Abacklash is a strong negative or hostile reaction to a particular idea, action, trend, or social change. It often arises when individuals or groups perceive a threat to their values, status, or power. Insociopolitical contexts, particularly withinidentity politics in theWestern world, the term is frequently used to describe reactions against efforts to advance the rights or visibility ofmarginalized groups.
Backlashes can manifest as public opposition, policy reversals, or cultural resistance, and are often viewed as attempts to restore a previous social or political order. Scholars sometimes interpret backlash not as a denial of change, but as a response driven by perceived loss,resentment, or fear of displacement.
Me Too Movement — Impacted women in the workforce. Men were more reluctant to hire women deemed attractive, more reluctant to have one-on-one meetings with women, and had greater fears of being unfairly accused. In addition to this, 56% of women surveyed predicted that men would continue to harass them but would be more cautious to avoid being caught.[3] Backlash of date-rape prevalent with misleading language used in media. In 1987 it was called an "epidemic" and in 1993, "rape hype"; terms that were exaggerated and victim oriented.[4]
"This bill temporarily restricts federal funding for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. Specifically, the bill prohibits, for a one-year period, the availability of federal funds for any purpose to this entity, or any of its affiliates or clinics, unless they certify that the affiliates and clinics will not perform, and will not provide any funds to any other entity that performs, an abortion during such period. This restriction does not apply in cases of rape or incest or where a physical condition endangers a woman's life unless an abortion is performed.[5]
LGBT backlash — Bathroom bills and medical bans are proposed to restrict the rights of transgender youth and adults. Arguments center around fair play in sports and sexual harassment in bathrooms.[6]
Bikelash - A colloquial term about the social and political resistance to the creation of urban infrastructure intended to accommodate safercycling, seemingly at the expense of the use ofautomobiles.[8]
Greendorfer, Susan L. (1998-04-01). "Title IX Gender Equity, Backlash and Ideology".Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal.7 (1):69–93.doi:10.1123/wspaj.7.1.69.ISSN1063-6161.
Pierce, Jennifer L. (2003-09-01). "Traveling from Feminism to Mainstream Sociology and Back: One Woman's Tale of Tenure and the Politics of Backlash".Qualitative Sociology.26 (3):369–396.doi:10.1023/A:1024070310729.ISSN1573-7837.S2CID142585188.
Pierce, Jennifer L. (2003-03-01). ""Racing for Innocence": Whiteness, Corporate Culture, and the Backlash Against Affirmative Action".Qualitative Sociology.26 (1):53–70.doi:10.1023/A:1021404020349.ISSN1573-7837.S2CID140760711.
Mann, Kirk; Roseneil, Sasha (1994-11-01). "'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em': Backlash and the gender politics of the underclass debate".Journal of Gender Studies.3 (3):317–331.doi:10.1080/09589236.1994.9960579.ISSN0958-9236.
Rogers, Mary F.; Lott, Phillip B. (1997-06-01). "Backlash, the Matrix of Domination, and Log Cabin Republicans".The Sociological Quarterly.38 (3):497–512.doi:10.1111/j.1533-8525.1997.tb00489.x.ISSN0038-0253.
Phelan, Julie E.; Rudman, Laurie A. (2010). "Prejudice Toward Female Leaders: Backlash Effects and Women's Impression Management Dilemma".Social and Personality Psychology Compass.4 (10):807–820.doi:10.1111/j.1751-9004.2010.00306.x.ISSN1751-9004.
Pierce, Jennifer L. (2013). "White Racism, Social Class, and the Backlash Against Affirmative Action".Sociology Compass.7 (11):914–926.doi:10.1111/soc4.12082.ISSN1751-9020.
