The Proud Boys and #metoo: Contemporary Social Movements on College Campuses

• In Event: 3429 - Section on Sociology of Education Refereed Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 13. Higher Education: Retention, Identity and Belonging

Abstract

This paper examines social movements and counter-movements on the contemporary college campus to understand how identity formation can occur in reaction to issues related to gender based violence and Title IX policy. Additionally, I explore how members of the campus community contribute to this process as observers. I conducted 25 semi-structured interviews with students and employees at a flagship University, asking participants about their experiences with gender based violence, campus safety, and Title IX policy. During interviews, participants discussed various student groups and social movements, including the #metoo movement and rightist groups, such as the Proud Boys. By understanding the ways in which participants make sense of these topics, I contend with the ways in which identity formation occurs and is understood on contemporary college campuses.

Author

• Hannah Liebreich, University of Hawaii at Manoa