Neoliberal Feminism and the Discourse of Self-Improvement
1st Edition
Published on 30. April 2026
Book
Hardback
152 pages
978-1-032-46356-8 (ISBN)
Description
Neoliberal Feminism and the Discourse of Self-Improvement utilises feminist
critical discourse analysis to examine the language and narratives within self-help
literature targeted at women.
Giuliana Ferri critically explores the discourse of self-improvement, focusing
on how neoliberal values of empowerment and individual fulfilment have been
co-opted by elite feminism as a "technology of the self". She unpacks how this
discourse constructs an idealised image of the "empowered woman"-one who
is portrayed as capable of overcoming patriarchy through the affirmation of
innate strength and resilience. Drawing on Marxist feminism and feminist
social reproduction theory, the book highlights how neoliberal feminism markets
women as entrepreneurs, "badass feminists", and successful working
mothers, all while obscuring the realities of increasing work precarization and
flexibilisation in post-industrial societies.
Through its feminist critical discourse analysis, the book reveals how these
seemingly empowering narratives shift the responsibility for systemic change
onto individuals, rather than positioning feminism as a collective, anti-capitalist
movement for liberation. By integrating applied linguistics with Marxist feminism
and social reproduction theory, this text provides a unique interdisciplinary perspective,
making it a key reading for scholars and students of language, gender,
and economic systems.
critical discourse analysis to examine the language and narratives within self-help
literature targeted at women.
Giuliana Ferri critically explores the discourse of self-improvement, focusing
on how neoliberal values of empowerment and individual fulfilment have been
co-opted by elite feminism as a "technology of the self". She unpacks how this
discourse constructs an idealised image of the "empowered woman"-one who
is portrayed as capable of overcoming patriarchy through the affirmation of
innate strength and resilience. Drawing on Marxist feminism and feminist
social reproduction theory, the book highlights how neoliberal feminism markets
women as entrepreneurs, "badass feminists", and successful working
mothers, all while obscuring the realities of increasing work precarization and
flexibilisation in post-industrial societies.
Through its feminist critical discourse analysis, the book reveals how these
seemingly empowering narratives shift the responsibility for systemic change
onto individuals, rather than positioning feminism as a collective, anti-capitalist
movement for liberation. By integrating applied linguistics with Marxist feminism
and social reproduction theory, this text provides a unique interdisciplinary perspective,
making it a key reading for scholars and students of language, gender,
and economic systems.
Reviews / Votes
"In the wake of an ubiquitous, normalised, commercially successful, and seductive appeal of neoliberal feminist values, we are confronted by a culture of post-social critique. True to feminist critical discourse studies, Ferri offers a robust engagement of feminisms to deliver a compelling and lucid critique of a privileged I-centered feminism at the heart of self-help discourses, and to return a decisively critical feminist gaze upon resistance and hopeful collective futures."Michelle M Lazar, Associate Professor, National University of Singapore
"Ferri convincingly explores the complex relationships between female empowerment and neoliberalism, offering a rigorous and thorough examination of self-help literature targeting women. The book navigates the mosaic of intersectional identities, capitalism, colonialism, as well as the paradoxes that continue to disadvantage women within imbalanced gendered hierarchies."
Federica Formato, Senior Lecturer in Sociolinguistics, University of Brighton
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Postgraduate
Illustrations
4 s/w Tabellen
4 Tables, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
460 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-46356-8 (9781032463568)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
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Giuliana Ferri
Neoliberal Feminism and the Discourse of Self-Improvement
Book
04/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
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Giuliana Ferri
Neoliberal Feminism and the Discourse of Self-Improvement
E-Book
04/2026
Routledge
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Giuliana Ferri
Neoliberal Feminism and the Discourse of Self-Improvement
E-Book
04/2026
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
Person
Giuliana Ferri is an Associate Professor in Language and Intercultural Communication at the IOE, University College London, in the Department of Culture, Communication and Media.
Content
Table of contents
Chapter 1. An Introduction to the Contested History of Feminism.
Introduction. The Waves of Feminism: A Contested Narrative Contesting the Narrative of the Waves of Feminism Gender Critical Feminism Femonationalism Conclusion. Aims and Outline of the Book
Chapter 2. The Marxist Wife (Still Does the Housework). Reproductive Labour and the Feminisation of Work.
Introduction. Marxist Feminism. Marxist Feminism and the ''Woman Question''.
Is Reproductive Work Productive? The Marxist Wife (Still Does the Housework)
Marxism and the Oppression of Women Patriarchy and Accumulation on a World Scale Wages for Housework Workerism and Wages for Housework Wages for Housework: Race, Class and Sexuality The Feminisation or Housewification of Work Conclusion. Positioning Affective Labour in the Feminised Neoliberal Economy Chapter 3. Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis Introduction. Feminist Linguistics
The Gender Order
The Reproduction of Gender Heteronormativity Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis The Analysis The Selection of Texts Conclusion. FCDA and Reflexivity
Chapter 4. Neoliberal Feminism and Self-Help Literature.
Introduction. Self-Help and Neoliberal Feminism. Neoliberalism.
Self-Help Literature.
The Neoliberal Gendered Self and Confidence Culture
Conclusion. 'Having It All''. The Rise of Neoliberal Feminism
Chapter 5. The Neoliberal Discourse of Female Empowerment
Introduction. The Discourse of Female Empowerment
Female Entrepreneurship Working Mothers Conclusion. The Empowered Rebel Feminist Conclusion. Social Reproduction and a Feminist Politics of the Commons.
Chapter 6. The Neoliberal Discourse of Female Leadership. Lean In or Lean Out?
Introduction. The Neoliberal Discourse of Female Leadership
Leadership and Gender Equality in the Workplace Lean In Feminism Lean Out. Reactions to Corporate Feminism Lean Out and Right-Wing Feminism Conclusion. The False Dichotomy of Lean Out/Lean In Feminism
Chapter 7. Neoliberal Subjects and Feminist Self-Help. The Discourse of Neoliberal Feminism. Introduction. The Discourse of Neoliberal Feminism. Feminist Self-Help Self-care as a Political Act of Resistance The Future Conclusion. List of Online Resources
Chapter 1. An Introduction to the Contested History of Feminism.
Introduction. The Waves of Feminism: A Contested Narrative Contesting the Narrative of the Waves of Feminism Gender Critical Feminism Femonationalism Conclusion. Aims and Outline of the Book
Chapter 2. The Marxist Wife (Still Does the Housework). Reproductive Labour and the Feminisation of Work.
Introduction. Marxist Feminism. Marxist Feminism and the ''Woman Question''.
Is Reproductive Work Productive? The Marxist Wife (Still Does the Housework)
Marxism and the Oppression of Women Patriarchy and Accumulation on a World Scale Wages for Housework Workerism and Wages for Housework Wages for Housework: Race, Class and Sexuality The Feminisation or Housewification of Work Conclusion. Positioning Affective Labour in the Feminised Neoliberal Economy Chapter 3. Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis Introduction. Feminist Linguistics
The Gender Order
The Reproduction of Gender Heteronormativity Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis The Analysis The Selection of Texts Conclusion. FCDA and Reflexivity
Chapter 4. Neoliberal Feminism and Self-Help Literature.
Introduction. Self-Help and Neoliberal Feminism. Neoliberalism.
Self-Help Literature.
The Neoliberal Gendered Self and Confidence Culture
Conclusion. 'Having It All''. The Rise of Neoliberal Feminism
Chapter 5. The Neoliberal Discourse of Female Empowerment
Introduction. The Discourse of Female Empowerment
Female Entrepreneurship Working Mothers Conclusion. The Empowered Rebel Feminist Conclusion. Social Reproduction and a Feminist Politics of the Commons.
Chapter 6. The Neoliberal Discourse of Female Leadership. Lean In or Lean Out?
Introduction. The Neoliberal Discourse of Female Leadership
Leadership and Gender Equality in the Workplace Lean In Feminism Lean Out. Reactions to Corporate Feminism Lean Out and Right-Wing Feminism Conclusion. The False Dichotomy of Lean Out/Lean In Feminism
Chapter 7. Neoliberal Subjects and Feminist Self-Help. The Discourse of Neoliberal Feminism. Introduction. The Discourse of Neoliberal Feminism. Feminist Self-Help Self-care as a Political Act of Resistance The Future Conclusion. List of Online Resources