Gender and the Internet

September 5, 2014

Gender and the Internet

Introduction

Gender Considerations and the Internet, Book to be edited by Rebecca English and Raechel Johns; Proposal deadline 30 Sep 2014

Call for chapters: gender considerations and the internet

There is a dearth of research into the ways that women behave on the Internet. While it is often assumed that women are less prevalent on the Internet than are men, the rise of the mummyblogger, and the use of social media among women when they become mothers, suggests that there is a change occurring in the demographics of Internet and social media use and online behavior more broadly. However, limited research exists that explores how women behave online, what they do online, how their online behavior influences their health, their children, their families and the purchases they make. It is in this gap that the book will be positioned.

This book looks to discuss and address the ways that online technologies are taken up by women. The editors will seek chapters that address different aspects of women’s internet use and their online behaviours by focusing on ebusiness, support for health and related activities through the accessing of blogs dealing with IVF, birth, breastfeeding and infertility blogs, the ways that young university students use social media both inside and outside the classroom, the ‘mommyblog’ and related topics. Additionally, the book will explore the impact of such technologies on ways women engage with their peers, their friends and what it means for the ways families purchase products and services in connected times.