Negotiating Femininities in the Neoliberal Night-Time Economy

Abstract

The study of gender and sexuality has developed dramatically over recent years, with a changing theoretical landscape that has seen innovative work emerge on identity, the body and embodiment, queer theory, technology, space, and the concept of gender itself. There has been an increasing focus on sexuality and new theorizing on masculinities. This exciting series will take account of these developments, emphasizing new, original work that engages both theoretically and empirically with the themes of gender, sexuality, and, crucially, their intersections, to set a new, vibrant and contemporary international agenda for research in this area. This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Most importantly, a huge and sincere thank you to all of the young women who so kindly gave up their time to participate in the research informing this book. They have shaped and made this book what it is and all contributions have been invaluable. I am very grateful to all participants and appreciate the insight into their lives and the warmth, humour and thoughtfulness which were brought to the interviews. This book would not be possible without these young women and those who generously helped with recruitment.

‘It Feels Like Life Is Narrowing’: Aspirational Lifestyles and Ambivalent Futures among Norwegian ‘Top Girls’

“…This othering mainly centred around the presentations of bodies and displays of a 'hypersexualised' femininity, such as women who 'use their money on silicone boobs' (Maria), are 'girly-girls' (Nikoline), wear 'sexy and skimpy outfits' (Hanna, Tiril), 'stilettoes and sequinned dresses' (Maren) or 'make-up, stilettos and a nice hair-do' (Maja). These descriptions were in line with numerous accounts of 'troublesome' femininities in relation to alcohol and nightlife settings (see Griffin et al, 2013;Jackson and Tinkler, 2007;Nicholls, 2018 for examples of this). Following Skeggs (1997), such distanciations from what is seen as 'vulgar', 'excessive' and 'sexualised' are central in constructing positions as 'respectable' middle-class women.…”

“…Most research on femininities and alcohol consumption has focused on young women's negotiation of 'excessive' and 'hypersexual' forms of femininity associated with drinking in public (Bernhardsson and Bogren, 2012;Griffin et al, 2013;Nicholls, 2018). According to Beverley Skeggs (1997: 95), classed and gendered identities intersect as 'femininity is always defined through class'.…”

‘I feel like I have to become part of that identity’: Negotiating femininities and friendships through alcohol consumption in Newcastle, UK

“…Althoughas I have discussed elsewhere -the women did also talk about getting drunk as a pleasure in its own right (Nicholls 2019), this focus on the perceived benefits of alcohol in terms of enhanced sociability, intimacy and trust allows women to frame drinking as something that has wider benefits than simply providing a means to get 'wasted' (a practice framed as traditionally unfeminine).…”

“…Participants identified with a range of sexualities (two-thirds heterosexual, one-third bisexual, lesbian or queer) and class backgrounds (46% working-class, 31% middle-class and 23% 'do not identify with a class'). All 5 participants were White British, and whilst I have explored elsewhere the salience of race, class and regional identities in this research (Nicholls 2019), such analysis is beyond the scope of this paper. It is also interesting to note that regardless of class identity, there were several overlaps and similarities in the ways in which alcohol consumption and drinking practices were discussed.…”

A Balancing Act: Agency and Constraints in University Students’ Understanding of and Responses to Sexual Violence in the Night-Time Economy

“…Everyday forms of sexual violence, such as 'microaggressions' (Sue 2010) entailing nonconsensual sexual attention and sexual harassment, are particularly common experiences for women and girls in various contexts (Girlguiding 2017;Vera-Gray 2016), including the night-time economy (NTE hereafter) (Kavanaugh 2013;Ronen 2010;Graham et al 2017). While the gendered construction of women's intoxication, as well as the prevalence and impact of sexual violence in student communities has been the focus of a growing body of scholarship, there is much less exploration in the UK context of young people's experiences of such violence within the NTE (for exceptions, see Gunby et al 2019;Nicholls 2018). This paper seeks to add to this emerging debate by exploring the contours of sexual violence in the NTE in order to understand how students construct and respond to such violence through analysis that locates their experiences within broader sociocultural contexts and structural conditions that shape their agency.…”