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An Exploration of Women's Perceptions of Their Feminist And Florida International University FIU Digital Commons FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations University Graduate School 3-20-2018 Negotiating Self: An Exploration of Women's Perceptions of Their eF minist and Submissive Identities Carolyn Meeker Florida International University, [email protected] DOI: 10.25148/etd.FIDC004093 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd Recommended Citation Meeker, Carolyn, "Negotiating Self: An Exploration of Women's Perceptions of Their eF minist and Submissive Identities" (2018). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3690. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3690 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the University Graduate School at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Miami, Florida NEGOTIATING SELF: AN EXPLORATION OF WOMEN’S PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR FEMINIST AND SUBMISSIVE IDENTITIES A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATION in ADULT EDUCATION & HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT by Carolyn Meeker 2018 To: Dean Michael R. Heithaus College of Arts, Sciences and Education This collected papers dissertation, written by Carolyn Meeker and titled Negotiating Self: An Exploration of Women’s Perceptions of Their Feminist and Submissive Identities, having been approved in respect to style and intellectual content, is referred to you for judgment. We have read this collected papers dissertation and recommend that it be approved. _______________________________________ Hilary C. Landorf _______________________________________ Laurie Shrage _______________________________________ Thomas G. Reio, Jr. _______________________________________ Tonette S. Rocco, Major Professor Date of Defense: March 20, 2018 The dissertation of Carolyn Meeker is approved. _______________________________________ Dean Michael R. Heithaus College of Arts, Sciences and Education _______________________________________ Andres G. Gil Vice President for Research and Economic Development and Dean of the University Graduate School Florida International University, 2018 ii © Copyright 2018 by Carolyn Meeker All rights reserved. iii DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to everyone who seeks courage within yourself to live life as you choose, while striving to do no harm to others. This dissertation is dedicated to every kinkster who’s been told that you’re not enough: every submissive who’s been told that you’re not a twue submissive every Dominant who’s been told that you’re not Dominant enough every switch who’s been told that you need to choose every person who’s been told that you are too old, too young, too thin, too big This dissertation is dedicated to every community member who creates and supports safe spaces where people learn about BDSM/Leather/kink. This dissertation is dedicated to everyone who creates and supports shared spaces where anyone is welcome regardless of sex, gender, gender expression, side of the slash, relationship status, ability, age, size, race, ethnicity, and every other way in which people are marginalized within society. This dissertation is dedicated to everyone who creates and supports sacred spaces where people with similar characteristics or interests create community. Thank you TNG and TOG; sub, Dom, and switch roundtables; venues for our Leathermen and Leather women; groups for our trans members, People of Color, critters, littles, rope, whips, and so many more. This dissertation is dedicated to the 23 women who shared your stories. Your willingness to speak about your identities, experiences, and challenges was a gift to me, as it will be for others. I admire your courage in living life as you choose (to the extent possible) and your willingness to share your knowledge in the support of others. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I first acknowledge my Major Professor, Dr. Tonette S. Rocco, for being readily accessible, including students in projects, and creating peer support groups. I also acknowledge Dr. Thomas G. Reio, Jr., whose welcoming smile opens the door to questions such as: What about curiosity? Dr. Laurie Shrage was recommended as a potential committee member on the basis of her research interests. I left our first meeting with a video, two articles, and introductions to two other researchers. I was nervous to approach Dr. Hilary Landorf because I did not know her well. However, my research was soon improved because of her thoughtful questions and feedback. All of my committee members demonstrate genuine care for students and I am blessed. I must also acknowledge my peers. Dr. Gisela Vega, Dr. Craig Michael McGill, and Chaundra Whitehead: Thank you for being my foundation over the years. Yselande Pierre, Sabrena O’Keefe, and Christina Reddick: Thank you for providing structure in this final year. Dr. Valerie Morgan, Dr. Sue Gallagher, and Dr. Michael Whitt: While not peers in this process, I appreciate your encouragement and feedback. I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Richard Sprott, my CARAS Mentor and Executive Director of the Community-Academic Consortium for Research on Alternative Sexualities (CARAS). Thank you for helping me to get organized, graduate, and identify a research agenda. Your breadth of experience is very helpful. My final acknowledgement is for my family and friends who have supported me throughout this process. Thank you Mom, Dad, Lily, and Julie. Thank you Joel. Thanks to all of my friends, to Michelle Phelan, Rosie Cruz, and Stephanie Strange, for your patience in sharing my time with a million other things and people that are not you. v ABSTRACT OF THE COLLECTED PAPERS DISSERTATION NEGOTIATING SELF: AN EXPLORATION OF WOMEN’S PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR FEMINIST AND SUBMISSIVE IDENTITIES by Carolyn Meeker Florida International University, 2018 Miami, Florida Professor Tonette S. Rocco, Major Professor As women navigate the intersecting meanings of feminism and submission, some struggle to reconcile their feminist politics and submissive practice (i.e., belief in equality and desire to yield authority). Bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism (BDSM) has been examined through diverse feminist lenses, including radical feminism, postcolonial world-travelling, and a sex-critical approach. However, scant empirical research focuses on the intersection of feminist and submissive identities. The purpose of this collected papers dissertation was to better understand the identity navigation of women in the BDSM community who identify as feminist and submissive. Two studies were conducted to explore this gap. Study #1, a structured literature review of BDSM, examined how feminism and submission are discussed related to women who are feminist and submissive. Data were collected through a library database search, Google Scholar, reference scans, and Google Scholar Cited by. Important segments of data were identified and analyzed. Four themes emerged: feminism in the context of BDSM, normalization of BDSM, navigating identities, and power as transgressive. Implications focus on three areas: the importance vi of consent, transgression, and diversity; helping women understand and navigate identities; and reducing stigma through education. Study #2, a phenomenological study, explored how 23 women in the BDSM community perceive and navigate their feminist and submissive identities. Data were collected through interviews. Inductive analysis revealed six themes: feminist identity as distinct from feminist values, the complexity of submissive identity, women learn to accept their submissive identity in different ways, BDSM community perceived as generally accepting of feminist identity, feminist community perceived as not very accepting of submissive identity, and being out as feminist and as submissive. Implications focus on four areas: exploring how women challenge oppressions; understanding how women understand and negotiate consent; learning about how individuals learn about, develop, and engage in BDSM D/s relationships; and examining how college women experience these identities, feminism, submission, consent, and abuse while they develop as individuals. The findings can apply to counseling, feminism, sex education, higher education, adult education, and human resource development through incorporation into curriculum, training, and policies. Research and practice can be enhanced through exploring how consent is understood, operationalized, and violated; broadening discussions about identity development; and increasing awareness of how adults learn. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. COLLECTED PAPERS INTRODUCTION ................................................................1 Background to the Problem .....................................................................................1 Problem Statement ...................................................................................................4 Purpose of the Collected Papers ..............................................................................4 Research Questions ..................................................................................................4 Overarching Conceptual Framework .......................................................................5 Identity ..................................................................................................................5
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