Beyond politics: The real drivers of feminist identity in Spain

Many people express support for equal rights for women, yet they don’t describe themselves as feminists. This seems somewhat contradictory, and it is especially noticeable in Spain, where there’s an active and polarized public debate around gender issues. So, if people agree with the ethos, why resist the label?

In a recent study, Margarita Martí Ripoll, Senior Lecturer in the Department of People Management and Organization at Esade Business School, explored this question, alongside professors Josep Gallifa and Ana Belén Fernández-Torres from Ramon Llull University.

Through a national telephone survey of more than 4,000 adults in Spain, the study’s goal was to delve deeper than surface-level assumptions and discover what actually drives people to identify as feminists. The findings reveal that political ideology plays a smaller role than expected. The strongest factor influencing feminist identification is a person’s emotional connection to broader issues of social justice, together with the perception that gender inequality is real and systemic.

It’s not just about politics

The study challenged the common assumption that feminism is primarily a political identity aligned with the left.

According to Martí and her co-authors, feminist identification is not primarily driven by political ideology, but by other social and psychological factors.

This is especially true among men. Their political ideology actually has no significant effect on whether they identify as feminists. This is striking evidence that feminism cannot simply be reduced to a broader ideological divide. As the authors note, feminist identification “is anchored primarily in affective resonance and perceived injustice,” rather than political positioning.

There’s an important mindset shift here. To truly understand feminism, we mustn’t be restricted by traditional political categories. Feminism isn’t merely a reflection of left-right alignment; it is born from a more complex mix of personal experiences, perceptions, and emotional responses.

The power of emotion

The study revealed the important role emotion plays in whether or not people identify as feminists. Among those surveyed, people who felt sympathetic towards liberal social movements such as environmental, human rights, LGBTQ+, or pacifist causes were more likely to identify as feminists.

“Sympathy for social movements showed strong associations with feminist identification,” say the researchers. This emotional alignment seemingly serves as a gateway, influencing how individuals connect with broader ideas of justice and equality.

This shows how feminist identity grows from a foundation of empathy and shared values. People who connect emotionally with causes that champion fairness and inclusion are more inclined to view feminism as part of the same moral landscape.

The dynamic in Spain is a good example. Over the past few years, mass mobilizations such as the International Women’s Day marches have brought millions of people into the streets. According to reports, Spain has witnessed some of the largest feminist demonstrations in Europe. This reflects a broader culture of civic engagement when it comes to issues of social justice. But this isn’t just ideology; participants feel a sense of emotional identification and collective energy.

Seeing inequality matters

Feminism isn’t driven only by emotion, but also by perception. People who can see that gender inequality is real, be it in pay scales, career opportunities, or exposure to violence, are increasingly likely to say they are feminists.

Although this seems obvious, the research highlighted an important nuance. A person who recognizes inequality doesn’t necessarily identify as a feminist. Some people will acknowledge gender disparities, but at the same time, distance themselves from being labeled ‘feminist’. Why? Possibly due to a stigma they associate with the label, or competing interpretations of what feminism represents.

Overall, “perceptions of gender discrimination do play an important role in rendering feminist identification socially meaningful and politically justified,” says Martí.

A gender divide in how feminism is understood

Men and women appear to follow different paths toward feminist identification.

Women understand feminism through an integrated framework of emotional alignment, recognition of inequality, and political ideology. And each of these dimensions reinforces the other.

For men, there are different drivers behind whether or not they see themselves as feminists. As the study notes, “For men, feminist identification was primarily associated with emotional alignment and perceptions of injustice, with ideological orientation showing no meaningful association.”

This suggests that feminism for men may be less tied to formal political beliefs and more to interpersonal or relational factors. It also alludes to the possibility that feminism is still perceived, culturally, as a women-centered issue, which limits its integration into men’s broader ideological identities.

Why this matters in a polarized society

The study’s insights are particularly significant in Spain, where polarization is growing. Debates on gender equality policy and gender-based violence legislation are hotly contested.

Although there have been some advances in Spain’s gender equality, gaps remain. Data confirms that the gender pay gap persists, albeit less significantly than in some other European countries. Public debate is also ongoing around gender-based violence and unequal representation in leadership.

Given this panorama, framing feminism purely in ideological terms may limit its reach. If individuals don’t classify themselves as being within a political category, they may also reject identities associated with it. By contrast, approaches that emphasize shared values—such as fairness, dignity, and human rights—may resonate with more individuals.

The work of Martí and her colleagues shows that connection and perceptions of injustice appear to cut across ideological boundaries, offering a more inclusive pathway to engagement. Ideology is not irrelevant, but only one part of a larger picture.

Rethinking how feminist identity is built

The research by Martí, Gallifa, and Fernández-Torres invites a change of perspective. We should consider that feminist identity does not come about solely through political alignment, but that it is created through a combination of empathy, experience, and interpretation.

In this sense, encouraging people to embrace feminism may have less to do with where they stand politically, and more to do with how they relate to emotional solidarity and perceptions of injustice in their day-to-day lives.