As the U.S. experiences widespread critical examination on gender and patriarchy, it is important for family therapists to learn how men perceive their masculinity amidst this critical discourse. In contemporary politics, feminist activism is largely conducted through social media and hashtag activism and is often called "hashtag feminism." The feminist hashtags #MeToo, #HeForShe, and #HowIWillChange are well-known symbols of the modern feminist movement. Despite the large role that men and masculinity play in the construction of patriarchy, there is currently little research on how hashtag feminism influences men's perceptions of their own role in gender politics. This interpretive phenomenological study explored how Millennial and Generation Z men perceive the hashtag feminist movement. It also aimed to capture how these men experienced and perceived their masculinity as it related to contemporary gender politics. We conducted interviews with 12 social media-using Millennial and Generation Z men about their experiences of masculinity and hashtag feminism. We found that men's views on hashtag feminism and gender inequality were contradictory and overlapping, changing in response to different contexts. Additionally, findings indicated that participants did not see hashtag feminism as representative of the feminist movement as a whole. Results suggested that features of online activist discourse deterred men from engaging in hashtag feminism. Lastly, results suggested that Millennial and Generation Z men want cultural norms of masculinity to change to integrate the pro-social aspects of traditional masculinity with non-traditional qualities of empathy, emotionality, relationality, and vulnerability. Study discussion reviews clinical implications and research recommendations. / Master of Science / Gender and patriarchy are undergoing critical examination the United States. In this context it is important for family therapists to learn how men experience masculinity. "Hashtag activism," or online feminist activism, uses social media to engage in feminist discourse. The feminist hashtags #MeToo, #HeForShe, and #HowIWillChange are well-known symbols of the modern feminist movement. Despite the large role men and masculinity play in patriarchy, there is little research about how hashtag feminism impacts men. However, it is important to gain an understanding of how men see their own role in gender politics. This interpretive phenomenological study explored how Millennial and Generation Z men perceive the hashtag feminist movement. It also aimed learn about how these men experienced and understood their masculinity in the context of contemporary gender politics. We conducted in-depth interviews with 12 Millennial and Generation Z men who use social media. Interview questions were about their experiences of masculinity and hashtag feminism. We found that men's views on hashtag feminism and gender inequality were not divided into separate categories of pro-feminist and anti-feminist. Instead, each participant held multiple viewpoints that overlapped and sometimes contracted each other. These viewpoints depended on the context in which the participant found himself. We also found that participants did not see hashtag feminism as representative of the feminist movement overall. Results suggested that men were disinclined to engage in hashtag activism because of unique features of online activism. Finally, we found that participants wanted masculinity norms to change to include more vulnerable, emotional, and relational qualities. We discussed clinical implications and research recommendations for family therapists.

As a result of the #MeToo movement in Sweden, #sistabriefen was created to represent the women, non-binaries and trans-persons working within the communications industry. This study analyzes the dynamics and identities of the #sistabriefen group members on their private social media platform. The analysis incorporates The Logic of Connective Action by Bennett and Segerberg (2012), and two complementary Social Identity Perspectives; Social Identity Theory and Self-Categorization Theory (Hogg & Terry, 2001; Hogg & Reid, 2006). The study consisted of 23 interview participants, and a qualitative content analysis over the course of five months. This research assesses how members are motivated to participate in the #sistabriefen group, how they identify themselves within the group, and how the group features affect members’ involvement. The findings of the research indicated that digital social movements have the potential to effectively mobilize social change.

Studiens utgångspunkt är att undersöka hur män och kvinnor framställs i Instagram-inlägg under #MeToo och #IHave. Syftet med uppsatsen är att skapa en förståelse för hur kön framställs när människor delar inlägg under hashtags och se hur dessa förhåller sig till och/eller utmanar rådande maktstrukturer. För att analysera både lingvistiska och visuella element i valda Instagram-inlägg, har metoden multimodal kritisk diskursanalys (MCDA) tillämpats på vår studie. Vårt teoretiska ramverk består av tre komponenter: feminism, genus och multimodal kritisk diskursanalys som teori. Med hjälp av olika analysverktyg, hämtade från MCDA, har vi kunnat urskilja tre teman. I det första temat Rätten till sin egen kropp, beskrivs hur kvinnor tystats ner och fråntas rätten till att bestämma över sin egen kropp. I Legitimering av sexuella trakasserier förklaras hur ett fysiskt beteendemönster bland män rättfärdigas och normaliseras. I det tredje temat, Upprätthållande av sociala strukturer, framgår det hur den rådande könsmaktsordning ser likadan ut både “offline” och “online”. #MeToo och #IHave har fått stor genomslagskraft och möjliggjort en ny väg för kvinnor och män att berätta sina erfarenheter av sexuella trakasserier och övergrepp. Något som skapat en mobilisering kring jämställdhet i samhället och ett ifrågasättande av rådande normer, som upprätthåller patriarkala strukturer och mäns auktoritära roll. Under inlägg med #IHave verkar män vara väl medvetna i frågan om sexuella trakasserier och övergrepp, vilket gör att de tillskrivs en “hjälteroll”. Detta fast att män i många fall varit förövare och utsatt kvinnor för våld. Kvinnorna anses däremot vara svaga och sårbara. Trots det tar de upp kampen för sina rättigheter, vilket gör att kvinnors status och maktposition förstärks. Instagram-inläggen som delats med #MeToo och #IHave, blir därmed bevis på att sociala strukturer legitimerar sexuella trakasserier och övergrepp. Samtidigt har dessa hashtags skapat en ökad medvetenhet, vilket förhoppningsvis leder till att normer på sikt kan komma att förändras.

Research over the years has shown that there is a global rise in hashtag activism, this type of activism has also inspired what scholars call - hashtag feminism. Hashtag feminism utilizes Social Networking Sites to raise awareness about issues that are often not covered in traditional news media outlets such as TV, newspapers, and Radio Stations. Through this paper, I seek to investigate how Instagram has become one of the Social Networking Sites that has recently started being used for online activism in South Africa. This is done by conducting a qualitative analysis of 700 posts from the hashtag #AmINext, with a period focus of 3 months during South Africa's COVID-19 Level-5 Lockdown. The findings suggest that activists follow similar lines of the hashtag and social media activism parameters such as those of the #MeToo and #BeenRapedNeverReported movements. The analysis found that activists use Instagram to participate in Citizen Journalism by sharing information, raising awareness, organizing, mobilizing, and advocating (Vegh, 2003). Furthermore, there is clear Civic Engagement and Citizen Journalism through things such as sharing information and having calls to action while utilizing hashtags as a way to gain momentum and attention. The findings suggest that these hashtags are able to cultivate a community of activists all around the country while also making sure to encourage more participation. The analysis also shows how there is an importance of such activism when movement is restricted due to national Lockdowns implemented to curb COVID-19, as many victims of SGBV found themselves at home and trapped with their abusers. In paying attention to this analysis, I conclude that perhaps through the exploration of new ways of activism, we can ensure that no voice is ever left behind. Furthermore, despite the possibilities of these new ways of raising awareness and activism, it is always important to see how we can apply the old with the new.

This comparative study investigates the media representation of YouTube-based news about the #MeToo campaign, feminism, and sexual harassment accounts in three BRICS nations: China, Russia and Brazil. The situation of women in the Global South was at the centre of discussions during the 2018 BRICS summit. While their security remains a persistent issue, officials declared that women should not feel unsafe while participating in economic activity. Although the bloc flagged gender disparities as a significant concern, media outlets perceive Russia, Brazil and China's responses to sexism and gender-based violence as inadequate. Various mechanisms also compromise activism for women's rights. This research focuses on the YouTube representation of conditions which gave rise to the campaign and the process of #MeToo in BRICS. This study considers the level of inclusion of women in economic activity, the procedures established for their safety as well as the extent of media freedom, including tools available for feminist advocacy. In addition to revealing gaps in depiction and proposing solutions for improved media framing, this research is significant because the role and repercussions of this viral campaign must be comprehended better in BRICS economies. Academics focused mainly on the impact of the movement in the West. However, the innovative feminist trend rapidly spread to non-western nations that are dominant emerging economies, showing the gravity of sexual harassment and gender disparities globally. Furthermore, the extent to which #MeToo had influenced localised iterations of anti-assault movements in these emerging countries suggests that the BRICS became sites where sexual abuse and gender inequalities unfold singularly in comparison to other nations. The study presents findings from primary research done on the BRICS, this online social movement #MeToo and related gender dynamics issues. After a presentation of the selected study design, the research provides results from a content analysis of thirty YouTube news reports (October 2017-March 2019).