I'm not a feminist, but #MeToo

Abstract

In the wake of the #MeToo movement, questions surrounding bodily autonomy and feminist activism have gained significant traction, particularly concerning young women. This master thesis investigates the lived experiences of bodily integrity among young women in Oslo and explores the intersectionality of their experiences with contemporary feminist discourse in a post #MeToo era. The central research question guiding this thesis is: How do young women in Oslo experience their own bodily integrity, and what is their relationship to feminism in a post #MeToo world? Using a qualitative approach, data was collected through conversational interviews with a homogenous group of five young women in Oslo. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns and themes within the participants’ narratives, allowing for a nuanced understanding of their experiences and perspectives. The findings seem to reveal a complex interplay between personal experiences of bodily autonomy and broader socio-cultural factors. Young women navigate a landscape where issues of consent, harassment, and objectification overlap with their everyday lives, seemingly shaping their sense of agency. Moreover, the research reveals difficult relationships with feminism, largely connected to social- and mass media’s portrayals of the ideology. Additionally, the participants who self-identify as feminists in this study also indicate a higher incidence of encounters with sexism and harassment. This suggests that such experiences likely contribute to their adoption of the feminist identity. This thesis contributes to the existing literature by shedding light on the multifaceted nature of young women’s experiences of bodily integrity and their engagement with feminism in a post #MeToo context. The implications of this research extend to policy-making, advocacy, and the broader feminist movement, emphasizing the importance of amplifying the voices and experiences of young women in shaping inclusive and empowering narratives of gender equality and social justice in Norway