In this dissertation, I explore the motivations that compelled individuals to share their stories during the #MeToo movement, an unprecedented digital phenomenon that thrust discussions of sexual... Show moreIn this dissertation, I explore the motivations that compelled individuals to share their stories during the #MeToo movement, an unprecedented digital phenomenon that thrust discussions of sexual harassment and assault into the public sphere. The central research question guiding this study was, "What urged users to post during the #MeToo movement?," which worked to uncover why and how the movement became so widespread.. Research demonstrates that when people are sexually harassed or assaulted, often times they do not come forward (Hlavka, 2014). Spencer et al. shares some of the common reasons women do not come forward are that they don’t classify their harassment or assault as a big enough deal, they do not know who or how to report it, they are afraid, they were drunk, they are ashamed, they don’t want to get their assailant in trouble, or they blame themselves (2017). However, those reasons fell by the wayside, as so many people came forward during the #MeToo movement. This paper aims to figure out why that was and how we can continuously get survivors to come forward. This paper also asks the question, did people come forward to share testimony, be part of a movement, or both?Two distinct hypotheses were formulated to unpack the complex dynamics at play The first hypothesis posited that users who engaged with central nodes, encompassing key figures within the #MeToo movement, original contributors, celebrities, and influencers, were more inclined to hold a positive outlook on the movement as a progressive step for women. This data was collected through a quantitative survey, and the analysis yielded inconclusive results, with 79.15% of the sample population expressing support for the movement while only 54.17% reported following central nodes. Qualitative interviews further underscored the multifaceted nature of motivations.The second hypothesis posited that individuals were more inclined to share their personal experiences of harassment or assault online when they observed weak ties within their social networks, such as acquaintances or friends of friends, sharing their own stories. The findings from survey data revealed that 68.87% of participants witnessed weak ties sharing personal experiences or using the #MeToo hashtag on their social media platforms. Qualitative interviews unanimously highlighted the significant influence of observing friends or weak ties posting about their experiences, further underscoring the diversity of motivators behind #MeToo participation.These findings shed light on the multifaceted nature of online activism and the pivotal role of personal networks in shaping the movement's trajectory. In essence, this research demonstrates that while the motivations for user participation in the #MeToo movement are diverse and complex, the presence of weak ties, or distant social relationships or relationships with infrequent interactions, within social networks emerges as a critical influence. Show less
