Postfeminism: Cultural Texts and Theories

Postfeminism is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that has been widely discussed and debated in recent years. This text provides a comprehensive and critical overview of the main issues, theories, and contemporary debates surrounding postfeminism, covering its terms, underpinnings, critical contexts, meanings, and popular media representations. It situates postfeminism in relation to earlier feminisms and addresses its manifestations in popular culture, academia, politics, and brand culture. The text offers a user-friendly format, an original and rigorous critical approach, and detailed analysis in chapters on various aspects of postfeminism, including the Backlash, New Traditionalism and Austerity Nostalgia, New Feminism, Girl Power and Chick-lit, Do-Me Feminism and Raunch Culture, Neo-liberal Sexism, Postmodern Feminism, Postcolonial Feminism, Queer Feminism, Men and Feminism, Cyberfeminism, Third Wave Feminism, Sexual Micro-/Macro-Politics, and Celebrity Brand Culture. It also includes topical case studies on various topics, such as Game of Thrones, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Lady Gaga, Girls, Nicki Minaj, Slut Walk, and FEMEN.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2018
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Postfeminism is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that has emerged in recent years as a response to the changing social and cultural landscape. It encompasses a range of theories, ideologies, and practices that challenge traditional notions of gender, sexuality, and power. This text provides a comprehensive and critical overview of postfeminism, covering its terms, underpinnings, critical contexts, meanings, and popular media representations.

One of the key features of postfeminism is its emphasis on the empowerment of women. Postfeminists argue that women have made significant strides in recent years and that they should be celebrated for their achievements. However, postfeminism also challenges traditional gender roles and stereotypes, and it has been criticized for perpetuating harmful attitudes and behaviors towards women.

Postfeminism has been influenced by a range of factors, including the rise of neoliberalism, the backlash against feminism, and the emergence of new technologies. Neoliberalism has led to the commodification of women's bodies and the promotion of individualism and consumerism, while the backlash against feminism has been fueled by a sense of resentment towards women's gains and a desire to return to a more traditional gender order. New technologies have also played a significant role in postfeminism, with the rise of social media and the internet allowing women to express their identities and connect with others in new ways.

Postfeminism has had a significant impact on popular culture, academia, politics, and brand culture. In popular culture, postfeminism has been associated with the rise of girl power and chick-lit, with women being portrayed as strong, independent, and sexually liberated. In academia, postfeminism has been used to challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes in the classroom, with women being encouraged to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields. In politics, postfeminism has been used to promote gender equality and women's rights, with women being elected to high-level positions in government and other organizations. In brand culture, postfeminism has been used to promote products and services that are marketed to women, with the emphasis on femininity and beauty.

However, postfeminism has also been criticized for its negative effects. One of the main criticisms is that it perpetuates harmful attitudes and behaviors towards women, such as objectification, sexualization, and violence. Postfeminism has also been criticized for its lack of attention to intersectionality, with women of color and other marginalized groups often being left out of the conversation.

In response to these criticisms, postfeminism has evolved and changed over time. Some postfeminists have argued that it is necessary to challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes in order to achieve gender equality, while others have argued that it is important to celebrate women's achievements and to promote a more inclusive and diverse society.

One of the key challenges facing postfeminism is the impact of the recession. The recession has led to a decline in economic opportunities for women, and has also led to a rise in unemployment and poverty. This has had a significant impact on women's mental health and well-being, and has also led to a rise in domestic violence and sexual assault.

Postfeminism has also been criticized for its lack of attention to the impact of climate change on women. Climate change has had a significant impact on women's health and well-being, and has also led to a rise in gender-based violence and discrimination.

In response to these challenges, postfeminism has begun to engage with a new postfeminist vocabulary associated with post-recession. This vocabulary includes terms such as "recession feminism," "post-recession feminism," and "post-recession feminism." These terms reflect the fact that postfeminism has evolved in response to the recession and that it is now focused on addressing the impact of the recession on women.

Postfeminism has also been criticized for its lack of attention to the impact of austerity measures on women. Austerity measures have been implemented in many countries in response to the recession, and have had a significant impact on women's health and well-being. These measures have included cuts to social welfare programs, cuts to education, and cuts to healthcare.

In response to these criticisms, postfeminism has begun to engage with a new postfeminist vocabulary associated with austerity measures. This vocabulary includes terms such as "austerity feminism," "post-austerity feminism," and "post-austerity feminism." These terms reflect the fact that postfeminism has evolved in response to the recession and that it is now focused on addressing the impact of austerity measures on women.

Postfeminism has also been criticized for its lack of attention to the impact of technology on women. Technology has had a significant impact on women's health and well-being, and has also led to a rise in gender-based violence and discrimination. Postfeminism has begun to engage with a new postfeminist vocabulary associated with technology, including terms such as "cyberfeminism," "postmodern feminism," and "postcolonial feminism."

In conclusion, postfeminism is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that has emerged in recent years as a response to the changing social and cultural landscape. It encompasses a range of theories, ideologies, and practices that challenge traditional notions of gender, sexuality, and power. While postfeminism has had a significant impact on popular culture, academia, politics, and brand culture, it has also been criticized for its negative effects. In response to these criticisms, postfeminism has begun to engage with a new postfeminist vocabulary associated with post-recession and austerity measures, and has begun to address the impact of technology on women.

Weight: 464g
Dimension: 158 x 234 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474411233
Edition number: 2nd ed.