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Modern Misogyny: Anti-Feminism in a Post-Feminist Era
Pundits and politicians often opine on the irrelevance of feminism and the women's movement today. Some commentators describe the state of feminism as "post-feminist," alongside equally questionable claims of Barack Obama's election as signaling a "post-racial" America. Modern Misogyny examines contemporary anti-feminism in a "post-feminist" era. It considers the widespread notion that the feminist movement has ended, in large part because the work of feminism has been completed. In fact, the argument goes, women have been so successful in achieving equality, it is now men who currently are at risk of becoming irrelevant and unnecessary. These sentiments make up modern anti-feminism. Modern Misogyny argues that equality has not been fully achieved and that anti-feminism is now packaged in a more palatable, but stealthy form. This book addresses the nature, function, and implications of modern anti-feminism in the United States.
Modern Misogyny explores the landscape of popular culture and politics, emphasizing relatively recent moves away from feminist activism to individualism and consumerism where "self-empowerment" represents women's progress. It also explores the retreat to traditional gender roles after September 11, 2001. It interrogates the assumption that feminism is unnecessary, that women have achieved equality, and therefore those women who do insist on being feminists want to get ahead of men. Finally, it takes a fresh look at the positive role that feminism plays in today's "post-feminist" era, and how feminism does and might function in women's lives.
Post-feminist discourse encourages young women to believe that they were born into a free society, so if they experience discrimination, it is an individual, isolated problem that may even be their own fault. Modern Misogyny examines that rendering of feminism as irrelevant and as the silencing and marginalizing of feminists. Anderson calls for a revived feminism that is vigilant in combatting modern forms of sexism.
Modern Misogyny explores the landscape of popular culture and politics, emphasizing relatively recent moves away from feminist activism to individualism and consumerism where "self-empowerment" represents women's progress. It also explores the retreat to traditional gender roles after September 11, 2001. It interrogates the assumption that feminism is unnecessary, that women have achieved equality, and therefore those women who do insist on being feminists want to get ahead of men. Finally, it takes a fresh look at the positive role that feminism plays in today's "post-feminist" era, and how feminism does and might function in women's lives.
Post-feminist discourse encourages young women to believe that they were born into a free society, so if they experience discrimination, it is an individual, isolated problem that may even be their own fault. Modern Misogyny examines that rendering of feminism as irrelevant and as the silencing and marginalizing of feminists. Anderson calls for a revived feminism that is vigilant in combatting modern forms of sexism.
208 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2014
13 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
About the author
Kristin J. Anderson
4 books8 followersDr. Anderson is a social psychologist and fellow at the Center for Critical Race Studies at the University of Houston-Downtown.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 19, 2021
Very informative and really helps you understand how misogyny in the modern day has co-opted feminist vocabularies as well as showing how neo-liberalism has helped hiding sexism underneath individualism. It can be repetitive at times, especially if you've read many books about feminism before, but I guess it's necessary. The book also explores many interesting studies about how feminism affect people. I like how the book debunks all the myths around feminists/feminism with many many supporting evidences, though it's unfortunate that those who need to read this book probably won't read it. Still, it's good for feminists to equip themselves with supporting evidences from this book to counter all those nonsense from anti-fem/MRAs/MGTOW/meninist etc.
October 1, 2016
Toto bola zatiaľ najlepšia kniha o feminizme, čo som čítala.
Napríklad aj o tom, že ak sa ženy označujú za feministky, tak to blahodárne prospieva ich psychickej pohode, zlepšuje romantické, sexuálne aj priateľské vzťahy! :D Akurát že im ľudia následne neveria, ak nahlasujú sexual harassment, zneužívanie alebo znásilnenie. A navyše sa ľuďom bridí aj predstava ženy - aktivistky. Ženu - odborníčku síce ľudia vnímajú ako kompetentnú, ale menej obľúbenú.
Kniha podrobne rozkladá a vyvracia mýtus, že feministky nenávidia mužov. Ide totiž len o zjednodušenú zámenu rozdielnych pojmov - boj proti patriarchálnej spoločnosti a boj proti mužom. Podľa výskumov sú si feministky s mužmi bližšie, než rodovo stereotypné ženy, ktoré veria, že ženy sú z Venuše a muži z Marsu. Podľa výskumov majú ale feministky o čosi ďalej k jednej skupine ľudí - k sexistickým ženám.
V knihe sú podrobne rozobraté aj udalosti 9/11 a jeho zobrazovanie v médiách. V čase ohrozenia stúpa dopyt po stereotypných obrazoch a vzorcoch. Pár rokov pred pádom dvojičiek si napríklad vedelo predstaviť ženskú prezidentku 95% Američanov a rok po nešťastí len 65%.
Autorka v knihe opisuje fenomén individualizmu - ľudia dnes majú pocit, že všetko je v ich rukách a keď niečo chcú, stačí o to vziať. Neveria pri tom, že za ich neúspechom môže byť nejaká forma diskriminácie (pohlavie, farba pleti, vzhľad). Mnohé štúdie pritom dokazujú, že nie všetko je v našich rukách. Zaujímavá bola kapitola o vnímaní pracujúcich žien s podobnými vlastnosťami ako majú muži. Ak mali dobré organizačné a vodcovské schopnosti, ľudia ich vnímali ako nepriateľské, chladné a neženské, kým pri mužoch si tieto vlastnosti cenili a cítili sa v ich prítomnosti dobre. Keď ľuďom v experimente ponúkali pomoc so zadanou úlohou muži a ženy, ľudia, ktorí dostali pomoc od ženy, sa cítili hlúpejšie a nemožnejšie ako tí, ktorým pomoc ponúkal muž.
A veľa ďalšieho.
Je to skvelá kniha, ak budete mať možnosť, určite si prečítajte!
Napríklad aj o tom, že ak sa ženy označujú za feministky, tak to blahodárne prospieva ich psychickej pohode, zlepšuje romantické, sexuálne aj priateľské vzťahy! :D Akurát že im ľudia následne neveria, ak nahlasujú sexual harassment, zneužívanie alebo znásilnenie. A navyše sa ľuďom bridí aj predstava ženy - aktivistky. Ženu - odborníčku síce ľudia vnímajú ako kompetentnú, ale menej obľúbenú.
Kniha podrobne rozkladá a vyvracia mýtus, že feministky nenávidia mužov. Ide totiž len o zjednodušenú zámenu rozdielnych pojmov - boj proti patriarchálnej spoločnosti a boj proti mužom. Podľa výskumov sú si feministky s mužmi bližšie, než rodovo stereotypné ženy, ktoré veria, že ženy sú z Venuše a muži z Marsu. Podľa výskumov majú ale feministky o čosi ďalej k jednej skupine ľudí - k sexistickým ženám.
V knihe sú podrobne rozobraté aj udalosti 9/11 a jeho zobrazovanie v médiách. V čase ohrozenia stúpa dopyt po stereotypných obrazoch a vzorcoch. Pár rokov pred pádom dvojičiek si napríklad vedelo predstaviť ženskú prezidentku 95% Američanov a rok po nešťastí len 65%.
Autorka v knihe opisuje fenomén individualizmu - ľudia dnes majú pocit, že všetko je v ich rukách a keď niečo chcú, stačí o to vziať. Neveria pri tom, že za ich neúspechom môže byť nejaká forma diskriminácie (pohlavie, farba pleti, vzhľad). Mnohé štúdie pritom dokazujú, že nie všetko je v našich rukách. Zaujímavá bola kapitola o vnímaní pracujúcich žien s podobnými vlastnosťami ako majú muži. Ak mali dobré organizačné a vodcovské schopnosti, ľudia ich vnímali ako nepriateľské, chladné a neženské, kým pri mužoch si tieto vlastnosti cenili a cítili sa v ich prítomnosti dobre. Keď ľuďom v experimente ponúkali pomoc so zadanou úlohou muži a ženy, ľudia, ktorí dostali pomoc od ženy, sa cítili hlúpejšie a nemožnejšie ako tí, ktorým pomoc ponúkal muž.
A veľa ďalšieho.
Je to skvelá kniha, ak budete mať možnosť, určite si prečítajte!
April 1, 2019
Great book
This book provides an exceptional reality to feminism. This book highlights many, if not all, arguments against feminism and hits right back with proof as to why anti-feminist perspectives/ arguments are made-up, even nonexistent.
This book provides an exceptional reality to feminism. This book highlights many, if not all, arguments against feminism and hits right back with proof as to why anti-feminist perspectives/ arguments are made-up, even nonexistent.
July 25, 2021
It's fine, but I'm not sure who the audience for this book is. It seems to be directly speaking to hard-right pundits and talking points, but those are the ones who are least likely to pick this up and read it. While the data is interesting, some of the studies seem to play a little loose with drawing conclusions (the Japanese-produced Sailor Moon is indicative of media representation in American action fantasy for children? Tenuous). It seems like it's arguing toward two ends. It's defensively fighting for the idea of feminism to continue existing, while also overexplaining basic principles of the field.
I think it might be useful as a text in a low-level gender studies course, where it would be followed by more grounded discussions. As a text on its own, though, it's shouting into an echo chamber.
I think it might be useful as a text in a low-level gender studies course, where it would be followed by more grounded discussions. As a text on its own, though, it's shouting into an echo chamber.
January 31, 2026
This is the first book that I've read for 2026 and I have to say that this is one of the most engaging nonfiction books I have read about sociology. It might be because I'm a woman that tends to lean towards feminist ideals, but I believe that the book effectively explains the manifestations of misogyny in the modern era and how it's framed versus how it actually functions.
I've always been hesitant to call myself a 'feminist' as it provides a negative connotation to my peers. Recently, our school held a guidance talk with a social study graduate that advocate for women's rights. One of the students declared himself to be a feminist, and the initial responses of the students were to laugh. The new connotation for feminism is that it's performative for men to adapt it, and the narrative that women feminists are 'manhating' and 'unattractive' sadly still persists.
Chapter 1, which tackles anti-feminism in the rise of individualism and consumerism is very eye opening. Especially now in the 2020s era, where a lot of products geared towards women are marketed under benevolent sexism or underlying sexism that poses as an ally to women and girls. This perfectly explains (or at least to me) how the status quo still perpetuates sexism though not as blatant in the past. To ensure that patriarchy remains, problems such as sexism, racism and other forms of discrimination are labeled as personal conflict rather than a result of a systemic oppression.
Other chapters answers very detailedly the discourse about whether feminism is necessary. It presents arguments against those of anti-feminists (who notably don't have sources or researches to back up their claims) in a very concise and coherent manner. Aside from instances where some points can come off as redundant (which may be intentional to establish an important point), and how it mostly focuses on the context of the US, this book is a 5/5.
Concerns raised in this book such as the discrimination against nontraditional women (which are most women), victim blaming in rape, and the negative self image that stems from misogyny and relates to anti-feminism is very timely, and I would argue that it is even more relevant in today's era. Modern Misogyny ends with a hopeful view about feminism, and I hope that this book continues to clarify and help those who are currently dwelling with the concept of feminism in the modern years.
I've always been hesitant to call myself a 'feminist' as it provides a negative connotation to my peers. Recently, our school held a guidance talk with a social study graduate that advocate for women's rights. One of the students declared himself to be a feminist, and the initial responses of the students were to laugh. The new connotation for feminism is that it's performative for men to adapt it, and the narrative that women feminists are 'manhating' and 'unattractive' sadly still persists.
Chapter 1, which tackles anti-feminism in the rise of individualism and consumerism is very eye opening. Especially now in the 2020s era, where a lot of products geared towards women are marketed under benevolent sexism or underlying sexism that poses as an ally to women and girls. This perfectly explains (or at least to me) how the status quo still perpetuates sexism though not as blatant in the past. To ensure that patriarchy remains, problems such as sexism, racism and other forms of discrimination are labeled as personal conflict rather than a result of a systemic oppression.
Other chapters answers very detailedly the discourse about whether feminism is necessary. It presents arguments against those of anti-feminists (who notably don't have sources or researches to back up their claims) in a very concise and coherent manner. Aside from instances where some points can come off as redundant (which may be intentional to establish an important point), and how it mostly focuses on the context of the US, this book is a 5/5.
Concerns raised in this book such as the discrimination against nontraditional women (which are most women), victim blaming in rape, and the negative self image that stems from misogyny and relates to anti-feminism is very timely, and I would argue that it is even more relevant in today's era. Modern Misogyny ends with a hopeful view about feminism, and I hope that this book continues to clarify and help those who are currently dwelling with the concept of feminism in the modern years.
April 4, 2021
I have to thank my sexist co-workers that told me "women have all the rights, what you complaining about" and also "boy crisis is a thing is never addressed by feminists" -> that triggered me to read more on topic, where I found this great book. Kristin brings a lot of studies to debunk misconceptions on feminism. In addition, the intersectionality makes it even more valuable, since she also addresses the issues with other minorities such as lesbians, black women, transgender. This is very important piece of work, plus it's easy to read and to the point.
October 28, 2022
เล่มนี้ดี ถ้าใครอ่านงานเกี่ยวกับ feminism มาบ้างอาจจะไม่ได้รู้สึกว่ามันแปลกใหม่อะไร แต่สิ่งที่ต้องซูฮกแน่ๆ คือหลักฐานอ้างอิงที่ใส่มาเยอะมาก ยกให้เป็นหนังสือแห่งการ debunk ความเชื่อผิดๆ เกี่ยวกับ feminism เลย ใครเป็นสายแปะข้อมูลประกอบการเถียงควรมี
คนที่เป็น Anti-Feminist ชอบบอกว่า สังคมปัจจุบันมันยุติธรรมมากพอจนไม่จำเป็นต้องมี feminism อีกต่อไปแล้ว ถ้าใครยังเป็น feminist อยู่ แสดงว่าคุณเป็นพวกเกลียดผู้ชาย หรือไม่ก็อยากให้หญิงเป็นหยั่ย แต่ผู้เขียนบอกว่า สังคมปัจจุบันมันก็ยัง misogyny อยู่นั่นแหละ แค่มัน subtle ขึ้น
เช่น สื่อบันเทิงมักจะใช้คำว่า empowerment มาเป็นข้ออ้างในการ sexualize ตัวละครหญิง ทั้งๆ ที่ "การเป็นคน sexy" กับ "การถูกทำให้ sexy" มันต่างกัน
การเป็นคน sexy หมายความว่าผู้หญิงเป็น subject ใน sexual desire ของตัวเอง ในขณะที่การ sexualize ทำให้ผู้หญิงเป็นแค่ object เท่านั้น
หรือบางคนไม่คิดว่าตัวเองมีพฤติกรรมเหยียดเพศ เพราะมองการเหยียดในมุมของ like/dislike เท่านั้น ทั้งที่จริงๆ แล้วมันมีมุมของ respect/disrespect ด้วย
ผู้หญิงที่เป็นแม่บ้านมักจะเป็นที่ชื่นชอบแต่ไม่ได้รับความเคารพ ในขณะที่ผู้หญิงเก่งงานมักจะได้รับความเคารพแต่ไม่เป็นที่ชื่นชอบ เป็นต้น
คนที่เป็น Anti-Feminist ชอบบอกว่า สังคมปัจจุบันมันยุติธรรมมากพอจนไม่จำเป็นต้องมี feminism อีกต่อไปแล้ว ถ้าใครยังเป็น feminist อยู่ แสดงว่าคุณเป็นพวกเกลียดผู้ชาย หรือไม่ก็อยากให้หญิงเป็นหยั่ย แต่ผู้เขียนบอกว่า สังคมปัจจุบันมันก็ยัง misogyny อยู่นั่นแหละ แค่มัน subtle ขึ้น
เช่น สื่อบันเทิงมักจะใช้คำว่า empowerment มาเป็นข้ออ้างในการ sexualize ตัวละครหญิง ทั้งๆ ที่ "การเป็นคน sexy" กับ "การถูกทำให้ sexy" มันต่างกัน
การเป็นคน sexy หมายความว่าผู้หญิงเป็น subject ใน sexual desire ของตัวเอง ในขณะที่การ sexualize ทำให้ผู้หญิงเป็นแค่ object เท่านั้น
หรือบางคนไม่คิดว่าตัวเองมีพฤติกรรมเหยียดเพศ เพราะมองการเหยียดในมุมของ like/dislike เท่านั้น ทั้งที่จริงๆ แล้วมันมีมุมของ respect/disrespect ด้วย
ผู้หญิงที่เป็นแม่บ้านมักจะเป็นที่ชื่นชอบแต่ไม่ได้รับความเคารพ ในขณะที่ผู้หญิงเก่งงานมักจะได้รับความเคารพแต่ไม่เป็นที่ชื่นชอบ เป็นต้น
January 6, 2018
Loved it. So much useful information for academics and feminists alike (not that the two are mutually exclusive 😉)
November 19, 2021
Read for academic purposes:
Really interesting topics that this book touches upon, got a lot of information from it that I can use in my own research :)
Really interesting topics that this book touches upon, got a lot of information from it that I can use in my own research :)
December 22, 2022
Very informative and views are supported with facts/research , good for beginners to understand a bit more about feminism/misogyny .
May 14, 2024
Brilliant - Anderson deals with anti (post) feminist narratives in a clear, persuasive manner. She knows what's up.
October 23, 2014
An informative read...
with lots of stats and references to other books, I found 'Modern misogyny' very helpful fodder for the cause...
what next?
with lots of stats and references to other books, I found 'Modern misogyny' very helpful fodder for the cause...
what next?
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews