Feminist Lives: Women, Feelings, and the Self in Post-War Britain

Feminist Lives explores how British women charted a new way of being female in the three decades before the Women's Liberation Movement, focusing on the transition generation of women born in the 1940s and grown to maturity in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. It demonstrates that it was they who developed the aspirational model of womanhood that emerged after 1970 as the norm amongst women in the global north.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Feminist Lives takes a woman-centered approach to delve into these intriguing questions and explore how British women forged a new path of femininity in the three decades preceding the Women's Liberation Movement. By concentrating on the transition generation of women born in the long 1940s and who matured in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, the book showcases that it was these women who cultivated the aspirational model of womanhood that subsequently emerged as the norm among women in the global north after 1970. In doing so, Feminist Lives aims to bridge the feminist history gap, challenging a narrative that has for too long overlooked this generation of women as outdated and inadequate, as well as insufficiently feminist. Through the use of women's voices as the book's evidential and emotional core, as they describe themselves, their relationships, their feelings, and their actions, this volume analyzes the ways in which women constructed a modern self, built upon new ways of living, feeling, and being.

The notion that women can be feminist without feminism is a complex and multifaceted one. While some argue that feminism is a necessary movement that provides a framework for women to advocate for their rights and equality, others suggest that women can engage in feminist activism and recraft ways of being female without necessarily adhering to a specific ideology or movement.

One argument in favor of the idea that women can be feminist without feminism is that feminism is not a monolithic movement but rather a collection of different perspectives and approaches. Women can engage in feminist activism and advocacy without necessarily identifying as feminists or subscribing to all the principles of the feminist movement. For example, women may participate in women's rights organizations, attend rallies and protests, or advocate for gender equality in their workplaces without necessarily labeling themselves as feminists.

Similarly, women can recraft ways of being female without necessarily relying on a feminist framework. Women can challenge traditional gender roles and expectations and create new definitions of femininity that are more inclusive and diverse. This can involve breaking down gender stereotypes, challenging gender norms and power dynamics, and promoting gender equality in all aspects of life, from the workplace to the home.

However, it is important to note that while women can engage in feminist activism and recraft ways of being female without feminism, these efforts are often limited by the broader social and cultural context in which they occur. Women who do not identify as feminists may face barriers to participation in feminist organizations and movements, and may be less likely to receive support and recognition for their efforts. Additionally, women who do not have access to education, resources, or social networks may be at a disadvantage when it comes to challenging traditional gender roles and expectations.

In conclusion, while women can be feminist without feminism, the movement provides a valuable framework for women to advocate for their rights and equality. Feminist activism and recrafting ways of being female are important efforts to challenge traditional gender roles and expectations and create a more inclusive and diverse society. However, these efforts are often limited by the broader social and cultural context in which they occur, and it is essential to work towards creating a more equitable and just society for all women.

Weight: 546g
Dimension: 161 x 242 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192896995