What do you think the new wave of feminism is going to be like?

Question

What are the fourth wave of feminism issues ? What do you think about the term post-feminist? Do you think you will be a postfeminist in post-patricarchy?

Answer 1

I think that we are dealing with a generation of women who have never had to fight for equality; their brand of feminism is different than that of those women during the Civil Rights movement who were really fighting for things. Now, I think that we are in a period of maintenance and gradual improvement, and I think that we are failing at our job. Too often, we are too lazy to defend our rights and they are gradually being taken from us.

Answer 2

The fourth wave, so-called, already exists: you can find it in anthologies of writing like Turbo Chicks or Without a Net. It's a wave that's deeply involved in ethnicity, class, and ability. It's politicised and grassroots, involved more in the environment than the boardroom. Fourth wave feminism listens globally and acts locally, rather than importing Western notions to different cultures. It's informed by traditions of indigenous women's cultures and rights.

I think the main issue for the fourth wave is grappling with the complexities of international politics: how do you stand up to The Man when all media is owned by one company? How do you define your politics when politicians claim they are going to war in the name of feminism? How can employment rights be defended without becoming the sole focus of feminist work? How can divisive voices on sexuality, pornography, religion and identity be reconciled - or should they be?

Feminism has split (and has been split from the start). Now it seems like there's a post-feminism for ultra-privileged women, who claim their huge divorce settlements or dismissal payouts are "feminist" (which, in some sense, they are), and on the other give nothing back to the community. Feminism still holds for women and communities without such privilege, although because of the way that "feminism" as a word has been associated with these ultra-privileged women, and used as a putdown, there are women (and men) now engaged in feminist politics and activities who may not use the word - they may talk about equity instead.

Another big issue for current grassroots feminists is the complex web of questions around transgender and transsexual folks. For some feminists, MTFs (male to female transsexuals) are not welcome at women-only spaces. This is an attitude that is being challenged by feminists like Le Tigre. But it is also indicative of other new challenges to feminism, particularly the spiralling debate and hateful stereotyping women in the Islamic world. Islamic and African feminisms will be key in shaping and inspiring the next wave.

President Bush's claim to have invaded Iraq in the name of Iraqi women will not.

Answer 3

I think any feminist movement, beyond equity feminism, is doomed. Even equity feminists have a hard enough time coming to the realization that the human race, both men and woman, are evolved animals. This and the variance imposed on our species by differing reproductive strategy's between the sexes must be " gripped ".

Answer 4

After many decades of woman fighting to let men know they are more then poster girls and pieces of meat or property to brag about, covet or share, I feel Women and men are now confused.
Women's rights were promoted and came in strong in the 60s 70s 80s and 90s and even some of them became protected with the law.

However now the the old saying of with everything changing it really just stays the same. Women in this decade are still beaten and treated like chattel and what makes it worse is that the world is aware and it is still happening even more so. More and more shelters are built and there is still no room for women in need.

It is my hope that the men in this world stop living in fear and accept women as partners, instead of trying to control through mental, emotional, physical, financial or sexual abuse.

Women need to keep demanding the rights be up held and accept no excuses.

Those women and men that have made it to the threshold of partnership and equality need ot share with others the success they are having to give others hope.

Answer 5

I have this bumper sticker on my car. Fourth wave? It seems that in the past 20 years we have lost just about everything we gained from the 60's and 70's. I think we have to begin all over but I see a general malaise in women to unite and accomplish anything. It is like we are laying over and playing dead. We had a good candidate for president in Hillary Clinton but now she is laying down and playing dead too. We have lost so much ground I keep thinking we will start wearing house dresses again. Women need a real leader on the order of Martin Luther King. We need to unite under a common banner and stop nit picking at each other and forming little splinter groups with separate causes. Somehow men can unite but women have to get together in little groups and discuss things and never come to a conclusion. Our little splinter groups have to unite under the banner of womanhood instead of focusing on the needs of men.

Answer 6

I do not anticipate considering myself a feminist in the 'post-patriarchical' period, as I do not consider myself a feminist based on what seems to be the current definition of what a feminist means. Originally being a feminist meant that you wanted equality between the sexes. Current feminism equates more with the idea that women are somehow superior than men, yet oppressed by the 'patriarchy' -- whatever the hell that is. Y!A is full of examples of this mind-set.
Feminism today is more of a religion than anything. Students of Women's Studies, or the laughingly titled "Gender Studies" courses are thouroughly indoctrined. Tell them that the wage gap is a myth, then back it up with proof, and you're met with anger and disbelief. Tell them that just as many men are beaten or otherwise abused by their wives as women are by their husbands, and you're called a misogynist, even if you provide tonnes of research to back up your claim. Opposition isn't based on fact, but on faith. It's like talking to born-again Christians. They know what they know, and refuse to listen to anything different.
Feminism in the future will contine along these lines. It has to. The "Women's Industry" is a multi-billion dollar industry across the world, with money coming in from governments, not-for-prophet agencies, private donations, cout mandated donations, etc... continuing ridiculous claims (ie: wage gap, SuperBowl myth, refusal to acknowledge male victims of domestic violence, continued claims to barriers to education / employment, etc...) have to happen to ensure that this money continues to flow in. A steady flow of the faithful graduates from Women's Studies will ensure that doctrine will not be questionned.

Answer 7

Feminism will take a new form in women wanting to stay home to take care of their children and raise a family. Unfortunately, our economy doesn't allow for that for the majority of people.

Answer 8

I don't know. I'm not geisha, but I do enjoy doing for my hubby and family and I still enjoy being treated like a lady and admit there are things I can't do because I'm not physcially strong enough. I don't care for women who act like men and try to do everything a man does.

Answer 9

Actually, I feel feminism is headed for demise. Feminists have spent 5 decades promising a better life for women. In stead, they have only made life harder. Feminism is the single greatest disappointment in modern history.

Answer 10

...wow,...you're really getting deep into feminism...

...how do you feel about women who just want to be treated like a lady?