A1 Journal article (refereed)
"Stop whining and be a badass" : A postfeminist analysis of university students' responses to gender themes (2021)


Kivijärvi, M. (2021). "Stop whining and be a badass" : A postfeminist analysis of university students' responses to gender themes. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, 40(6), 690-707. https://doi.org/10.1108/edi-08-2020-0219


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsKivijärvi, Marke

Journal or seriesEquality, Diversity and Inclusion

ISSN2040-7149

eISSN2040-7157

Publication year2021

Volume40

Issue number6

Pages range690-707

PublisherEmerald

Publication countryUnited Kingdom

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/edi-08-2020-0219

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessPartially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/74848


Abstract

Purpose
This paper critically examines how female students at a Finnish business school understand gender in management.

Design/methodology/approach
The analysis is based on female students' learning diaries from a basic management course.

Findings
The findings show how students respond to the topic of gender inequality through a neoliberal postfeminist discourse. The students' discourse is structured around three discursive moves: (1) rejecting “excessive” feminism, (2) articulating self-reliant professional futures and (3) producing idealized role models through successfully integrating masculinity and femininity.

Originality/value
This article contributes to current understanding of the role of postfeminist sensibilities in shaping student participation in the management profession. Awareness of students' responses to gender-equality initiatives offers management educators insight into the inclusion of equality topics in teaching in ways that support equal gender socialization in the management profession.


Keywordsmanagement educationschools of economics and business administrationstudentsleadership (properties)equality (values)feminismneoliberalismgender rolesstereotypiesdiscourse research

Free keywordsgender; discourse; postfeminism; management education; university students; professionalization


Contributing organizations


Related projects


Ministry reportingYes

Reporting Year2021

JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2024-26-03 at 09:19