By: Emily Mulhausen
In the study conducted by Campbell Leaper and Diana M. Arias, they examine the relation of a woman’s feminist identity with their coping responses to sexism. 169 undergraduate women from diverse ethnic backgrounds were to complete surveys involving their experiences/gender-related views. The results of this were, “Women’s social gender identity, exposure to feminism, and gender-egalitarian attitudes independently contributed to feminist identification; moreover, non-stereotyping of feminists further predicted feminist self-identification” (Leaper & Arias 482).
The second test analyzed the contribution of feminist identity components to women’s cognitive coping responses to sexual harassment. The results of this were, “Seeking social support was predicted by self-identification as a feminist… Confronting was predicted by social gender identity, non-stereotyping of feminists, and public identification as a feminist” (Leaper & Arias 484).
This study is important because it shows the underlying aspects of how women identify as feminists and how it can be related to their coping with sexism. According to the study’s multidimensional model, “Having non-stereotypical views of feminists is an independent facet of becoming a feminist” (Leaper & Arias 478). On the contrary, those who hold stereotypical views of feminists often causes women to avoid being identified as a feminist to not seem radical. The study also found that “Holding stereotyped views of feminists may be a key factor that accounts for the “I’m not a feminist but” phenomenon” (Leaper & Arias 486). I hear this phrase quite often, both from my friends and the people around me. I believe it’s because of society’s present view on feminism. Many see it as a group of radical females who hate men and don’t wear bras or shave their legs, but that’s not what the movement’s about. It’s about gender equality and reaching equal rights for men and women. I am not ashamed to say that I’m a feminist because I know the true intentions of the movement, I’m not going to let society’s negative outlook on it take my belief away from me. I think that anyone who believes in gender equality and achieving the same rights men have for women can consider themselves a feminist.
Leaper, Campbell and Arias, Diana M. “College Women’s Feminist Identity: A Multidimensional Analysis with Implications for Coping with Sexism.” Springer Science & Business Media, 2011, http://ezproxy.canyons.edu:2048/login?url=http://ezproxy.canyons.edu:2125/docview/857999843?accountid=38295. Accessed 3 Dec. 2016.
Feminism In Schools 