Neoliberal Feminism: Causes and Consequences

Neoliberal feminism is a ubiquitous feminist ideology characterized by a belief that women must address their own “internal barriers” (e.g., low self-confidence) to overcome gender inequality, while neglecting the importance of addressing external barriers (e.g., discrimination) in ameliorating inequality. The current research examined a potential psychological cause and consequence of endorsing this ideology. Specifically, I tested whether the desire for control explains endorsement of neoliberal feminist ideology, and whether endorsing neoliberal feminist ideology minimizes perceptions of inequality. Correlational evidence from Study 1a (N = 260) and Study 1b (N = 495) revealed that a higher dispositional desire for control predicted endorsing neoliberal feminist beliefs more strongly, which in turn predicted lower perceptions of inequality. Study 2 (N = 355) experimentally deprived participants’ sense of control, but this unexpectedly did not lead them to endorse neoliberal feminist beliefs more strongly. Study 3 (N = 500) experimentally manipulated the salience of neoliberal feminist beliefs, revealing that to the extent that the experimental manipulation successfully heightened neoliberal feminist beliefs, it in turn predicted smaller perceptions of inequality. This research offers an initial insight into the psychological antecedents and consequences of a pervasive yet understudied feminist ideology.