This study examines the phenomenon of pop feminism and its intricate relationship with popular culture. It begins by examining the increased visibility of feminism within the public sphere, as evidenced by notable events such as Beyoncé's prominent display of the word 'Feminist' at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, and the selection of 'feminism' as Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year in 2017. While this heightened visibility signifies a growing cultural resonance, pop feminism is also deeply enmeshed in postfeminist sensibilities and neoliberal rationality. Consequently, it operates within a dual dynamic, simultaneously reinforcing dominant power structures and offering avenues for critique and resistance. Through critical engagement with contemporary feminist theory and media studies, the research examines a body of popular feminist texts at the intersection of literature and mass media. These texts, authored by influential feminists and high-profile media figures, provide a fertile ground for examining the contradictions within pop feminism. The analysis focuses particularly on how feminist discourses, such as critiques of beauty standards and the politics of choice, are reconfigured within narratives emphasising self-empowerment, individualism and consumer agency. These narratives risk reproducing patriarchal logics under the guise of liberation. At the same time, these texts foreground issues such as structural privilege and the continued relevance of feminist politics, elements which are often obscured in post-feminist discourse. Grounded in a critical-cultural framework, this investigation seeks to elucidate the ambivalent positioning of pop feminism as both a vehicle for feminist expression and a site of ideological co-optation. By analysing the discursive strategies of contemporary feminist literature emerging from popular media, this study contributes to the broader scholarly conversation on negotiating feminism within neoliberal cultural regimes, while also emphasising the importance of critically engaging with popular culture's articulation of feminist values.
Rahimi, G.P. (2024). Beyond Personal Choice: Interrogating Agency in Pop Feminist Narratives. Roma : Carocci.
Beyond Personal Choice: Interrogating Agency in Pop Feminist Narratives
Gohar Parissa Rahimi
2024
Abstract
This study examines the phenomenon of pop feminism and its intricate relationship with popular culture. It begins by examining the increased visibility of feminism within the public sphere, as evidenced by notable events such as Beyoncé's prominent display of the word 'Feminist' at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, and the selection of 'feminism' as Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year in 2017. While this heightened visibility signifies a growing cultural resonance, pop feminism is also deeply enmeshed in postfeminist sensibilities and neoliberal rationality. Consequently, it operates within a dual dynamic, simultaneously reinforcing dominant power structures and offering avenues for critique and resistance. Through critical engagement with contemporary feminist theory and media studies, the research examines a body of popular feminist texts at the intersection of literature and mass media. These texts, authored by influential feminists and high-profile media figures, provide a fertile ground for examining the contradictions within pop feminism. The analysis focuses particularly on how feminist discourses, such as critiques of beauty standards and the politics of choice, are reconfigured within narratives emphasising self-empowerment, individualism and consumer agency. These narratives risk reproducing patriarchal logics under the guise of liberation. At the same time, these texts foreground issues such as structural privilege and the continued relevance of feminist politics, elements which are often obscured in post-feminist discourse. Grounded in a critical-cultural framework, this investigation seeks to elucidate the ambivalent positioning of pop feminism as both a vehicle for feminist expression and a site of ideological co-optation. By analysing the discursive strategies of contemporary feminist literature emerging from popular media, this study contributes to the broader scholarly conversation on negotiating feminism within neoliberal cultural regimes, while also emphasising the importance of critically engaging with popular culture's articulation of feminist values.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
