Understanding Feminist Activism among Women: Resources, Consciousness, and Social Networks

This study examines whether women’s feminist activism is connected to three key factors: sufficient educational and financial resources, the internalization of a feminist consciousness, and being involved in feminist mobilization structures. Analysis of the 2012 American National Election Survey (N = 1,876) suggests that participation and engagement in the women’s movement is least common among less educated women and stay-at-home mothers. Feminist activism is also grounded in the perceptions of systematic forms of oppression, an emotional bond to feminists, and being embedded in political or women-centered organizations. There was also little evidence that involvement in the women’s movement is shaped by women’s age, marital status, income level, sexual identity, or race.