The #MeToo Movement: a Mixed Methods Analysis of Content Posted and Perceptions of Benefit and Harm
Date
2021
Authors
Drewett, Chloe
Editors
Advisors
Oxland, Melissa
Crabb, Shona
Crabb, Shona
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Abstract
Various societal inequalities exist between men and women that demonstrate the
oppression women still face within society today, including the silencing of women regarding
their experiences of sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape. Instances of these forms of
sexual violence among female victims are high globally, and victim-blaming and societal
biases contribute to high levels of under-reporting of these crimes. The #MeToo movement,
started by Tarana Burke in 2006 and utilised in 2017 on Twitter by Alyssa Milano, aimed to
shine a light on the pervasive nature of sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape. The
#MeToo movement can be considered a new form of activism, hashtag activism, a social
movement enacted online. Social movements can potentially create lasting social change
within society. As a result, it is important to understand #MeToo, including how it developed,
its utilisation and perceptions of this movement among society and those who participated in
it. Across three studies, this dissertation presents a sequential mixed methods analysis of the
#MeToo movement, exploring messages posted on Twitter on the day the hashtag went viral
as well as perceptions of benefit and harm of the movement.
Study 1 used conventional content analysis on a corpus of over 10,000 tweets posted
using the #MeToo hashtag, on the first day the #MeToo movement went viral, to understand
the nature of the content users deemed important to share. The findings from this study show
the role differences in power play in experiences of sexual harassment, sexual assault and
rape.
Study 2 employed a survey to explore perceptions of benefit and harm of the #MeToo
movement and what attitudinal factors were associated with such perceptions. Further, gender
differences concerning perceptions of benefit and harm were also explored. The findings of this study highlight the role of internalised misogyny and protective paternalism in
perceptions of benefit and harm of the #MeToo movement.
Study 3 utilised reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted
with women who participated in the #MeToo movement. This study showed that participants
in the #MeToo movement perceived the movement as beneficial for themselves and mostly
beneficial for society, with a few participants questioning its efficacy at creating lasting
social change.
The final chapter explores the benefits and harm the #MeToo movement has had on
women and society, including a discussion about whether #MeToo has changed the landscape
for women when coming forward and reporting sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape.
Additionally, this chapter explores how the #MeToo movement aligns with previous
frameworks regarding social movements and critiques whether the #MeToo movement
should be considered a social movement or a stepping-stone for a larger movement yet to
emerge. Discussion also includes the implications of this research for policy and educational
settings and recommendations for future research.
School/Discipline
School of Psychology
Dissertation Note
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2021
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