Date Created

8-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Department

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Applied Psychology and Counselor Education, APCE Student Work

First Advisor

Parnell, Kenneth

Abstract

Research has historically focused on feminist women, leaving a gap in the literature for exploring men’s feminist identity development. Given that feminist identity is a strong predictor for engaging in gender-justice activism, more research is needed on the experiences of feminist men and how they come to identify as feminists. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to develop a theory of men’s feminist identity development process, as no widely accepted model currently exists. Additionally, the study sought to investigate feminist men’s experiences of privilege as well as guilt in shame in their feminist identity development, as these factors may be unique to feminist men and have been left out of previous research. Nine cisgender, feminist men (Mage = 45.6, SD = 24.3) were recruited and participated in the study. Utilizing constructivist grounded theory methodology, an emergent theory of men’s feminist identity development was constructed. The primary themes within the model include Diverse Feminist Foundations, Expanding Awareness, Unlearning, Self-Reflection, Taking Action, and Developing a Feminist Practice. The author concluded with implications and suggestions for how to support men who are developing a feminist identity.

Extent

201 pages

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

Digital Origin

Born digital

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