Name: Yash Kaushik

Please answer the following questions by referring to class discussions and relevant texts used in the
course. While writing critically, refer to materials and scholarly works outside the class materials but rele-
vant to the questions below.
I expect you to research the topics and answer critically.
All works need to be cited following APA guidelines.
Please answer on this document.
What is feminism? Who is a feminist?
1. First interview 4 people (your family members and friends, but not people from this class) and ask
them what they think feminism is. Would they consider themselves feminists? Why or why not?
2. Write down each person’s response and anything you notice about their body language as well. Divide
the responses into negative and positive evaluations of feminism. (These notes are for you only).
3. After you’re done the interviews and you’ve thought about the responses, ask yourself: where do ideas
about feminism come from? Did you make any assumptions about your friends’ answers? Why are there
so many ideas about feminism? What do you think it means to be a feminist?
Did you find resonance of the three waves of feminism discussed in class with the responses from your
interviewees? Explain how and why?

Write a 500-600 word essay (2 pages) that addresses these questions regarding feminism and what it
means to be a feminist.
Your paper should be in 12-point font, Times New Roman, with one-inch margins. You do not need any
special cover page. You don’t need to hand in the interviews or any notes you’ve taken. I only want your
finished, thoughtful paper.
Please proofread your papers. Spelling errors and grammatical mistakes will lower your grade.

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Feminism is a multifaceted and evolving social and political movement that seeks to address and
rectify gender-based inequalities and discrimination. At its core, feminism advocates for the
equal rights, opportunities, and treatment of all genders, challenging traditional gender roles,
norms, and power structures. However, it is important to note that feminism is not a monolithic
ideology, and there are various interpretations and perspectives on what it means to be a feminist
and what the movement should entail.
To gain a better understanding of how people perceive feminism and whether they consider
themselves feminists, I conducted interviews with four individuals, including family members
and friends. Each person had unique perspectives on feminism, and their responses revealed a
mix of positive and negative evaluations of the movement.
Interviewee 1 expressed support for the core values of feminism, emphasizing its historical role
in advocating for gender equality. However, they expressed concern that contemporary feminism
has sometimes been co-opted for unrelated purposes, leading to a diluted message. Their view
suggests a positive evaluation of feminism's historical role but a negative evaluation of how it's
currently portrayed.
Interviewee 2 identified as a feminist and underscored the importance of female representation.
They acknowledged the existence of gender differences but believed that feminism should focus
on ensuring equal opportunities rather than equal outcomes. This perspective leans toward a pos-
itive evaluation of feminism, emphasizing its role in promoting representation and opportunity.
Interviewee 3 recognized feminism as a movement for equal rights, primarily addressing system-
atic patriarchy. However, they did not identify as a feminist and felt that feminism could some-
times be forced upon men. They argued that in certain contexts, like their college, feminism may
not be necessary due to gender equality. This response appears to have a mixed evaluation of
feminism, acknowledging its historical necessity but questioning its relevance in some situations.
Interviewee 4 views feminism as a movement for equality among all genders and actively identi-
fies as a feminist. They stress the importance of inclusivity, particularly in workplaces, and high-
light how certain laws and policies have been shaped without adequate female representation.
This individual sees feminism as essential in empowering women and advocating for their repre-
sentation in positions of power.
Upon reflection, it is evident that ideas about feminism vary significantly among my intervie-
wees. This diversity in perspectives can be attributed to several factors, including personal expe-
riences, cultural backgrounds, social context, media influences and exposure to feminist dis-
course. It is also influenced by the ongoing evolution of feminism, as different waves of the
movement have focused on distinct aspects of gender inequality and expanded the scope of femi-
nist goals. It is important to note that some individuals may have assumptions and misconcep-
tions about feminism, associating it solely with promoting women's rights at the expense of men,
while others appreciate its broader goals of gender equality and inclusivity.These assumptions

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can stem from media portrayals, stereotypes, or limited exposure to the broader feminist dis-
course.
The concept of waves of feminism can be discerned in the responses from the interviewees. The
first-wave feminism, which focused on securing voting rights for women, was indirectly ac-
knowledged by Interviewee 1 when they referred to the movement's historical role. The second-
wave feminism, often associated with issues related to upper-middle-class white women, seems
less pronounced in the responses, possibly indicating a shift in focus towards more inter-sec-
tional concerns.
The third-wave feminism, characterized by a commitment to inclusivity and recognizing the ex-
periences of diverse groups, is evident in the responses of Interviewee 4, who emphasized the
importance of representation and inclusivity in feminism. However, Interviewee 3's perspective,
which questions the necessity of feminism in certain contexts, may reflect a more nuanced view
of the movement's application, demonstrating the ongoing evolution and diversity of feminist
thought.
In conclusion, feminism is a complex and evolving movement that has played a crucial role in
challenging gender-based inequalities and injustices. People's perceptions of feminism are di-
verse and influenced by various factors, resulting in both positive and negative evaluations of the
movement. The interviews highlight the importance of understanding the historical context and
ongoing evolution of feminism, as well as the need for continued dialogue and education to pro-
mote gender equality and justice for all. Ultimately, what it means to be a feminist is a matter of
personal belief and engagement with the principles of gender equality and social justice.

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Citation
1. Kang, Lessard, Heston, & Nordmarken. (n.d.). HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY
FEMINIST SOCIAL MOVEMENTS. In INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN, GENDER, SEXUAL-
ITY STUDIES. UMass Amherst.