Neoliberal Feminism and the Discourse of Self-Improvement

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Inbunden, Engelska, 2026

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Neoliberal Feminism and the Discourse of Self-Improvement utilizes feminist critical discourse analysis to examine the language and narratives within self-help literature targeted at women.Giuliana Ferri critically explores the discourse of self-improvement, focusing on how neoliberal values of empowerment and individual fulfilment have been co-opted by elite feminism as a "technology of the self." She unpacks how this discourse constructs an idealized image of the "empowered woman"—one who is portrayed as capable of overcoming patriarchy through the affirmation of innate strength and resilience. Drawing on Marxist feminism and feminist social reproduction theory, the book highlights how neoliberal feminism markets women as entrepreneurs, "badass feminists," and successful working mothers, all while obscuring the realities of increasing work precarization and flexibilization in post-industrial societies.Through its feminist critical discourse analysis, the book reveals how these seemingly empowering narratives shift the responsibility for systemic change onto individuals, rather than positioning feminism as a collective, anti-capitalist movement for liberation. By integrating applied linguistics with Marxist feminism and social reproduction theory, this text provides a unique interdisciplinary perspective, making it a key reading for scholars and students of language, gender, and economic systems.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2026-04-28
Mått156 x 234 x undefined mm
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
SerieLanguage, Society and Political Economy
Antal sidor172
FörlagTaylor & Francis Ltd
ISBN9781032463568

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Table of contentsChapter 1. An Introduction to the Contested History of Feminism.Introduction. The Waves of Feminism: A Contested Narrative Contesting the Narrative of the Waves of Feminism Gender Critical Feminism Femonationalism Conclusion. Aims and Outline of the BookChapter 2. The Marxist Wife (Still Does the Housework). Reproductive Labour and the Feminisation of Work.Introduction. Marxist Feminism. Marxist Feminism and the ‘’Woman Question’’.Is Reproductive Work Productive? The Marxist Wife (Still Does the Housework)Marxism and the Oppression of Women Patriarchy and Accumulation on a World Scale Wages for Housework Workerism and Wages for Housework Wages for Housework: Race, Class and Sexuality The Feminisation or Housewification of Work Conclusion. Positioning Affective Labour in the Feminised Neoliberal Economy Chapter 3. Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis Introduction. Feminist LinguisticsThe Gender OrderThe Reproduction of Gender Heteronormativity Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis The Analysis The Selection of Texts Conclusion. FCDA and ReflexivityChapter 4. Neoliberal Feminism and Self-Help Literature.Introduction. Self-Help and Neoliberal Feminism. Neoliberalism.Self-Help Literature.The Neoliberal Gendered Self and Confidence CultureConclusion. ‘Having It All’’. The Rise of Neoliberal FeminismChapter 5. The Neoliberal Discourse of Female EmpowermentIntroduction. The Discourse of Female EmpowermentFemale Entrepreneurship Working Mothers Conclusion. The Empowered Rebel Feminist Conclusion. Social Reproduction and a Feminist Politics of the Commons.Chapter 6. The Neoliberal Discourse of Female Leadership. Lean In or Lean Out?Introduction. The Neoliberal Discourse of Female LeadershipLeadership and Gender Equality in the Workplace Lean In Feminism Lean Out. Reactions to Corporate Feminism Lean Out and Right-Wing Feminism Conclusion. The False Dichotomy of Lean Out/Lean In FeminismChapter 7. Neoliberal Subjects and Feminist Self-Help. The Discourse of Neoliberal Feminism. Introduction. The Discourse of Neoliberal Feminism. Feminist Self-Help Self-care as a Political Act of Resistance The Future Conclusion. List of Online Resources

"In the wake of an ubiquitous, normalised, commercially successful, and seductive appeal of neoliberal feminist values, we are confronted by a culture of post-social critique. True to feminist critical discourse studies, Ferri offers a robust engagement of feminisms to deliver a compelling and lucid critique of a privileged I-centered feminism at the heart of self-help discourses, and to return a decisively critical feminist gaze upon resistance and hopeful collective futures."-Michelle M Lazar, Associate Professor, National University of Singapore"Ferri convincingly explores the complex relationships between female empowerment and neoliberalism, offering a rigorous and thorough examination of self-help literature targeting women. The book navigates the mosaic of intersectional identities, capitalism, colonialism, as well as the paradoxes that continue to disadvantage women within imbalanced gendered hierarchies."-Federica Formato, Senior Lecturer in Sociolinguistics, University of Brighton