Minnesota State University, Mankato Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects Capstone Projects 2015 Feminist Identities: Career Choices and Experiences of College- Educated Women Kerry Diekmann Minnesota State University - Mankato Follow this and additional works at: https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds Part of the Gender and Sexuality Commons, Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, and the Work, Economy and Organizations Commons Recommended Citation Diekmann, K. (2015). Feminist Identities: Career Choices and Experiences of College-Educated Women [Doctoral dissertation, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/409/ This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects at Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects by an authorized administrator of Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. Feminist Identities: Career Choices and Experiences of College-Educated Women By Kerry Diekmann A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education In Counselor Education and Supervision Minnesota State University, Mankato Mankato, Minnesota May 2015 Feminist Identities: Career Choices and Experiences of College-Educated Women Kerry Diekmann This dissertation has been examined and approved by the following members of the student’s committee. Dr. Diane Coursol, Advisor Dr. Jennifer Preston Dr. Jacqueline Lewis Dr. Richard Auger ii Acknowledgements I am evermore thankful for the numerous individuals, particularly my friends, family, and partner, who supported me throughout the process of earning a Doctor of Education degree. Each of you impacted my life in so many positive and lasting ways. I am forever grateful to my parents who have been exceptionally supportive in my quest to further my education and empowered me in various ways throughout my life. There are a number of members of the Minnesota State University, Mankato community who have been instrumental throughout the many stages of my dissertation and doctoral coursework – especially the faculty in the departments of Counseling and Student Personnel and Gender and Women’s Studies. I particularly would like to thank the chair of my dissertation committee, Dr. Diane Coursol, and members of my dissertation committee – Dr. Jennifer Preston, Dr. Jacqueline Lewis, and Dr. Richard Auger – for the many hours of reading and guidance they provided. Finally, I express my gratitude and utmost respect to the influential women in my life – those I know personally as well as the feminists and women’s rights activists in generations before me and for the social justice advocates who continue to work for a more equitable world for all. And, I extend special thanks to the self-identified feminist women who openly shared their lived experiences with me through participating in this study. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 1 Background ............................................................................................................. 1 Feminist Movement and Challenges ....................................................................... 5 Employment Equality ............................................................................................. 8 Theoretical Orientation ......................................................................................... 10 Feminist Theory ........................................................................................ 10 Intersectionality and Multicultural Theories ............................................. 12 Career Development Theories .................................................................. 14 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................. 16 Summary ............................................................................................................... 17 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................... 19 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 19 Factors in Women’s Career Development ............................................................ 22 Gender Socialization ................................................................................. 22 Personal Identity Variables ....................................................................... 24 Parental Relationships ............................................................................... 26 Social Class ............................................................................................... 31 Mentoring Relationships and Role Models ............................................... 34 Partners and Motherhood .......................................................................... 37 Sexism ....................................................................................................... 41 iv Racism ....................................................................................................... 44 Feminism and Feminist Identity ........................................................................... 46 Models of Feminist Identity ...................................................................... 47 Influential Factors on Feminist Attitudes or Identity ................................ 49 Outcomes of Feminism and Feminist Identity .......................................... 53 Feminist Self-Identification ...................................................................... 57 Summary ............................................................................................................... 64 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY .......................... 66 Restatement of Purpose ......................................................................................... 66 Research Paradigm ................................................................................................ 67 Postpositivist Epistemology ...................................................................... 68 Feminist Theory ........................................................................................ 69 Intersectionality Theory ............................................................................ 71 Career Development Theories .................................................................. 73 Social Position of the Researcher ......................................................................... 75 Research Design .................................................................................................... 79 Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Approach .............................. 79 Selection of Participants ........................................................................... 82 Research Methods ..................................................................................... 84 Data Analysis ............................................................................................ 86 Standards of Quality ............................................................................................. 88 Ensuring Trustworthiness ......................................................................... 88 Strategies to Ensure Quality ...................................................................... 90 v Summary ............................................................................................................... 93 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS ........................................................................................ 95 Participant Demographics ..................................................................................... 95 Overview of Themes ............................................................................................. 96 Personal Journey to Feminism (Theme Emerged from Research Question 1) ... 100 Innate Sense ............................................................................................ 100 Challenges Related to Identity ................................................................ 102 Influential Factors ................................................................................... 106 Feminism is Complex to Define ............................................................. 111 Community of Support (Theme Emerged from Research Questions 2 and 3) ... 114 Surrounded by Strong Women ................................................................ 114 Helpful Supervisors ................................................................................ 118 Family and Close Friends ....................................................................... 120 Progressive Communities ......................................................................