I Think I am a Feminist: A Study of Feminist Identity Development of Undergraduate College Women

Abstract

Although today's college women take advantage of the opportunities made available to them by the effort of the feminist movement, the word feminism has a negative connotation for many young women who deny identification with the label when describing themselves. Central research questions included: a) how is feminism defined by the college women in this study; b) what is the current start of feminism on this college campus; and c) how do the epistemological perspective of these young women relate to their understanding and acceptance of feminism. Fifty-six undergraduate women at a selective co-educational liberal arts institution completed a survey of their position on feminism and were asked to identify as a)feminist, b) non-feminist, or c) don't know. Twenty-five of these respondents were interviewed in depth to explore their experience of feminism. Epistemological stage of the participants was studied through the use of the Measure of Epistemological Reflection (Baxter Magolda & Porterfield, 1985). Half of the women in the study considered themselves feminist and many in the "don't know" category were exploring feminism. Definitions of feminism were contextual and varied greatly among the respondents, depending upon their position on feminism and their experiences and values. These college women faced many obstacles in developing a feminist identity: lack of role models, negative stereotypes, peer pressure, and lack of information. Each woman's epistemological stage was integral in helping her deal with these obstacles, gain awareness and form an opinion based on her own beliefs and needs. The research results in the development of a new model of feminist identity development. Five positions through which college women develop a feminist identity are presented in the model: afeminist, non-feminist, non-feminist supporter of feminist issues, feminist with qualifiers and feminist. Case studies that illustrate each position are presented. The state of feminism cannot be measured in traditional ways. Rather than counting the participants in feminist organizations and women's studies classes, new approaches must be used to uncover the extent of feminism. Although many of the women in the study were not "active" in traditional ways, nevertheless feminism was very significant in their lives.