We’ve all heard of the word “feminism” – it’s everywhere on social media, in books, and in the news. How much do you know about this popular movement? Read on to find out more!
What is Feminism?
Feminism is the belief in the equality of the sexes – that women should be allowed the same rights, power, and opportunities as men and be treated in the same way. It can also be defined as the set of activities aiming to achieve this state of equality.
Although feminists (the supporters of feminism) have a common aim – to eradicate sexism in all forms, feminism is not a single set of beliefs. Many feminists disagree about what counts as sexism or what type of actions should be taken against it, developing varying ideologies like liberal feminism, socialist feminism, cultural feminism and eco-feminism.
Contrary to what some might believe, feminists do not believe in the oppression of men. They simply advocate for equal treatment across genders.
The Evolution of Feminism
As ideas of liberty and equality started to gain traction in 17th-century Europe, feminist theories began to emerge at an unprecedented rate. However, it wasn't until the Seneca Falls Conference of 1848 that women rallied together to fight for their rights, marking the beginning of the first of four waves of feminism.
The first wave of feminism focused mainly on women’s suffrage (the right to vote). Although the movement reached its goal in 1920, with the American Congress passing the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote, it largely excluded women of colour. Black women were sometimes forced to walk behind white women in demonstrations, and voting remained difficult for them. Some white women even joined the feminist movement on the basis of racist ideas, angered that black men were granted suffrage before them.
The second wave, beginning in around 1963, called for a societal change regarding restrictive gender roles and strived to put an end to systemic gender discrimination. Second-wave feminists argued that the seemingly individual problems that women face (eg: domestic labour) were in fact systemic, and rallied against the gender stereotypes that confined most women within the domestic sphere. The movement brought about notable legal achievements such as the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which barred sexist discrimination in the workplace, and Roe v. Wade which guaranteed reproductive freedom for women. However, the second wave of feminism remained centred around white, middle-class women.
The third wave of feminism was about to change that. Emerging in the early 1990s, this wave saw the rise of intersectionality, the concept that social categorisations such as race, class, and gender are interconnected, making the experiences of every marginalised individual different. The movement addressed issues such as sexual harassment in the workplace and the lack of women in leadership positions, with the number of women elected to Congress reaching a record-high in 1992. It also encouraged women to show their individuality. Many third-wave feminists embraced a traditionally girlish style of clothing, affirming the value of femininity.
We are currently in the fourth wave of feminism. The rise of social media in recent years has redefined the movement, with activists using hashtags such as #MeToo to allow more women to share their experiences and to hold men accountable for their actions. This digitally-driven wave focuses on addressing sexual harassment, body shaming, and rape culture, while still striving for the inclusiveness and representation that was advocated in the third wave.
Ultimately, the feminists of each wave build upon their predecessors’ achievements while adding unique and timely ideas, thus allowing the feminist cause to evolve into what it is now.
What’s Next?
In the following months, we will be bringing you a variety of articles exploring the impacts of the movement on modern society. Follow our socials to keep up as we dive deep into feminism!
References
Writer: Lorrine Sum
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