The Myth of Postfeminism

TLDR

Mass media reports that a postfeminist era emerged in the 1990s. The study aims to define the postfeminist perspective and assess empirical support for its claims. An informal analysis identified four postfeminist claims, but public opinion data revealed little support, raising concerns about the validity of the postfeminist argument.

Abstract

Accordingto the mass media, a postfeminist era emerged in the 1990s. The first objective is to develop a definition of the postfeminist perspective. Based on an informal content analysis of popular articles, the authors identify four postfeminist claims: (1) overall support for the women’s movement has dramatically eroded because some women (2) are increasingly antifeminist, (3) believe the movement is irrelevant, and (4) have adopted a “no, but..”.version of feminism. The second objective is to determine the extent of empirical support for these claims. Usingexistingpublic opinion data, the authors find little support for the four postfeminist claims. Implications of the unsubstantiated post-feminist argument are discussed.