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What is Feminism?
What is Feminism?
Social movement aiming for equality between sexes/genders (Not 100% about women's rights)
Aims to destroy existing stigmas surrounding women, end oppression and discrimination
Fight the patriarchy!!!
Waves of Feminism
Waves of Feminism
First Wave Feminism
First Wave Feminism
Background
Background
19th century - mid-20th century
Mainly white and middle/upper-class women
Advocation for legal and voting rights - Women as "People"
Pros
Pros
Specific and measurable goals
Highly organised
Women in politics
Challenged stereotype of "helplessness"
Most measurable change
Cons
Cons
Relied on racism as a rhetorical tool
Poor women were excluded
Momentum lost after achieving success in gaining rights
Didn't end de facto discrimination
Second Wave Feminism
Second Wave Feminism
Background
Background
Post WW2 - 1980s
Mainly younger people
De facto equality, challenging gender roles - mainly in the workplace
Decline of men's responsibility during war
Pros
Pros
Coordinated with other movements
More marginalised
Challenged de facto discrimination
Challenged roles and respectability
Cons
Cons
Uninclusive of conservative/religious
Created "right" ways of doing things
Internal division
Seen as radical
Third Wave Feminism
Third Wave Feminism
Background
Background
1990s - present
Worldwide & on the internet
About choice and freedom
Advocation for reproductive rights, division in feminism, religious feminism
Pros
Pros
Inclusive of conservative/religious women
Low-committment
More collaboration
More consent and options
Cons
Cons
Shallow engagement
Reinforces status quo
Hollow empowerment
Ignores covert coercion
Some argue we are currently in the 4th wave of feminism, staring from around 2010. It focuses on women empowerment and intersectionality, although, is commonly tied together with what characterises the 3rd wave.
What is Choice Feminism?
What is Choice Feminism?
Especially relevant when discussing 3rd wave feminism - choice feminism says that every decision a woman makes is inherently feminist.
For example:
Comparing a stay-at-home mom to a mom working a 9 to 5.
Feminism argues the stay-at-home mom is sticking to social norms. Choice feminism says that she's expressing her freedom and ability to choose her own path (empower women!)
Pros:
Empowerment, supports idea of personal agency - You have the right to your decisions
Easier + more accessible, provides sense of participation
Cons
Leads to a false sense of accomplishment - Doesn't actually do anything for the movement
Heavy focus on a select group of individuals - middle to high-class women who aren't facing other systematic issues (racism/discrimination, etc) are most benefited
Limits meaning + value of the feminist movement as a whole
Women Antiheros
Women Antiheros
"Good for her" genre
"Good for her" genre
Women perservere sexism or trauma and realise their dreams in the end
Narratives typically follow a "rags to riches" storyline
Protagonist women are antiheroes, because they are morally grey or even in the wrong, and don't fit properly within society
Protagonists often start stories lacking agency in order to drive the plot
While male antiheroes don't fit within social construction, female antiheroes could either fail to fit within social construction or manipulate femininity to deceive for personal gain
Ignoring social restrictions
We must sympathise as the viewer to be compelled by the narrative because actions done by main character are often extreme
Pros of "Good for her"
Pros of "Good for her"
Grant women agency without ignoring gender experiences (e.g. writing as men/without any experiences of sexism)
Survival tactics + tools for self-advocacy
Grant agency to other positions of disprivilege
Reveal significance of seemingly petty victories that can also be tied to patriarchy
Cons of "Good for her"
Cons of "Good for her"
Reactionary ideas about women manipulating femininity are reinforced (e.g. belief that women falsely accuse of rape for self benefit)
Revenge plots frame reaction to patriarchy in a retributive or punitive way, as opposed to restorative
Writers may reinforce belief that cultures are more sexist without acknowledging colonialism's responsibility
Male Alienation
Male Alienation
Began as misunderstood men with antisocialness
Men avoid "settling down" unless domesticated by a woman
Used as vehicle for queer narratives
Advancement of feminism challenges social role of men as household leaders
Women become less tolerant of antisocial behaviour and misogyny
Women taking power
Women taking power
Antiheroes include morally ambiguous women or women from positions of severe alienation due to patriarchy
Women portrayed as having ugliness, moral failings, or frustration and characterise extreme emotions aside from stereotypical hysteria, elation, grief, or offense
Feminism Motion Examples:
Feminism Motion Examples:
THBT capitalism has done more harm than good to women
THR the glorification of motherhood
THR the rise of choice feminism
THBT the project of sexual liberation has failed the feminist movement
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