The aim of this term paper is to demonstrate the important role that collective identity formation has played for "Moms Demand Action" in tackling the issue of gun control. Therefore, the key research question underlying this term paper is: what is the function of collective identity in the Moms Demand Action movement?
The killing of 20 school children by a gunman in Newtown, Connecticut on December14, 2012, brought home the issue of gun-related violence to many Americans. The event sparked the emergence of Moms Demand Action, a grass-root movement for stricter gun laws, initiated by Shannon Watts, mother of five children. The goal of Moms Demand Action is to draw public attention to the issue of gun violence and to promote legislative solutions to the problem. The group does this by redefining the issue of gun control as an issue that lies within the responsibility of mothers to protect their children from harm.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
3. MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA IN CONTEXT
3.1 The missing movement for gun control
3.2 The emergence of Moms Demand Action
4. THE FUNCTION OF COLLECTIVE IDENTITY IN THE MOMS DEMAND ACTION MOVEMENT
4.1 Identification with motherhood
4.2 Strategic use of collective identity
5. CONCLUSION
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines how the formation and deployment of a collective identity have contributed to the success and mobilization of the "Moms Demand Action" movement in the context of U.S. gun control politics. It investigates how the group reframes gun control as a maternal responsibility to protect children, thereby creating a shared identity that fosters commitment and strategic polarization against opposing groups.
- Theoretical concepts of collective identity in social movements.
- The historical context of gun control advocacy in the United States.
- Motherhood as a central organizing theme and platform for identity construction.
- Strategic use of identity-based campaigns for public advocacy and policy change.
- The impact of local community organizing on movement sustainability.
Excerpt from the Book
The emergence of Moms Demand Action
The school shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, in 1999, at Virginia Tech in 2007 and the Aurora theater shooting in 2012 are only a few examples that put the issue of gun violence at the center of public attention, however did not radically alter the history of gun politics in the United States. On December 14, 2012, 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot and killed his mother, 20 school children and six school faculty members in an assault on Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. The shooting opened another chapter in the history of gun violence in the United States and once again focused national and international attention on the issue.
In response to the tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America was created, a grassroots movement of American mothers calling for gun reforms that protect people from gun violence. Initiator, Shannon Watts, mother of five children, started a Facebook page a day after the Sandy Hook shooting, in order to reach out to other mothers, who are dissatisfied with the state of gun violence in the United States. The online group quickly became a leading movement for gun control. Two years after Newton, the group had nearly 200,000 active members and chapters in all 50 states that have effected change at the local, state and national level (Follman 2014). Moms Demand Action is a mom-founded organization, however its aim is to increase membership from all citizens, who share the common goal of fighting gun violence in the United States.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the research focus on collective identity within "Moms Demand Action" and defines the primary research question regarding its function for the movement.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW: Explores existing scholarly definitions of collective identity and identity deployment, emphasizing the constructed nature of social movement identities.
3. MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA IN CONTEXT: Details the history of U.S. gun control organizing and the specific emergence of the movement following the Sandy Hook tragedy.
4. THE FUNCTION OF COLLECTIVE IDENTITY IN THE MOMS DEMAND ACTION MOVEMENT: Analyzes how motherhood is used to foster group identification and how strategic campaigns are employed to challenge opposing interests.
5. CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the findings, arguing that collective identity serves as a vital strategic tool for movement sustainability and successful local-level advocacy.
Keywords
Collective Identity, Moms Demand Action, Gun Control, Social Movements, Motherhood, Identity Deployment, Polarization, Grassroots Movement, Sandy Hook, Advocacy, Community Organizing, Incrementalism, Political Strategy, Gun Violence, Identity Work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines the role and function of collective identity formation within the "Moms Demand Action" movement, specifically regarding how it facilitates commitment and influences the group's success in gun control advocacy.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the construction of collective identity, the use of motherhood as a platform for activism, strategic identity deployment, and the effectiveness of grassroots community organizing.
What is the core research question?
The core question is: "What is the function of collective identity in the Moms Demand Action movement?"
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The work utilizes a qualitative analysis of social movement literature and applies it to the specific case study of "Moms Demand Action," supported by an evaluation of the group's public campaigns and organizational history.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers the theoretical foundations of collective identity, the context of U.S. gun violence history, the emergence of the movement, and an in-depth look at how the group utilizes maternal identity to mobilize members and pressure corporate entities.
Which keywords define this research?
The most important keywords are Collective Identity, Social Movements, Motherhood, Gun Control, and Identity Deployment.
How does "Moms Demand Action" differ from previous gun control groups?
Unlike past gun control advocates who focused primarily on legislative issues and law enforcement, "Moms Demand Action" frames gun violence as a personal, maternal responsibility, creating a stronger group identity among victims and potential victims.
What is the "Choose One" campaign?
It is a print campaign launched by the movement in 2013 that contrasts the banning of harmless items like Kinder chocolate eggs with the lack of regulation on assault weapons, aimed at highlighting the absurdity of current gun policies.
What role do "Stroller Jams" play in the movement?
These gatherings serve to maintain the network of members, keep the movement cohesive, and provide a visible platform for pressuring companies to prohibit the open carry of guns in their stores.
- Quote paper
- Alexandra Dorn (Author), 2016, The Function of Collective Identity in the "Moms Demand Action" Movement, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/356477
