"Coming and Staying and Working and Stuff"

Contents

1. Introduction

1.1. Prologue: Theorizing girlhood as a transnational conversation

1.2. Methodology

1.3. Feasibility

1.4. Thesis

2. Setting

2.1. From Industrial Modernity to Late Modernity

2.2. The Concept of Place in Late Modernity

2.3. The Emergence of Post-feminism

3. A Transnational Case Study: Contemporary Representations of New Femininities in Bournemouth

3.1. Me, myself and I: Mobility, Individualism and Self-realisation in a Post-feminist Context

3.1.1. Mobility and the Self

3.1.2. Success, Ambition and Identity

3.2. Making the Right Choice: Young Women in the New Economy

3.2.1. Get Everything You Want: Young Femininities and Consumerism

3.2.2. Education and Career

4. Conclusion

Research Objectives and Themes

This dissertation examines contemporary notions of young female identity by analyzing the lived experiences of ten women in a Southern English town. The research explores the tension between public representations of successful "new femininities" and the actual, often complex lives of young women, focusing on their struggle to navigate socioeconomic instability, mobility, and career expectations within a neoliberal framework.

• The discrepancy between "Girl Power" rhetoric and lived feminine realities.
• The impact of global mobility and "educational migration" on identity formation.
• Individualization and the pressure of "making the right choice" in a post-feminist context.
• The role of consumer culture as an arena for self-realization and empowerment.
• The persistence of gender and class inequalities despite meritocratic narratives.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Introduction: The author introduces the research topic, providing a personal perspective on the "Girl Power" discourse while outlining the study's methodological approach and feasibility.

Setting: This chapter contextualizes the transition from industrial to late modernity, defining how place and post-feminist ideology influence the contemporary understanding of womanhood.

A Transnational Case Study: Contemporary Representations of New Femininities in Bournemouth: The core chapter presents the interview data, exploring themes of mobility, the "new meritocracy," the role of consumerism in defining feminine citizenship, and the realities of education and employment.

Conclusion: The thesis summarizes the main findings, highlighting that young women's lives are far more complex than the "can-do" success stories often portrayed in media and policy.

Keywords

New femininities, post-feminist, global mobility, consumer culture, educational migration, choice biography, meritocracy, women’s employment conditions, neoliberalism, identity, transnationalism, self-realisation, risk society, late modernity, agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this dissertation?

The dissertation explores the gap between public discourse regarding successful, ambitious "new femininities" and the actual, lived experiences of young women navigating a neoliberal, post-industrial landscape.

What are the central thematic fields?

The work centers on themes of global mobility, the influence of consumer culture, the pressure of "choice biographies," and the realities of low-skilled employment for educated young women.

What is the primary research question or goal?

The study aims to critically examine how young women manage the contradictory demands of the "new meritocracy," which promises limitless success while simultaneously offering fewer support structures in an era of socioeconomic insecurity.

Which scientific method is employed?

The research is a qualitative ethnographic case study, primarily utilizing ten in-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews to gather subjective data on the women’s everyday experiences.

What is covered in the main section of the study?

The main part analyzes the interview findings regarding self-images, the necessity of mobility and "educational migration," the role of consumption in identity creation, and the challenges faced in the labor market.

Which keywords best characterize this work?

Key terms include "new femininities," "post-feminist," "global mobility," "consumer culture," "choice biography," and "meritocracy."

How does the concept of "educational migration" feature in the lives of the participants?

Many participants use Bournemouth as a temporary base to study English or pursue degrees to improve their international employment prospects, often while struggling with low-paid service sector jobs.

Does the dissertation conclude that "Girl Power" is a liberating concept?

No, the research suggests that "Girl Power" discourse can be a double-edged sword; while it promotes an image of independent success, it also places immense pressure on young women to be solely responsible for their achievements while masking persistent structural inequalities.