Gendered Discontent: Participation in the Feminist Movement in Ottawa

This thesis explores the question of (cis)men participating in feminist movement in Ottawa, and the reactions from (cis)women. I spoke to eight people; three men, one genderqueer person, and four women, regarding their experiences of being identified as a feminist, as well as their perceptions of solidarity in the movement. The analysis of data drew upon feminist critical discourse analysis and poststructuralist theories. This analysis suggests marked gendered differences in emotional display, motivation and identity politics. Perceptions of space and safety differed amongst the participants depending on their gender and social identity. The research indicates three main themes: acknowledging women’s limited authority, the necessity for alternative masculinities, and a reconceptualization of the term feminist to include an intersectional approach. These findings are not generalizable given the small sample size, but point to key questions for future research including race relations within the feminist movement, and social workers’ affinity for feminism.