Third+Wave+Feminism

Scott McGivern **Third-Wave Feminism ** **What is it? ** Third wave feminism is an expression that encompasses many different variations and aspects of feminist activity. It is the study of feminism marked by a time period primarily starting in the 1992 that continues into present day. The movement began as a progressive response to the short comings of second wave feminism in the 1960s and 1970s. The third wave feminism movement is based on the thought that females are of many colors, ethnicities, nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds (Tong 2009). This wave is described as a youthful continuation of individualist, middle-class liberal feminism (Messner 2002). **History ** With roots in the early 1900s and the 1980s, the third wave of feminism took off in 1992 when a young woman named Rebecca Walker published an article in //Ms. Magazine// (Heywood & Drake, 1997). The article was written in response to the election and confirmation of Clarence Thomas to the United States Supreme court. Walker and another woman, Shannon Liss, instituted the Third Wave Direct Action Corporation with the intent to urge young women to become more involved in social issues (Skeggs, 2008). These social issues that they stressed were reproductive freedom, reclaiming derogatory roles, and social class roles (Skeggs, 2008). The third wave of feminism took off in the 1990s and women all over started holding more prominent roles in society (Skeggs, 2008). The wave still is still around today and is a continuous thing.  **Specific Goals ** he third wave of feminism has goals that differ from those of past feminist movements. The third wave focuses on modern societal problems and personal empowerment, rather than discrimination law and the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (Heywood & Drake, 1997). The agenda involves combating inequalities that females encounter due to their gender, race, sexual orientation, economic status, and education levels (“Waves of Feminism,” n.d.). For many years, the main focus of the schema for the third wave has been centered on women’s rights to reproduce and the reclamation of slander terms for women (Heywood & Drake, 1997). The third wave followers are pro choice. They believe that they should have the rights to access contraception and abortion if they feel it necessary (Gillis et al., 2004). In addition to this, the third wave are trying to change the connotation on derogatory terms such as bitch and slut. Such terms have become so main stream in popular culture today that women feel as though they have the right to take them back (Gillis et al., 2004). However, women do not believe that the words should be censored, but they believe that the meanings and context of the terms can become positive. The third wavers like to think of themselves as survivors, not victims (Gillis et al., 2004). In addition to these two social empowerment aspects of feminism, the third wave also includes women’s workplace rights into the agenda. They push for protection against sexual harassment and compensated maternity leave. Women feel as though they should be treated equally wherever they are (Gillis et al., 2004). **Pop Culture, Punk Rock, and Consumerism ** The third wave feminist movement has strong roots in pop culture, punk rock, and consumerism. Women look for strong leaders in the public eye to help communicate their visions to the general public. Hilary Clinton played an important role in the 1990s for women everywhere. She was the first lady with a vision and a thirst for power. This led her to become a pop icon as well as the great political leader and activist she was. In addition to Clinton, there were many other pop culture icons that had an impact on the third wave (Parry-Giles, 2000). In the 1990s, the pop music group from England known as the Spice Girls made the term “girl power” a household word. This term gave rise to new women warriors in pop culture (Purvis, 2004). With the help of the mainstream media, “girl power” became more than just a word. It evolved into a self-reliant attitude among girls and young women manifested in ambition, assertiveness, and individualism (Soanes & Angus, 2004). Soon after the surface and acceptance of the term “girl power”, women activists gave rise to an underground punk rock movement know as Riot Grrrl. The spelling of the word was changed to add effect and show intensity. I was meant to show that these women were hardcore and that they were not messing around when it came to their rights (Purvis, 2004). The mentality was basically a “do it yourself” philosophy with self reliance as the main message. Riot Grrrl was strongly related to the punk music scene. Many new all female bands began to arise. These groups preached a type of feminism that was new to the time. It was all based on an anti corporate attitude (Purvis, 2004). **Disparagement and Adversity ** With all social movements there is always those who will criticize. The most common criticism of the third wave is that it is not political enough. Its roots are in individualistic power rather than activism (Rowe-Finkbeiner, 2004). As a result, many people believe that this wave of feminism is not outfitted to cultivate social change and it may even discourage women to fight for feminist rights. In addition to this notion, another common adverse opinion to the movement is that this wave of feminism is too focused on identity rather than the some sort of global apprehension (Rowe-Finkbeiner, 2004). . Many women are discouraged to participate in this movement because they have other concerns such as family that they put first. Selfless women with high family values do not find time to participate in personal empowerment. Finally, one of the strongest criticisms of the movement is that search for sexual empowerment is counterproductive. Individual empowerment will not lead to social change and it will not promote the sexual equalization that these women want (Rowe-Finkbeiner, 2004). Gillis, Stacy; Howie, Gillian; Munford, Rebecca (2004). Third Wave Feminism: A Critical Exploration. Palgrave. Heywood, Leslie; Drake, Jennifer, eds (1997). Third Wave Agenda: Being Feminist, Doing Feminism. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Messner, Michael (2002). Taking the Field: Women, Men and Sports. Minneapolis: Minnesota <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Parry-Giles, S. J. (2000). Mediating Hilary Rodham Clinton: Television News Practices and Image-Making in the Postmodern Age. Critical Studies in Media Communication. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Purvis, J. (2004). Grrrls and Women Together in the Third Wave: Embracing the Challenges of Intergenerational Feminism. NWSA Journal. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Rowe-Finkbeiner, Kristin (2004). The F-Word. Avalon Publishing Group. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Skeggs, B. (2008). The dirty history of feminism and sociology: or the war of conceptual attrition. Sociological Review, 56. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tong, Rosemarie (2009). Feminist Thought: A More Comprehensive Introduction (Third ed.). Boulder: Westview Press. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Waves of Feminism//. Georgetown College: Women’s Studies Department.// Retrieved April 9, 2011, from http://www.georgetowncollege.edu/Departments/ws/1st,_2nd,_3rd_wave.htm <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.
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