The relationship between gender social identity and support for feminism

This study is an application of social identity theory to feminist consciousness and activism. For women, strong gender identifications may enhance support for equality struggles, whereas for men, they may contribute to backlashes against feminism. University students (N � 276), primarily Euroamerican, completed a measure of gender self-esteem (GSE, that part of one’s self-concept derived from one’s gender), and two measures of feminism. High GSE in women and low GSE in men were related to support for feminism. Consistent with past research, women were more supportive of feminism than men, and in both genders, support for feminist ideas was greater than self-identification as a feminist. For many feminists working as part of the American women’s movement, feminism is an important group identity. For instance, members of the National Organization for Women generally identify themselves as femi nists. Negative stereotypes of feminism may threaten involvement in the women’s movement. People may agree with goals of the movement, but may avoid labeling themselves as feminists for fear of being associated with this socially stigmatized label. This fear may interfere with the development of the group identification linked to collective action