Complicit or Social Conditioning? Analyzing Women's Antifeminist Stances Across Cultures

Abstract

The persistent resistance of some women to feminism, a movement fundamentally designed to advance their rights, presents a critical paradox in gender studies that demands systematic investigation. This study examines why women oppose feminist ideals through a systematic synthesis of 49 peer-reviewed studies across 23 countries, identifying four key factors: (a) deep-rooted patriarchal socialization that naturalizes gender inequality, (b) perceived material and social benefits from traditional roles, (c) institutional reinforcement through religion and conservative media, and (d) neoliberal appropriation of feminist rhetoric that alienates disadvantaged groups. Findings reveal that antifeminist women often rationalize their stance as morally necessary or pragmatically advantageous, including educated women, particularly when social networks reward conformity. Challenging simplistic “false consciousness” narratives, the analysis demonstrates how structural incentives and cultural conditioning interact to sustain opposition. The study urges informed interventions, ranging from economic policies addressing material precarity to faith-based feminist dialogues, offering a pathway for bridging ideological divides in gender justice movements.