Feminisms In Dispute: Youth Politics and New Right-Wing Mobilizations

Contemporary societies are experiencing profound political and cultural transformations marked by increasing polarization, democratic tensions, and the global rise of new right-wing and far-right actors. In this context, gender and feminism have become central terrains of political dispute, particularly among younger generations. While feminist movements continue to play a key role in struggles for social justice and equality, new conservative, libertarian, and right-wing youth mobilizations are also reshaping debates around gender, sexuality, family, citizenship, and democracy.

This panel seeks to explore the multiple configurations of contemporary youth feminist activisms in contexts of political polarization. We are particularly interested in contributions examining the intersections between feminist, anti-feminist, conservative, and right-wing mobilizations; the role of emotions, affects, and digital cultures in shaping political identities; and the emergence of new gendered subjectivities among younger generations.

The panel welcomes theoretical, empirical, and comparative contributions from different geographical contexts addressing topics such as feminist and anti-feminist youth movements, digital activism, gender backlash, new masculinities and femininities, right-wing appropriations of feminist discourses, political radicalization, democratic contestation, adoption, reproduction, and defense of traditional gender roles, their interaction with the manosphere and anti-feminism, and the reconfiguration of youth political cultures in the contemporary era.

By bringing together diverse perspectives, the panel aims to contribute to current debates on youth politics, gender, and contemporary forms of political mobilization in increasingly polarized societies.