This research takes a feminist post-structuralist perspective, informed by Lacanian and post-Lacanian theory to explore constructions of femininity, woman, and women’s experiences in the ‘post-feminist’ context of contemporary Western culture. How do post-feminist discursive constructions of woman regulate women’s subjectivity and define the field of possible actions and shape desire? What does post-feminist discourse make possible and consequently what does it exclude from the realm of possible actions and articulations? These questions are explored empirically through two studies: first, a discourse analysis of post-feminist discourses in popular media and, second, a discourse analysis of in-depth interviews with women on their experiences and views of ‘femininity’ and gender-power relations. From the analysis of Study 1, I argue that ‘post-feminism’ produces a feminine subject who understands herself to be ‘emancipated’, to have the same opportunities as men and the same ‘choices’ whilst simultaneously reproducing dominant patriarchal versions of femininity which continue to regulate and constrain women’s desire In Study 2, analysis of the interview texts illustrates some of the ways that feminine subjectivity continues to be regulated by patriarchal fantasies and ideals of ‘woman’. It was found that the regulative power of masculine fantasies of woman as ‘home’ and as ‘ideal mother’ constrain the interviewee’s experiences, choices and desires despite the post-feminist insistence that woman is no longer bound by anachronistic expectations or outmoded stereotypes. Overall, it is proposed that a post-feminist ‘regime of truth’ profoundly impacts on our ability to critically engage with issues of power as they relate to gender inequality. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/181757 |
| Date | January 2005 |
| Creators | Hoskin, Emma, University of Western Sydney, College of Arts, Education and Social Sciences, School of Psychology |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
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