Organizational “Emotion Work” Through Consciousness-Raising: An Analysis of a Feminist Organization

Author: Reger J.

Source: Qualitative Sociology, Volume 27, Number 2, 2004 , pp. 205-222(18)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

In this article I explore how organizational processes link to certain emotional responses, as a way of investigating more fully the role emotions play in social movements. Through the construction of a case study of a feminist group, the New York City chapter of the National Organization for Women (NYC NOW), I analyze how certain emotions, such as anger, alienation, hopelessness and frustration, are redefined within an organizational context. I find that consciousness-raising serves as the organizational process that helps transform personal emotions into a collectively defined sense of injustice. This transformation has the potential of creating actors dedicated to chapter activism.

Keywords: social movements; emotions; organizations; emotion work

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:QUAS.0000020693.93609.6c

Affiliations: 1: Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309;, Email: reger@oakland.edu

Publication date: 2004-01-01