Special Issue: From What Perspective and How can We Discuss “Postfeminism”?

Abstract

  In the 2020’s Annual Symposia, we focused on “Postfeminism” as a social phenomenon/ assertion/movement, which accepts the fundamental values of feminism, like gender equality. Even though in “Postfeminism,” these values are considered the goals already achieved, or as the goals hard to reach by feminism connected with inflexible female identity. To analyze the complexness of “Post-Feminism,” three panelists reported their findings. The first report was by KIKUCHI Natsuno on the effect of neoliberal capitalism on the Japanese phenomenon of “Post-Feminism.” The second report was by TAKAHASHI Yuki, on the young females in their twenties who surrender their freedom from gender roles to seek their liberty for sexual attractiveness. The third report was by CHIKAMOTO Satoko, on the female’s struggle today in consumers’ cooperative societies, the alternative organization for anti-capitalism consumption and production, which had attracted many “housewives’ activists” in the 1980s.

  Through these reports, we could recognize the importance of figuring out the phenomenon invisible from a superficial perspective, like selecting “self-motivated” femininity, abandonment “low-productive in the capital society” females in trouble, and the difficulties of protest to patriarchy. Moreover, we need to critique it and make a commitment to minorities.