This thesis critically evaluates mainstream New Age constructs of femininity in Slovenian public space and globally. In the theoretical part, I was interested in how culture, socialization, and myths effect the traditional and New Age constructs of femininity. The thesis shows how different interpretations of women's biological processes create specific socio-psychological consequences in women's position inside society and family. Through thematic analysis, I was researching how women that are involved in New Age religion interpret women's nature, how these interpretations relate to traditional constructs of femininity, how New Age practices interpret menstruation and which human qualities are considered gender-specific inside this frame. New Age constructs of femininity reinforce the idea of traditional woman's role as something »natural«, they impose certain views that influence the way one interprets female-specific biological processes. With that, they reinforce inequality in the private and public lives of women and they offer opportunities for conceptually deepening the difference between genders and thus reinforce the patriarchy.
|