Introduction to Feminism

Introduction to Feminism

Everyday Sexism

Watch the Everyday Sexism TED talk from Laura Bates (linked above) and answer the following questions:

1) Why did Laura Bates start the Everyday Sexism project?

Laura Bates started the Everyday Sexism project to speak up on the sexism that's still happening in today's society. She published it as a website which posted examples of sexism that users faced every day. Laura set it up after finding feminism hard to talk about, saying: ‘Again and again, people told me sexism is no longer a problem – that women are equal now’.  The response she received proved differently, with 50,000 entries of sexist experiences made by December 2013.

2) How does the Everyday Sexism project link to the concept of post-feminism? Is feminism still required in western societies?

Yes, because women ought to feel protected and aware that experiencing sexism is unusual and inappropriate. They shouldn't be treated in this manner. As a result, post-feminism does not exist because women continue to face similar criticism and acts directed towards them. Thus, feminism remains essential in Western societies. 

3) Why was new technology essential to the success of the Everyday Sexism project?

In order for them to share their experiences and stories with others, it was able to link countless women from all over the world who were either disabled or not. It was helpful in illustrating how women are mistreated and continue to suffer in silence.

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?

A post-feminism world is definitely possible because of how feminism will continue to influence society and educate people about gender equality and sexism, encouraging them to speak out when they see it. People will be able to recognise that sexism and gender equality are serious problems that need to be addressed. 

Media Magazine: The fourth wave?

Read the article: The Fourth Wave? Feminism in the Digital Age in MM55 (p64). You'll find the article in our Media Magazine archive here.

1) Summarise the questions in the first two sub-headings: What is networked feminism? Why is it a problem?

Networked feminism is aiming to tackle social equality issues found both on, and using, modern technology. The internet has so many denominations, societies and communities of people who claim to be feminists, and equally as many for those who claim to be against it, and so definitions and ideologies can become blurred.

2) What are the four waves of feminism? Do you agree that we are in a fourth wave of ‘networked feminism’? 

• The ‘first wave of feminism’ began in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, with a main focus on suffrage.
• The ‘second wave’ began in the 1960s, campaigning for the growth of equal rights and leading to the Equal Pay Act of 1970, amongst other equality laws. 
• Since the late 1990s, we are believed to have entered the ‘third wave’ (often identified as post-feminism).
• The new fourth wave of feminism is also known as ‘networked feminism’. It aims to tackle social equality issues found both on, and using, modern technology.

I do agree that we are in the fourth wave of 'networked feminism'. Nowadays everything has evolved on media, and majority of the population access it. If there is injustice going on, then posting it on social media and giving women a voice can give awareness to those who don't know what's going on, and they can fight against those inequalities. 

3) Focus on the examples in the article. Write a short summary of EACH of the following: Everyday Sexism, HeForShe, FCKH8 campaign, This Girl Can.

• Everyday Sexism: The project was started by Laura Bates back in 2012 as a website which posted examples of sexism that users faced every day. Laura set it up after finding feminism hard to talk about, saying: ‘Again and again, people told me sexism is no longer a problem – that women are equal now’.  The response she received proved differently, with 50,000 entries of sexist experiences made by December 2013.
• HeForShe: Watson’s campaign focuses on male support for gender equality, highlighting the fact that feminism is not about promoting matriarchy, but solidarity. Her digital commitment means that you can pledge to help the women’s issue online, and has generated a huge response. Watson utilised Twitter for a Q&A session during the campaign’s promotion at Davos, and represented both feminism and He For She as dynamic and integrated.
• FCKH8 campaign: The movement focuses on the modern representation of girls and the huge social inequalities they face.
• This Girl Can:  This Girl Can campaign, which has been described as the first fitness campaign for women which doesn’t shame or exclude them, by sharing photos, videos and quotes of women without the usual sexual exploitation of a women’s fitness advert and without body shaming.

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?

My opinion to feminism and the new digital media is that it's good to post awareness of the inequalities between genders and stop sexism, as society has claimed that it is 'normal/okay' for women to be assaulted or harassed, when it's not. I agree with the fourth wave concept as lots of media can be accessed from the internet and it can be used to resolve issues of sexism and women can speak out about their experiences and it could maybe give others awareness of what to do if it happens.