Article
TOMBOY RESISTANCE AND CONFORMITY: Agency in Social Psychological Gender Theory
Gender & Society
(1998)
Abstract
Using life history narratives, the present study investigates processes of agency and consciousness among 14 women who identified themselves as tomboys. Most informants shared two “moments” of consciousness—a rejection of femininity and a choice of masculinity. Participants also revealed two forms of agency—active gender resistance and conformity. Implications for building agentic understandings of gender identity are discussed. While agency appears to be an important factor in gender identification, it tends to be overlooked by individuals themselves, perhaps through a process of “naturalized embodiment.” In addition, gender consciousness appears to be critical in understanding agency in identification processes.
Disciplines
Publication Date
October 1, 1998
DOI
10.1177/089124398012005003
Citation Information
C Lynn Carr. "TOMBOY RESISTANCE AND CONFORMITY: Agency in Social Psychological Gender Theory" Gender & Society Vol. 12 Iss. 5 (1998) p. 528 - 553 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/clynn-carr/12/