Study of Gender Performances through Philanthropic Activities in Cyberspace (Special case of Instagram)

Authors
Maryam Foroughi 1
Mehri Bahar 2
1 Social Science Department, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan
2 Tehran University
10.22034/jcsc.2019.37358
Abstract
In this article, we have been looking to study the mechanisms of gender performance in charitable work of women in the social network of Instagram, based on Judith Butler's theory of gender performance. Philanthropist women also seem to have a lot of activity in virtual networks. Therefore, we have come to recognize the concept of display and performance of gender identity, the mechanisms and the implementation of gender in the activities of women in the Instagram. The conceptual framework of this paper is based on the concept of "gender discourse" and its related concepts. In this regard, using Lazar's (2007) feminist critical discourse analysis, we analyzed the activities from the profile of 4 active women in Instagram with emphasis on gender as the focal point. The results indicate that:
1-Women's philanthropic activities in cyberspace as a different gender performance.
2-Women's philanthropic activities in cyberspace as a representation of closure.
It seems that gender language acts as a "patriarchal discourse weapon."

Keywords

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Cultural Studies & Communication
Volume 15, Issue 56
Autumn 2019
Pages 141-168