Third Wave Feminism and the Politics of Gender in Late Modernity

This book critically assesses third-wave feminist strategies for advancing a feminist 'politics of the self' within the late modern, postfeminist gender order -- a context where gender equality has been mainstreamed, feminism has been dismissed, and a neoliberal culture of self-management has become firmly entrenched. Within a social context where gender equality has been formally established as a social good and where feminism is generally dismissed as having achieved its purpose, third wave feminism offers an analysis of gender relations and feminist politics that has caused extensive debate. Situating third wave feminism within a late modern, postfeminist gender order this book offers a critical analysis of the assumptions that underpin the third wave perspective focusing on the solutions that third wave feminism proposes to counteract the popular perception that feminism has lost its relevance in today's society. In this analysis, the conceptual and theoretical resources that a third wave feminist perspective offers for advancing an understanding of the current state of a feminist 'politics of the self' are assessed and the claim that a set of new practices and identities are required to progress feminist interests is explored, focusing specifically upon the reconstruction of femininity through the ideals of autonomy, individuality and self-management Front Matter....Pages i-viii Introduction: Defining the Third Wave....Pages 1-21 A Post-Feminist Gender Order....Pages 22-48 New Femininities and Feminist Subjectivities....Pages 49-76 Experiencing Third Wave Feminism....Pages 77-102 A Politics of the Self....Pages 103-129 The Limits of Choice....Pages 130-155 Generational Dynamics and Feminist Futures....Pages 156-181 Closing Reflections....Pages 182-192 Back Matter....Pages 193-208