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Feminism: Definitions, support, and correlates of support among female and male college students

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Abstract

The purpose of our research was to examine definitions of feminism, support for feminism, and gender attitude and personality trait correlates of support. Using a sample of predominately White college students, findings indicated quite favorable definitions of feminism, and more support than opposition to it, especially among female respondents. Support for feminism was related to 5 of 6 gender attitude dimensions for females, but unrelated to their gender personality traits. For males, support was related to only one gender attitude dimension, and to femininity; more feminine males were more supportive. Implications for the distinction between feminism and feminist and for the status of feminism among college students are discussed.

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Jackson, L.A., Fleury, R.E. & Lewandowski, D.A. Feminism: Definitions, support, and correlates of support among female and male college students. Sex Roles 34, 687–693 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01551502

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