Abstract
This project explores what it means to have personal autonomy that is of value in a relational world. I describe and depict what a 'life that is one's own' may look like, realistically, through describing the experience of personal autonomy. This project demonstrates the necessity of including the psychological element of agency and interpersonal relationships (including group identity) in an account of autonomy. Here, I explore autonomy as an experience which is supported by agential skills and interconnectedness that allow one to self-direct and self-develop. This project focuses on autonomy as experienced under conditions of oppression, and explores the ways in which domination may work as a threshold to autonomy. In this project, I critique traditional accounts of autonomy based in independence or control, and explore the masculinization of these accounts. I then argue for a reworking of autonomy based in a need for the element of agency and inclusion of relational aspects, such as group identity. This project explores the barriers to autonomy and provides paradigm examples focused on oppression and then, sexual violence. This project demonstrates the necessity for agency and interdependence in supporting personal autonomy. This project asserts that autonomy exists even under repressive structures and conditions, yet argues that autonomy is compatible with an ideal of non-domination that we must work towards.