Christine Posadas

Professor Dayag

HD 381

2017 July 10

Assignment 2: The Waves of Feminism and the New Generation

In the past, when people would hear the word feminist many times they pictured angry

women, hairy women, women who hate men and women who are lesbians and burning their

bras. There are so many common misconceptions about feminism, anything on who they are,

what they want and what the purpose of it is. Now in 2017, we can honestly say there is a long

road ahead, feminism has begun to finally not be seen as such a vicious, dark fight but one in

fairness and diversity. Especially with the support of big celebrities, men and women stepping

into the light in the name of feminism, more and more awareness has been brought to the young

adults who are growing up in this generation. The fight for feminism is not an easy one, and

there is so many directions it can be pulled but for the sake of simplicity, the focus will be on

where we are with feminism in this new generation and how has it come to this.

Feminism is typically defined as a movement to establish equal economical, social,

political rights for women. According to the history of feminism, there have been three waves of

feminist movements through time. The first wave started in the 19th century with the focus of

legal inequalities, especially in the suffrage of women. The second wave took place in the 60’s

through the 80’s that included cultural inequalities, the role of women in society and the norms

of gender. The third wave of feminism cam in the 90’s and on. It consisted of the continuation of

previous waves along with the response of unsuccessful feminism in the second wave. This third
Christine Posadas

Professor Dayag

HD 381

2017 July 10

wave went deeper by including the topic of race with gender, especially minorities. By 2008,

there began a fourth wave. This fourth wave has been a movement that has grown with the power

of current technology. It is combination of previous movements for feminism, including but not

limited to politics, economy, sexuality, and social. Including the awareness of safety, violence,

body image and women empowerment. The new technology that has been able to promote this

new wave comes from social media, blogs, online videos, and the easy access to online

resources.

With this fourth wave of feminism, the movement has helped in showing not only women

but the world that what is happening to women is not individual but collective. Technology that

is shared among the world gives all women the access to chime in, therefore creating a platform

for the political aspect to make some changes. One example of this fourth wave feminism comes

from Laura Bates and her campaign called Everyday Sexism Project. Their website introduces its

project in the following: “The Everyday Sexism project aims to take a step towards gender

equality, by proving wrong those who tell women that they can’t complain because we are equal.

It is a place to record stories of sexism faced on a daily basis, by ordinary women, in ordinary

places. To show that sexism exists in abundance in the UK workplace and that it is very far from

being a problem we no longer need to discuss. To provoke responses so numerous and wide-

ranging that the problem becomes impossible to ignore. To report the way you have been treated,

even if it has not been taken seriously elsewhere. To stand up and say, ‘this isn’t right’, even if it

isn’t big or outrageous or shocking. Even if you’ve got used to thinking that it is ‘just the way
Christine Posadas

Professor Dayag

HD 381

2017 July 10

things are’.” This website has given people around the world the opportunity to speak out, it has

been about 5 years since the project started and it continues to grow.

Another form of movement feminism has taken in the last years has been in form of a

march, this march is called a “Slut Walk.” The first Slut Walks took place in 2011, the purpose

of a slut walk is a protest calling to end this rape culture, which includes the slut shaming of

sexual assault victims, and specifically against the excuse of rape because of a woman’s

appearance. The slut walks also calls for no more sexual violence, no more victim blaming, no

more derogatory labels and no more gender inequality. These slut walks began when a police

officer in Toronto, Canada suggested that as a precaution to sexual assault, women need to avoid

dressing like sluts. From then on, the rallies have taken place all around the world, from the US

to Australia, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Not only are women finding it more comfortable

to come forward and share their experiences, but they are growing strong and doing something

about it. Projects and campaigns such as these are empowering women who didn’t know they

had a voice, unite with others in support of each other. It is giving them the power to realize that

they should not be limited because of their gender and they should be respected no matter what. I

have personally been impacted by this fourth wave of feminism. I never really payed attention to

what feminism was, however through the awareness that has been growing I was able to realize

that I have a voice, though it may be small, I can contribute and be a part of this new movement.

Now it seems like the message isn’t about how scholarly and educated you are, young or old,
Christine Posadas

Professor Dayag

HD 381

2017 July 10

even if you are man or woman, transgender or anything else, the movement invites everyone to

be who they are, as long as they treat each other with respect and equality.

These waves of feminism have often been criticized because it limits and breaks down

the movements, and specifies what was done where and how. I personally feel, like these waves

just keep the movement organized on what had occurred, what has worked, what hasn’t so that

the newer waves coming have the clarity on what to focus on and how to move forward. Social

change in the aspect of feminism is ever changing and moving, just like any other movement.

The great thing about these waves, is that the waves of social change in feminism continue to

clash into the world with high tides. More and more women are becoming empowered and

involved, the forecast looks like there will be many waves to come, and they are coming on

strong.
Christine Posadas

Professor Dayag

HD 381

2017 July 10

Citation

'Slut Walk' marches sparked by Toronto officer's remarks. (2011, May 08). Retrieved July 02,

2017, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-13320785

Cochrane, K. (2013, December 10). The fourth wave of feminism: Meet the rebel women.

Retrieved July 02, 2017, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/10/fourth-

wave-feminism-rebel-women

Diplomats, M. (2016, May 17). The Misconception About Feminism. Retrieved July 01, 2017,

fromhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/montclair-diplomats/the-misconception-about-

f_b_9959932.html

Humm, M. (2003). The dictionary of feminist theory. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.