The rise of antifeminist perspectives among future educators: a growing concern?
IntroductionAntifeminist discourses have historically emerged in response to feminist advancements. In Spain, the past decade has seen significant feminist progress, yet antifeminist rhetoric has simultaneously gained traction, particularly among younger populations. This study examines the antifemi...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1585199/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849468871330758656 |
|---|---|
| author | Nahia Idoiaga-Mondragon Idoia Legorburu Fernandez Maitane Picaza Gorrotxategi Israel Alonso Saez |
| author_facet | Nahia Idoiaga-Mondragon Idoia Legorburu Fernandez Maitane Picaza Gorrotxategi Israel Alonso Saez |
| author_sort | Nahia Idoiaga-Mondragon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionAntifeminist discourses have historically emerged in response to feminist advancements. In Spain, the past decade has seen significant feminist progress, yet antifeminist rhetoric has simultaneously gained traction, particularly among younger populations. This study examines the antifeminist narratives present among university students in education programs, a critical demographic as future educators play a key role in shaping social attitudes.MethodsA free association exercise was conducted with 252 students enrolled in education programs. The collected textual data were analyzed using Iramuteq software, applying lexical analysis techniques to identify dominant antifeminist discourses.ResultsThe findings indicate that the most prominent antifeminist narratives among participants center on feminist principles, salary aspirations, perceived disparities in rights, household chores, and the alleged provocative behavior of women. Notably, frequently cited statements include “Feminism does not seek equality” and “They expect to be paid the same”, reflecting common misconceptions about feminism. Despite expressing support for gender equality, participants were less likely to self-identify as feminists.DiscussionThese findings highlight the contradictions within young adults' perceptions of feminism and gender equality. The persistence of antifeminist narratives within future educators underscores the need to address these discourses in academic settings. Integrating feminist pedagogies into teacher training programs is essential to fostering a more equitable and informed educational environment.ConclusionThis study underscores the necessity of actively confronting antifeminist rhetoric within educational institutions to ensure that future educators contribute to gender equality rather than perpetuate misconceptions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eb13cf94a4454df69ac2c9af650aee4d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-eb13cf94a4454df69ac2c9af650aee4d2025-08-20T03:25:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-06-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15851991585199The rise of antifeminist perspectives among future educators: a growing concern?Nahia Idoiaga-Mondragon0Idoia Legorburu Fernandez1Maitane Picaza Gorrotxategi2Israel Alonso Saez3Department of Evolutionary and Educational Psychology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, SpainDepartment of Didactics and School Organization, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bilbao, SpainDepartment of Didactics and School Organization, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bilbao, SpainDepartment of Didactics and School Organization, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bilbao, SpainIntroductionAntifeminist discourses have historically emerged in response to feminist advancements. In Spain, the past decade has seen significant feminist progress, yet antifeminist rhetoric has simultaneously gained traction, particularly among younger populations. This study examines the antifeminist narratives present among university students in education programs, a critical demographic as future educators play a key role in shaping social attitudes.MethodsA free association exercise was conducted with 252 students enrolled in education programs. The collected textual data were analyzed using Iramuteq software, applying lexical analysis techniques to identify dominant antifeminist discourses.ResultsThe findings indicate that the most prominent antifeminist narratives among participants center on feminist principles, salary aspirations, perceived disparities in rights, household chores, and the alleged provocative behavior of women. Notably, frequently cited statements include “Feminism does not seek equality” and “They expect to be paid the same”, reflecting common misconceptions about feminism. Despite expressing support for gender equality, participants were less likely to self-identify as feminists.DiscussionThese findings highlight the contradictions within young adults' perceptions of feminism and gender equality. The persistence of antifeminist narratives within future educators underscores the need to address these discourses in academic settings. Integrating feminist pedagogies into teacher training programs is essential to fostering a more equitable and informed educational environment.ConclusionThis study underscores the necessity of actively confronting antifeminist rhetoric within educational institutions to ensure that future educators contribute to gender equality rather than perpetuate misconceptions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1585199/fullfeminismantifeminismuniversity studentseducatorsgender perspective |
| spellingShingle | Nahia Idoiaga-Mondragon Idoia Legorburu Fernandez Maitane Picaza Gorrotxategi Israel Alonso Saez The rise of antifeminist perspectives among future educators: a growing concern? Frontiers in Psychology feminism antifeminism university students educators gender perspective |
| title | The rise of antifeminist perspectives among future educators: a growing concern? |
| title_full | The rise of antifeminist perspectives among future educators: a growing concern? |
| title_fullStr | The rise of antifeminist perspectives among future educators: a growing concern? |
| title_full_unstemmed | The rise of antifeminist perspectives among future educators: a growing concern? |
| title_short | The rise of antifeminist perspectives among future educators: a growing concern? |
| title_sort | rise of antifeminist perspectives among future educators a growing concern |
| topic | feminism antifeminism university students educators gender perspective |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1585199/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nahiaidoiagamondragon theriseofantifeministperspectivesamongfutureeducatorsagrowingconcern AT idoialegorburufernandez theriseofantifeministperspectivesamongfutureeducatorsagrowingconcern AT maitanepicazagorrotxategi theriseofantifeministperspectivesamongfutureeducatorsagrowingconcern AT israelalonsosaez theriseofantifeministperspectivesamongfutureeducatorsagrowingconcern AT nahiaidoiagamondragon riseofantifeministperspectivesamongfutureeducatorsagrowingconcern AT idoialegorburufernandez riseofantifeministperspectivesamongfutureeducatorsagrowingconcern AT maitanepicazagorrotxategi riseofantifeministperspectivesamongfutureeducatorsagrowingconcern AT israelalonsosaez riseofantifeministperspectivesamongfutureeducatorsagrowingconcern |