There is no denying that Feminism had been a rising topic of conversation in the past years, yet it is difficult to find a conversation about it without heavy controversy. One question from a recent poll shows that only a mere 18 percent of Americans consider themselves Feminists, yet when prompted again, 85 percent of Americans responded that they believe in equality for all women (New York Times/ Women in the World). The responses to these two questions show the confusion surrounding the term and the movement in general. The term feminism is defined as a series of social movements working toward equality for all gendered persons (Nelson). In no way does that definition imply that feminists think women are superior, yet the word can’t seem …show more content…
During the second wave, Womanism developed because of a disappointment in feminism as it started to focus specifically on white, middle class woman. Womanism concentrates on the intersections of race, gender and class and how equality should be found for people, not just a specific grouping (Nelsons powerpoint). During the second wave, a group identified as the liberal feminists also emerged. They strived for equality in all spheres of life and focused on structural and legal changes that would certify and protect their quality (Nelsons powerpoint). The third wave of feminism, starting in the 1990’s and continuing into the current time is often seen as a more evolved second wave. I definitely fit myself into the third wave of feminism as it emphasizes everyday acts of resistance and embracing all people in the feminist movement, and while the third wave focuses less on identifiable groups, I feel the liberal feminism fits my positon …show more content…
It is eye-opening to learn of all the different perspectives and how they compare to one another, and why I am ecstatic to be able to more clearly define where I fall in the spectrum of Feminism and Womanism, it frustrates me that I have to be able to so articulately explain myself. When asked why I am a Feminist my immediate answer is always “I am a human, so why wouldn’t I be?” To me, this answer should be enough because Feminism is not about women claiming their superiority, it is about striving for equal rights for every person, yet not everyone realizes this. While I had the privilege of growing up with parents who were very open and made me aware of social issues from a young age, I also grew up with a twin sister whose opinions opposed mine in every way. A hardcore Republican and so called “Meninist,” my sister has been affronting my beliefs on Feminism and political views for years and I am used to constant debate on the topic and defending my views is a common occurrence. I contribute part of my passion for equality to the fact that I have been working so hard my entire life for just one person to see the Feminist movement the way I do and I now want to further this and spread Feminism to as many people as I possibly
While women continue to be ranked as the weaker sex by popular opinion, feminists have bright hopes in a change towards their liberation. As Rebecca Solnit stated, “feminism has just started and it’s not stopping now. We are witnessing a full-fledged war, not of the sexes but of gender roles”(Solnit). Feminism and the right to equality has been a long and arduous struggle for women before the Civil Rights Act. The Feminine Mystique sparked a change, questioning society, which continues today as women fight for equal treatment regardless of laws that claim for their protection. Feminists will continue to fight for the day where women will be treated as equals, where there will be no gender bias, and for the day when a woman can state her mind, just as her male counterpart, without being called an uptight
The word feminism is sometimes misinterpreted and associated with female superiority and hatred of men, although most people probably agree that feminism can mean the desire for social and economic parity. There is so much baggage surrounding this term that clarification of what feminism is and is not, is essential. Indeed, the way feminism has developed has not been pretty. “Feminism over the years have [sic] evolved away from its noble purpose of creating awareness and defending women rights to creating new ridiculous ‘belief systems.’...feminism has become more like a medium for angry women to vent their hatred and frustration towards man”(“Feminism is Chauvinism”). This definition goes completely against the true meaning of what feminism entails. Feminism can be defined as a fundamental respect for others and the desire for equality between men and women.
The image that is usually placed with feminism is that of a rabid, bra-burning, lesbian running around disclaiming the patriarchy. It could be that of a mid-century housewife complaining about how her only career choices are between teacher and secretary, or even of a woman with a sash and banner walking in front of the White House; preaching about her right to vote. However, this isn't necessarily the case. Ever since the rise of the internet, in the late 20th Century, feminism has had a revival causing it to grow in popularity and spread across forums everywhere. Women are joining this “third wave” movement to bring an end to the societal injustices that still plague the gender today (qtd. in Haslanger et al.). Feminism currently represents much more than it did in its infantile stage, having evolved to include relevant issues that affect every woman in today’s subordinating world. Issues such as rape culture, slut shaming, abortion and the wage gap have all been adapted into the feminist agenda with the hope that, as a united force, women could bring change to a misogynist society. The bra burning days are over, and feminism is on a rise, bringing light to issues that need to be addressed.
“Feminism”, as defined today, is “1: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes,” and “2: organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.”2 Many critics claim that feminism has been active longer than the word itself has existed.3 The word, “feminist” was not in true use until the late 1800s and early 1900s, but activism for women’s rights was alive and well a...
Feminism can simply be defined as a range of movements and ideologies in which share a common ground in terms of defining, establishing and achieving equal opportunities to that of males, in regards to economic, cultural and social rights. It is a critique of male supremacy with efforts in changing this to end the social oppression of women. (Hooks, 2000)
...over the centuries, gender inequalities have changed, from being focused on public inequality such as getting women into both in education and the workplace, as well as giving females voting rights to being focused on the diversity and variety in women’s lives in today’s society as described by third wave feminists from the 1980s onwards, focussing on the women who were previously overlooked by other feminist schools. Earlier feminist schools have been criticised for ignoring the ‘other’ which subsequently led to the development of other schools of feminism such as black feminists, (Smith, 2013). Subsequently, in order to achieve equality for all ‘types’ of females; white, black, working-class, middle-class, heterosexual and homosexual; there will need to be a development of new schools of feminism in order to explain the experiences that each of these groups live.
Feminism is the movement for removing inequalities from society. Women imbued with a spirit of radicalism understand that a liberal feminist attitude, despite the seeming slowness of change that accompanies it, may transform a community more rapidly than a revolutionary approach that alienates those to be convinced and, thus, extinguishes the possibility of improvement. (Weaver 49) Feminists confront the problems of their society in hopes of altering society to be equal.
The phrase “Third-Wave Feminism” was coined by a 23-year-old, African-American woman named, Rebecca Walker during an essay in 1992.This wave has been the most controversial amongst the Feminist community. In association with the advancement of technology, the Third wave feminism has been able to reach a much younger audience. Many older generation feminist feels as if the newer generation is misrepresenting the movement and what it stand for. Historically, Feminist have been more conservative on issues such as expressing their sexuality, but in The Third Wave, many of its new followers feel they deserve the right to express themselves as their male counterpart do. Many claim they are practicing the teachings of women
The most related terms when women’s right is brought up are feminism and feminist. A feminist, by definition, is someone the fights for feminism. The definition of feminism, one the other hand, is very complex. Throughout history, the word has continuously had bad images and connotations thrown its wa...
The origins of Third Wave feminism are highly debated, as there is no clear commonality that this wave uses to differentiate between the First and Second waves that occurred prior. Emerging during the 1990’s, Third Wave feminism sought to build upon the achievements and ideas that were accomplished during First and Second wave’s, by increasing the significance and accessibility of its ideas to a greater spectrum of people.
Second wave feminism is a feminism activity began in the 1960s. (Burkett, 2015) According to the Encyclopedia Britannica second wave feminism is:
The term “feminism” tends to have a negative connotation in today’s culture. Feminism is now focusing on female dominance and male disrespect. Women are fighting for equality, yet using personal bias to define equality, claiming identical rights for all will produce an equal culture. The mainstream feminist movement is using this corrupted view of equality to force rights of women. Contrary to popular belief, true feminism fights for true equality for women, as well as other people groups. The false view of feminism causes women to distort gender roles, dishonor themselves, and degrade men.
In just a few decades The Women’s Liberation Movement has changed typical gender roles that once were never challenged or questioned. As women, those of us who identified as feminist have rebelled against the status quo and redefined what it means to be a strong and powerful woman. But at...
Feminism has always been a colorful word with a wide variety of meanings, interpretations, and connotations. Unfortunately, these definitions and connotations are sometimes depicted in negative and wrong ways. Feminism is not wearing pants and shunning pink and being mean and poo-pooing child-rearing and hating men. It is not about scoffing at those that choose to stay at home with children or judging other women for their own choices. It is not about relying on stereotypes or assumptions about what the word 'woman' should or should not be. Most importantly, feminism is not a universal, one-size-fits-all term, simply because there are so many women living such differing experiences around the world. Rather, feminism is “the organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests” (Radacic). It is the belief that women should have the right to choose to live whatever lifestyle they desire, and the notion that women and men should be considered equals in every aspect of life. Depending on who a person asks, feminism can mean any number of things. When, where, and even how a woman is raised greatly influences and often times, alters, her view and personal definition of feminism and gender equality.
Feminism is defined as the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. It began as an organized activity on behalf of women?s rights and interests. This concept was developed to help women earn a place in a predominantly male society. Unfortunately over the years, the intentions of feminism have become distorted, not only by anti-feminists, but also by the feminists themselves. The principle of equality for women and men has turned into a fight in which feminists wish to be better than men. Feminism has been twisted and misunderstood so much that it has become a harmful idea.