EXPLORING THE DETERMINANTS OF FEMINIST CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE UNITED-STATES

Previous research on the determinants of gender-related group consciou sness has focused either exclusively or primarily upon structural or d emographic determinants at the expense of attitudinal or ideological p redispositions. This study questions the theoretical assumption upon w hich the extant literature is based, that group consciousness is a pro duct of personal experience. Using data from the 1992 American Nationa l Election Study, we construct a model of feminist consciousness that incorporates a variety of variables measuring ideological predispositi ons in addition to variables measuring adult life circumstances and ch ildhood and adult socialization. Gauging the relative explanatory powe r of each set of independent variables, we find that feminist consciou sness in 1992 is, in large part, a function of core, ideological belie fs about race and equality, as well as partisanship and liberal-conser vative self-identification. Neither direct personal experience with no ntraditional gender roles nor exposure to nontraditional ideas and rol e models can account for much variation in consciousness.