Identities: Introduction to Feminism
1) Why did Laura Bates start the Everyday Sexism project?
She wanted audiences to realise that sexual harassment is still rife, and just how bad it has become for women, many on a daily basis.
2) How does the Everyday Sexism project link to the concept of post-feminism? Is feminism still required in western societies?
I think that there is still a need for feminism in western societies because you only need to hear Laura Bates' anecdotes to realise how prevalent everyday sexism still is. Considering she is one of 4.5 billion women worldwide, I think it's clear that we're not living in an entirely post-feminist state, but with the rise of NDM I think it's definitely helped women become more confident in raising their voices and coming together to take a stand against everyday sexism, which wouldn't have been the case 20 years ago.
I think that there is still a need for feminism in western societies because you only need to hear Laura Bates' anecdotes to realise how prevalent everyday sexism still is. Considering she is one of 4.5 billion women worldwide, I think it's clear that we're not living in an entirely post-feminist state, but with the rise of NDM I think it's definitely helped women become more confident in raising their voices and coming together to take a stand against everyday sexism, which wouldn't have been the case 20 years ago.
3) Why was new technology essential to the success of the Everyday Sexism project?
It gave a voice to the voiceless and enabled vulnerable women to express their feelings and past experiences with other women who had experienced similar things. This therefore let women know that they were not the only people who had been through these things and gave them a sense of community and less of a sense of isolation.
4) Will there be a point in the future when the Everyday Sexism project is not required? What is YOUR view on the future of feminism?
I don't think there will ever be a point where the Everyday Sexism project isn't relevant in society because although it is only a minority, the mindsets of men who are inclined to treat women as objects or in the way that Laura Bates recounts will not change. I think that the general public are receiving the message of feminism but not everyone takes the initiative to act on it as Laura Bates has done. However, I do think that with people like Laura Bates encouraging women and young girls to voice their experiences, it exposes the reality of sexual harassment and enables other women to do the same.
1) Summarise the questions in the first two sub-headings: What is networked feminism? Why is it a problem?
Networked feminism is considered to be part of the fourth wave of feminism, a part which incorporates technology, especially social media to incite further feminist action, action that 20 years ago wouldn't have been possible. Many argue that it has become a problem because of how vast technology is and how the real idea of feminism has been forgotten amongst this technological evolution. It has led people to come up with their own definitions of feminism so people are unsure of what it really means or how to approach it.
2) What are the four waves of feminism? Do you agree that we are in a fourth wave ‘networked feminism’?
The first wave of feminism came about in the late 1800s and was coexistent with the Suffragette movement. It was the first time anyone had fought as relentlessly as the Suffragettes did for the female right to vote so is now considered the first wave of feminism. The second wave of feminism started during the 1960s when women were fighting for equal pay rights, hence the Equal Pay Act of 1970. The third wave of feminism is considered to be the time since the 1990s where technology has evolved, celebrities have been speaking out more and involving the general public in their fight for equality and this time is often referred to as post feminism because some believe that we have reached a state where there is no longer the need for feminism. The fourth stage is known as 'networked feminism' which is the idea that the majority of feminism and equality is predominantly campaigned for online and through social media and that it's become like one big network of people fighting for the same thing.
3) Focus on the examples in the article. Write a 100-word summary of EACH of the following: Everyday Sexism, HeForShe, FCKH8 campaign, This Girl Can.
4) What is your opinion with regards to feminism and new/digital media? Do you agree with the concept of a 'fourth wave' of feminism post-2010 or are recent developments like the Everyday Sexism project merely an extension of the third wave of feminism from the 1990s?
1) Summarise the questions in the first two sub-headings: What is networked feminism? Why is it a problem?
Networked feminism is considered to be part of the fourth wave of feminism, a part which incorporates technology, especially social media to incite further feminist action, action that 20 years ago wouldn't have been possible. Many argue that it has become a problem because of how vast technology is and how the real idea of feminism has been forgotten amongst this technological evolution. It has led people to come up with their own definitions of feminism so people are unsure of what it really means or how to approach it.
2) What are the four waves of feminism? Do you agree that we are in a fourth wave ‘networked feminism’?
The first wave of feminism came about in the late 1800s and was coexistent with the Suffragette movement. It was the first time anyone had fought as relentlessly as the Suffragettes did for the female right to vote so is now considered the first wave of feminism. The second wave of feminism started during the 1960s when women were fighting for equal pay rights, hence the Equal Pay Act of 1970. The third wave of feminism is considered to be the time since the 1990s where technology has evolved, celebrities have been speaking out more and involving the general public in their fight for equality and this time is often referred to as post feminism because some believe that we have reached a state where there is no longer the need for feminism. The fourth stage is known as 'networked feminism' which is the idea that the majority of feminism and equality is predominantly campaigned for online and through social media and that it's become like one big network of people fighting for the same thing.
3) Focus on the examples in the article. Write a 100-word summary of EACH of the following: Everyday Sexism, HeForShe, FCKH8 campaign, This Girl Can.
4) What is your opinion with regards to feminism and new/digital media? Do you agree with the concept of a 'fourth wave' of feminism post-2010 or are recent developments like the Everyday Sexism project merely an extension of the third wave of feminism from the 1990s?
Personally, I think we've come a long way in terms of feminism, especially with regards to NDM. I would be inclined to agree that the development of NDM does warrant a 'fourth wave' of feminism because it brings people together in such a way that no other wave of feminism has done. It allows women worldwide to be instantly connected by means of Twitter, blogs, Facebook, Instagram and so many more and enables them to fight together for the same thing, regardless of where/who they are. It's able to give them a sense of belonging to a community of people who understand them whereas in the 1990s, although feminism was becoming much more prominent in the media, technology wasn't as advanced as it is now, so they'd have had to fight/campaign in much smaller groups or even alone, making them feel isolated, misunderstood and as if they were to blame.
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