Gender and the Construction of Hegemonic and Oppositional Femininities

by Justin Charlebois

Overview

Gender and the Construction of Hegemonic and Oppositional Femininities investigates how hegemonic and nonhegemonic forms of femininity are constructed in the social institutions of school, the workplace, and the media. Hegemonic femininities are those that form a complementary and subordinate relationship with hegemonic masculinity and in doing so legitimize a hierarchical relationship between men and women, and masculinity and femininity. Nonhegemonic femininities include culturally-idealized dominant femininities, which do not legitimize a hierarchical relationship between masculinity and femininity, and gender-deviant subordinate femininities. Through an analysis of existing empirical research and fictional media, the book illustrates the relationship between these various femininities and their relationship with masculinity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739144886
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/13/2010
Pages:	162
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Justin Charlebois is an assistant professor at Aichi Shukutoku University in Nagoya, Japan.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Chapter One: The Social Construction of Gender
Chapter 3 Chapter Two: Geographies of Femininities
Chapter 4 Chapter Three: The Social Construction of Femininities in School
Chapter 5 Chapter Four: Gender and Professional Identity in the Workplace
Chapter 6 Chapter Five: Media Representations of Femininities
Chapter 7 Chapter Six: Conclusion: Femininities in a Post-feminist Era

What People are Saying About This

Mimi Schippers

In his book, Gender and the Construction of Hegemonic and Oppositional Femininities, Justin Charlebois provides a cogent summary and integration of some of the recent, central theories of hegemonic masculinity and femininity. Charlebois also offers interesting and compelling applications of the concepts to contemporary issues. This book would be perfect for students and scholars new to the subject and quite interesting to those already familiar with gender theory and research.

James W. Messerschmidt

Finally a book on femininities! Charlebois carefully chronicles and illuminates the variety of femininities constructed in numerous institutions, such as the school, the workplace, and the media. Written in an impressively clear and engaging style, this work offersa wealth of information and theoretical insight on this neglected topic. Essential reading for all gender-studies scholars.

Judith Baxter

In this book, Justin Charlebois questions the widely held assumption that we live in a post-feminist era in which women are assured of the same opportunities as men. He convincingly demonstrates how socially constructed norms serve to maintain an unequal gender order and to disempower women - in education, the workplace and the media. Yet the author wisely argues that women are never entirely constrained by such hegemonic femininities and have devised creative strategies to equalise gender relations. This is a superbly written book which is 'a must' for all scholars of gender, identity and language.

Editorial Reviews

In this book, Justin Charlebois questions the widely held assumption that we live in a post-feminist era in which women are assured of the same opportunities as men. He convincingly demonstrates how socially constructed norms serve to maintain an unequal gender order and to disempower women - in education, the workplace and the media. Yet the author wisely argues that women are never entirely constrained by such hegemonic femininities and have devised creative strategies to equalise gender relations. This is a superbly written book which is 'a must' for all scholars of gender, identity and language.

Dr. Judith Baxter

In his book, Gender and the Construction of Hegemonic and Oppositional Femininities, Justin Charlebois provides a cogent summary and integration of some of the recent, central theories of hegemonic masculinity and femininity. Charlebois also offers interesting and compelling applications of the concepts to contemporary issues. This book would be perfect for students and scholars new to the subject and quite interesting to those already familiar with gender theory and research.

associate professor of Sociology and Gender and Sexuality Studies

Finally a book on femininities! Charlebois carefully chronicles and illuminates the variety of femininities constructed in numerous institutions, such as the school, the workplace, and the media. Written in an impressively clear and engaging style, this work offers a wealth of information and theoretical insight on this neglected topic. Essential reading for all gender-studies scholars....

James W. Messerschmidt

In this book, Justin Charlebois questions the widely held assumption that we live in a post-feminist era in which women are assured of the same opportunities as men. He convincingly demonstrates how socially constructed norms serve to maintain an unequal gender order and to disempower women - in education, the workplace and the media. Yet the author wisely argues that women are never entirely constrained by such hegemonic femininities and have devised creative strategies to equalise gender relations. This is a superbly written book which is 'a must' for all scholars of gender, identity and language.--Dr. Judith Baxter, Aston University

In his book, Gender and the Construction of Hegemonic and Oppositional Femininities, Justin Charlebois provides a cogent summary and integration of some of the recent, central theories of hegemonic masculinity and femininity. Charlebois also offers interesting and compelling applications of the concepts to contemporary issues. This book would be perfect for students and scholars new to the subject and quite interesting to those already familiar with gender theory and research.--associate professor of Sociology and Gender and Sexuality Studies, Tulane University, Mimi Schippers, associate professor of Sociology and Gender and Sexuality Studies, Tulane University

Finally a book on femininities! Charlebois carefully chronicles and illuminates the variety of femininities constructed in numerous institutions, such as the school, the workplace, and the media. Written in an impressively clear and engaging style, this work offers a wealth of information and theoretical insight on this neglected topic. Essential reading for all gender-studies scholars.--James W. Messerschmidt, University of Southern Maine, Portland; author of Hegemonic Masculinities and Camouflaged Politics

From the Publisher

In his book, Gender and the Construction of Hegemonic and Oppositional Femininities, Justin Charlebois provides a cogent summary and integration of some of the recent, central theories of hegemonic masculinity and femininity. Charlebois also offers interesting and compelling applications of the concepts to contemporary issues. This book would be perfect for students and scholars new to the subject and quite interesting to those already familiar with gender theory and research.

Mimi Schippers