Second Wave Of Feminism

Words: 759
Pages: 4
Open Document
Feminism, a term that is often thrown around in today’s media and daily conversations. However, the definition of the word can change from person to person, although the connotations of a fluid definition usually tend to be of negative value, when regarding feminism; fluidity, individualizing, and an evolving definition is crucial to the very being of ‘feminism’. While it may be true that feminism is not a static term, when emotions and personal experience are involved, having a standard base to build and branch from for individuals is imperative to the cause. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary “Feminism is the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” (Merriam-Webster, 2018), though this is one of the …show more content…
Each wave engulfs the first and creates a different wave which holds water from new and prior waves. That is what happened with feminism as well, bringing forth “second-wave” feminism in the 1960s. The second wave of feminism focused more on all women being the same in an attempt to bring equality between the many different classes, ethnicities, and more for women (Lecture 5, 2018). During this movement the right to vote was finally granted to all women. Furthermore, second wave feminists fought to resist the socially constructed patriarchy, and the androcentric society. The patriarchy was constructed in a style where women were conceived to only be capable of house work, and jobs that care for the men in society, such as a secretary; the androcentric views of society helped maintain the patriarchy, because androcentrism focuses on the males of society and their “superiority”. Dorothy Smith, a Canadian sociologist of the time, focused strongly on the fact that most teachings in schools and homes were greatly based around the achievements of men, creating a society where it is thought that only men can participate in ground breaking …show more content…
The feminists of the third-wave recognize that there is multiplicity within the voices of feminists (Lecture 5, 2018). Bell Hooks, author of many influential feminist books, actively spoke out against racism, bringing the issue up within the feminist community. As feminism evolved to the third-wave, rather than solely working towards the singular goal of gender equality, the cause began to take on goals of racial equality, and sexual equality (Lecture 12,
Show More

Related Documents: Second Wave Of Feminism

Essay On Second Wave Feminism

The second wave of feminism in America began in the 1960s, and manifested itself into a global phenomenon. That movement looked different depending on which part of the world you were in, and America’s take on second wave feminism was no different.1 As more women began to enter the workforce in the 1960s, the foundation for a new movement in feminism began to establish itself.2 By 1963, second wave feminists had their “bible” of sorts in The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, and they had their…

Words 1303 - Pages 6

The Limitations Of Third Wave Feminism

Third wave feminism emerged in the early 1920’s and is mistakenly categorized as purely postfeminist thought; however, it advocates as a movement for change that includes elements of second wave critique of beauty culture, sexual abuse, and power structures. It is an approach that develops multiple intersecting oppressions and accompanies complex identities. We do not live singled-issued lives and we must recognize the multiplicity of individual social identity. Cultural feminist scholars Audrey…

Words 494 - Pages 2

Dynamics: Feminism and Women Essay

New waves; New Tides Feminism, in the simplest form, is the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes, and organized activity on behalf of women's rights and common interests. There are many “feminists” with many different theories. As a result, feminism is broken up into three waves; first-wave spans from the nineteenth century to the early twentieth century, second-wave which spans from the early 1960's through the late 1980's, and the third-wave started…

Words 1461 - Pages 6

2ND WAVE FEMINISM Essay

Erika Levano October 3, 2013 Dr. Ingrid Bartsch WGST-3102-001 Second Wave Feminism Feminism refers to the social economic and political equality of the sexes. It had been established in the world and receives representation by various institutions dedicated to preserve women’s rights and interests. During the emergence of the western history, men were reserved for the public life while women were left to carry out domestic chores. They had no right to ownership of the property, getting education…

Words 1132 - Pages 5

The Third Wave Of Feminism

Feminism is the expectation of equality between men and women. In the mid 1800’s women began to fit for the right to vote, this is known as the first wave of feminism. Fighting towards this cause, a climax had existed between 1870 and 1928. Not only were women just fighting for the right to vote but they were fighting for educational and social reforms. Women from all different cultures, races and social classes were fighting for equality. Finally, in 1920 the Nineteenth Amendment to the constitution…

Words 277 - Pages 2

The Three Waves Of The Feminist Movement

Professor Spurgas WMST 200: Issues in Feminism Midterm March 2 2017 Feminism is the acceptance of people as equals regardless of gender. Certain branches of feminism go past this and are even more accepting of people and their differences. For example, Intersectional Feminism accepts people regardless of gender, sexuality, race, and disabilities. This is a wonderful ideology that all people should stand up for and believe in. There is nothing valid that can be used to disagree with it. Throughout…

Words 1147 - Pages 5

Analysis Of Gloria Steinem From The Same Sex Based Myth

teacher aspire to become doctors in their future. The teacher encourages one student to work towards becoming a doctor while discouraging the second student and advising the second student to try nursing (Steinem). What is the difference between these two students that causes the teacher’s change in encouragement? The first student was a boy and the second was a girl. This unequal treatment is what moved many women to campaign for more equitable rights in a male-dominated society. This continuous…

Words 507 - Pages 3

Essay on Wave Feminism

Feminism is a series of movements dedicated to gaining equal political, economic, and social rights for women and men. Feminism strives for change in all of the aforementioned aspects to ensure that women not only have these rights, but have access to information to enable women to make well-informed choices concerning their rights. The history of the Feminist movement in Western Culture is divided into three basic waves: First Wave, Second Wave, and Third Wave. Feminist theory is an examination…

Words 637 - Pages 3

The Three Waves of Feminism Essay

The Three Big Waves of Feminism First-Wave Feminism: Women’s Right to Vote In 1776, the then First Lady of the United States was the first to raise her about women’s rights, telling her husband to “remember the ladies” in his drafting of new laws, yet it took more than 100 years for men like John Adams to actually do so. With the help of half a dozen determined, and in this case white upper-middle-class, women the first-wave feminism, which spans from the 19th century to the early 20th century…

Words 1219 - Pages 5

Explain The Three Waves Of Feminism

The Three Waves of Feminism According to Webster Dictionary, feminism is defined as, “the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.” Feminism has been around since the 1700’s, but only took a foothold in the 19th century concentrating on women’s suffrage. There has been evidence of feminism as far back as 570 BCE, but nothing concrete. Women’s suffrage was the first real push for feminists, and what is known as the first-wave of feminism. There are three waves of feminism…

Words 829 - Pages 4