“Perhaps the most important lesson I learned was how closely connected the different forms of inequality are.” : A thematic analysis of the Everyday Sexism Project

Abstract: This thesis set out to explore how, through a radical feminist lens and using the theory of a continuum of violence by Dr. Liz Kelly, the Everyday Sexism Project community thinks about the issue of everyday sexism, how they view everyday sexism in relation to larger, more severe acts of sexist violence, and whether they see potential for change and/or eradication of the former. The analysis discovered that there is strong cognitive dissonance (mental discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes) in how the community speaks about the impact of everyday sexism has had on them. It also found that the frequency of acts, and not the severity, should be more of a focal point when discussing everyday sexism and its relation to larger acts of sexist violence. It also found that, generally speaking, the community is not hopeful for change but does desire it and posit ways to achieve it.