“It's also up to me”: Women's navigations of affective dissonance in gendered workplaces
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This article investigates how experiences of affective dissonance are reined in by postfeminist and neoliberal logics in women's accounts of navigating gender inequality at work. I present three forms of affective-discursive practice —namely (a) reactive self-doubt, (b) navigating the double-bind, and (c) voicing critique—and contend that they form part of normative work-based femininities. By providing a nuanced understanding of the affective-discursive processes that make organizational gender inequality feel “ natural” and “normal” for women, the analyses presented here contribute to explaining the persistence of the gendered workplace. I argue that women's practicing of postfeminist affects is embedded within a gendered relational logic which ultimately deprives them of their voice and thus leaves male privilege unchallenged. While there is no “easy way out,” the act of questioning why women feel the way they do (about work) constitutes an important step towards making organizational gender inequality feel outrageous.
Source: Feminism & Psychology
Author: Nilima Chowdhury
Institution: University of St.Gallen
Language: English
Topic: Gender and Feminist Studies
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,900
Funder: Universität St. Gallen
Award: G2611657140
OpenAlex ID: W4413683427