Zur Internalisierung sexistischer Normen im Kontext cis-weiblicher Subjektivierungsprozesse

The concept of internalized sexism has increasingly permeated popular discourse in recent years. Academically, however, this phenomenon has only been addressed sporadically and with a notable absence of subject-theoretical and therefore power-critical perspectives. Still subjectification theory, which is particularly suited to explaining the internalization of norms, is especially relevant for analyzing the tension between individual autonomy and normative social demands an issue central to pedagogical efforts and feminist liberation. This article addresses this gap by examining the relevance of internalizing sexist norms within cis-female subjectification processes. Drawing on subject-theoretical frameworks (Althusser, Foucault, Butler), alongside key (de-)constructivist concepts of gender and a terminology of sexism, the study establishes that sexist norms operate as mechanisms of sexism understood as a certain power structure. Through subjectification processes, cis-female individuals internalize sexist norms, creating a constitutive interrelationship between the cis-female subject and the sexist structure. Building on these theoretical foundations, this study explores the empirical dimension of this issue by means of a qualitative content analysis of data collected from a group discussion involving four cis-female participants. The findings both theoretically support and empirically confirm that the internalization of sexist norms is relevant in the context of cis-female subjectification processes by influencing the subjective self, behavior, and emotions of the participants at a micro level, while also perpetuating the power structure of sexism at a macro level. In particular, the observation that the influence of sexist norms can hardly be reduced if certain norms are deconstructed in processes of reflection, they are seemingly immediately replaced by other norms raises questions as to how sexist norms can be countered in the sense of feminist liberation at the micro level.

Autorentext
Luisa Brandt studierte Pädagogik (B.A., M.A.) und Soziologie (B.A.) an der Christian-Albrechts-Universi­tät zu Kiel. In ihren Forschungsschwerpunkten befasst sie sich mit Macht, Unterdrückung und diesbezüglich relevanten Differenzkategorien wie Geschlecht aus intersektionaler und (de-)konstruktivistischer Perspektive. Nach Abschluss ihres Studiums ist sie aktuell praktisch im Gewaltschutz in der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe tätig. In der Zukunft strebt sie eine Promotion an.