Feminism

Feminism is a belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests.

The 4 waves of feminism

First wave:

- This took place during the late 19th century
- Primarily characterized by the women’s suffrage movement and their championing of the woman’s right to vote
- The women’s suffrage movement largely excluded and discriminated against women of color
- White women were eventually guaranteed the right to vote in 1920 under the 19th amendment whereas women of color wouldn’t have the universal right to vote until 45 years later with the Voting Rights Act of 1965

Second wave:

- 1960s to the 1990s
- Encompassed far more issues such as pay equality, reproductive rights, female sexuality, and domestic violence
- Many of these goals were achieved through legislation and important court decisions
- The second wave movement made some attempts to encompass racial justice, it remained a lesser priority than gender. Class and race were viewed as secondary issues, if they were considered at all.

Third wave:

- Emerged from the mid 1990’s
- Challenged female heteronormativity
- Third wavers sought to redefine femininity and sought to celebrate differences across race, class, and sexual orientations
- While third wave feminists support feminism, they reject many stereotypes of the feminine ideal, sometimes even rejecting the word “feminism” itself.

Fourth wave:

- Is newly emerging over the last decade or so
it has been characterized as “queer, sex-positive, trans-inclusive, body-positive, and digitally driven.”
- Fourth wave feminism is seen as characterized by action-based viral campaigns, protests, and movements like #MeToo advancing from the fringes of society into the headlines of our everyday news.
- It seeks to further deconstruct gender norms