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In:Social Media and Society: Integrating the digital with the social in digital discourse
Edited by Majid KhosraviNik
[Discourse Approaches to Politics, Society and Culture 100] 2023
► pp. 167–186

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Sexism in digital discourses of women

Connecting the digital and social dimensions when comparing the #Sendeanlat and #Metoo campaigns

 | Marmara University
Published online: 14 April 2023
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https://doi.org/10.1075/dapsac.100.09sah
Abstract
The chapter points to implicit sexist codes in digital discourses inadvertently produced by women while supporting cyberactivist movements. Drawing on research on feminism and guidelines in Social Media Critical Discourse Studies, the chapter concentrates on the discursive practices of both Turkish and global cyberactivist movements. It tries to show the roots of micro-power produced by users in the context of cultural differences by comparing two campaigns. #MeToo and #SenDeAnlat hashtags have been chosen and analysed by CDS, considering the impact of a digital interface. The analysis includes using sexist language, e.g., degrading words for the female body; reproduction of traditional unequal social roles, e.g., men as protectors and punishers; victim-perpetrator reversal, e.g., victim-blaming through their physical appearance, dress code, and drinking; and developing strategies for adaptation to a sexist order in public spaces.
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Social media and discursive practices
  • Social media: Critical Discourse Studies
  • CDS, gender, and digital feminist movements
  • Analysis and discussion
    • Using man-made language: Sexist swearing and degrading female bodies
    • Recirculating unequal social roles
    • Victim-blaming: Physical appearance, dress and drink seen as provocative
      • Physical appearance
      • Dress
      • Drink
    • Adaptation to the sexist order: Advice on how to avoid sexual harassment
    • Spiral of silence or “name and shame!”
  • Conclusion
  • Post-script developments
  • Notes
  • References
References (57)
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