Analyzing the perception of young Koreans towards radical feminism and their anti-feminist sentiments

Abstract

This study attempted to investigate the effect of radical feminism on anti-feminist sentiments among young Koreans. For this purpose, the attitudes and perceptions of men and women aged 20 to 29 about gender equality, feminism, and radical feminism were investigated through an online survey. The typology of postfeminism and backlash was used to determine whether such perspectives fit into these discourse criteria. This survey findings show that male respondents in their twenties hold both postfeminist and backlash attitudes. They believe that gender equality exists in Korea and that feminism is no longer necessary, hence fit into the postfeminist discourse. Similarly, these men feel that radical feminism has been bad for men and marginalized them in society, therefore can be associated with anti-feminist backlashes. This study suggests that young males in Korea have a negative perception of radical feminism which results in the development of postfeminist beliefs and anti-feminist backlash. On the other hand, female respondents in the survey showed rather diverse and often contradictory viewpoints as compared to male respondents. Hence, further detailed study from the viewpoint of young Korean women is needed to understand and analyze how radical feminism is affecting anti-feminist sentiments among them.