implications of studies and suggest further analysis and actionWhat words come to mind when you think of feminism?Bennies Johnnies Where do we go from here?  ● Educate first year students about roots, origins and meanings of feminism● Encourage first year students to attend gender related campus events● Promote an open dialogue about gender related issues between both institutionsRecommendations for Future Studies● Conduct similar study with upper class students, paying particular attention to seniors● Compare our results with first year students with the results from senior student data● Analyze how perceptions of feminism change through the college experience and how our institutions can better educate about gender related issuesWorks CitedBuschman, J., & Lenart, S. (1996). "I Am Not A Feminist, but...": College Women, Feminism, and Negative Experiences. Political Psychology, 17(1), 59-75. Duncan, L. E. (2010). Women’s Relationship to Feminism: Effects of Generation and Feminist Self-Labeling: Women's Relationship to Feminism. Psychology Of Women Quarterly, 34(4), 498-507. Fischer, A. R., & Tokar, D. M. (2000). Assessing women's feminist identity development. Psychology Of Women Quarterly, 24(1), 15.A Special Thank You Special thanks to the following people for their support and assistance throughout this year:Janet TilstraAdjunct Assistant Professor of PsychologyMary GellerVice President of Student DevelopmentSiri Berg-MobergHynes Scholars Student CoordinatorThe Institute for Women’s LeadershipThank You!Any Questions??

Feminist identification, actions, beliefs and commitments at CSB/SJU

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Feminist identification, actions, beliefs and commitments at CSB/SJU

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