Critically feminizing family science: Using femme theory to generate novel approaches for the study of families and relationships

Abstract

How do values, beliefs, and assumptions about femininity shape relational experiences? To answer this question, we critically feminize family science by applying femme theory to the field. Through this analysis, we present some of the ways that femmephobia (i.e., the systematic devaluation and regulation of femininity across all bodies and identities) is established in childhood and perpetuated throughout various relational contexts across the life course. Specifically, we examine how femmephobia is socialized via families, systematically normalized and perpetuated throughout childhood, and how it shapes gender-based violence risk, perpetration, and tactics. We demonstrate how femme theory illuminates the importance of disentangling the intersectional axes of gender, sexuality, and gender expression, thereby generating novel approaches for family and relationship science and interventions that promote systemic social change. Subordinating and regulating femininity affects all individuals, making its disruption of critical importance for the prevention of gender-based violence and the promotion of healthy families and relationships.

Femmephobia Is a Uniquely Powerful Predictor of Anti-Gay Behavior

“…For example, in one study (Kreiger & Kochenderfer-Ladd, 2013 ), fourth-grade boys and girls who engaged in activities perceived as feminine experienced more victimization and less peer acceptance than those engaging in masculine activities. Hoskin and Serafini ( 2023 ) suggest that femmephobic attitudes develop early in life and that social institutions and systems, such as the family, school, popular culture, religion, and sports, further solidify these attitudes. Fortunately, each context also represents a place where such messages could be “unlearned.” Psychoeducation alongside workshops and training for teachers, coaches, and parents could challenge the femmephobic messages children receive from society (e.g., The Femmephobia 101 Workbook , Hoskin et al, 2023 ).…”

“…For example, femininity is viewed as being acceptable only in very specific circumstances (e.g., when enacted at just the right level and in the right contexts by straight cisgender able-bodied women), but not in any others. Theories invoking femmephobia are rich and have a multitude of implications for individuals of all gender and sexual identities (e.g., Blair & Hoskin, 2019 ; Bonnes, 2022 ; Davies, 2020 ; Hoskin & Serafini, 2023 ). In this paper, however, we focus on one specific prediction arising from this theory: discomfort with femininity in men will be a strong predictor of anti-gay behavior.…”