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In this short and provocative book, cultural studies scholar Angela McRobbie develops a much-needed feminist account of neoliberalism. Highlighting the ways in which popular culture and the media actively produce and sustain the cultural imaginary for social polarization, she shows how there is substantial pressure on women not just to be employed, but to prioritize working life. She fiercely challenges the media gatekeepers who shape contemporary womanhood by means of exposure and public shaming, and pays particular attention to the endemic nature of anti-welfarism as it is addressed to women, thereby reducing the scope for feminist solidarity.
In this theoretically rich and deep analysis of current cultural processes, McRobbie introduces a series of concepts including 'visual media governmentality' and the urging of women into work as 'contraceptive employment'. Foregrounding a triage of ideas as the 'perfect-imperfect-resilience' McRobbie conveys some of the key means by which consumer capitalism attempts to manage the threats posed by the new feminisms. She proposes that 'resilience' emerges as a compromise, as hard-edged neoliberalism proffers the option of a return to liberal feminism.
A lively and devastating critique, Feminism and Neoliberalism offers a much-needed wake-up call. It is essential reading for students and scholars of cultural studies, media, sociology, and women's and gender studies.
List of contents
Acknowledgements vi Introduction 1
1 Feminism, the Family and the New Multi-Mediated Maternalism 12
2 Feminism and the Politics of Resilience 42
3 Out of Welfare: Women and 'Contraceptive Employment' 73
4 'Breaking the Spell of the Welfare State': Gender, Media and Poverty-Shaming 99
Notes 125
References 134
Index 141
About the author
Angela McRobbie is Professor of Communications at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Summary
In this short and provocative book, cultural studies scholar Angela McRobbie develops a much-needed feminist account of neoliberalism. Highlighting the ways in which popular culture and the media actively produce and sustain the cultural imaginary for social polarization, she shows how there is substantial pressure on women not just to be employed, but to prioritize working life. She fiercely challenges the media gatekeepers who shape contemporary womanhood by means of exposure and public shaming, and pays particular attention to the endemic nature of anti-welfarism as it is addressed to women, thereby reducing the scope for feminist solidarity.
In this theoretically rich and deep analysis of current cultural processes, McRobbie introduces a series of concepts including 'visual media governmentality' and the urging of women into work as 'contraceptive employment'. Foregrounding a triage of ideas as the 'perfect-imperfect-resilience' McRobbie conveys some of the key means by which consumer capitalism attempts to manage the threats posed by the new feminisms. She proposes that 'resilience' emerges as a compromise, as hard-edged neoliberalism proffers the option of a return to liberal feminism.
A lively and devastating critique, Feminism and Neoliberalism offers a much-needed wake-up call. It is essential reading for students and scholars of cultural studies, media, sociology, and women's and gender studies.
Report
"Jam-packed with insights, these essays from our leading sociocultural analyst are a brilliant commentary on how feminist norms and counter-norms have shaped contemporary work, culture, and politics. Required reading, for all genders."
Andrew Ross, NYU
"Angela McRobbie has a remarkable ability to interpret the present with precision and lyricism. Feminism and Neoliberalism provides both a magisterial analysis of shifting gender politics and a persuasive new academic agenda for radical social democracy."
Jo Littler, City University, London
"This short volume makes a thought-provoking start on the crucial task of mapping the current conjuncture - a task on which McRobbie readily acknowledges there is still much to do."
Paul Cammack, What's Worth Reading
