Abstract

This thesis examines the agency of participants in the True Woman movement whose commitment to submission often proves troubling to outside critics. Drawing from his theoretical work on modern disciplinary power relationships, this project utilizes a Foucauldian framework to analyze observations surrounding the shared body of knowledge unique to biblical womanhood, the disciplinary techniques leaders employ, and acts of resistance within the '10 True Woman Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. Data was collected through participant observation at a weekend-long true woman gathering, content analysis of public messages, and several informal interviews and conversations with true women. Ultimately, this analysis demonstrates that true women adopt attitudes and lifestyles-ones that include submission-as free agents. Moving from the assumption of agency that this project explores and supports, future research can expand the existing body of scholarly work surrounding the true woman worldview and the ramifications of participants' chosen associations with biblical womanhood.

Department

Religious Studies; Sociology and Anthropology

Disciplines

Religion

Keywords

evangelical, christian, conservative, women, agency, foucault, power, discipline

Publication Date

2011

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2011 Laura Stricklen