The Limitations Of Third Wave Feminism

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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 Lorde and bell hooks identify the intersectionality of oppression and critique white privilege. Therefore, they belong to third wave feminism, which is defined by the “challenges that women-of-color feminist posed to white second wave feminism” (Drake and Hollywood, 2007, p. 1). The third wave focus on individual empowerment and the simultaneous interplay of race, gender, class, disability, sexuality, and age. Recognition of such simultaneous …show more content…
The second wave of feminism emerged during the 1960s with a focus on reproductive rights, such as the birth control pill. Women believed they should be in control of their fertility and earn equal pay for equal work alongside men. However, the second wave negates the marginalization of black males in this instance assuming that all men inherit privileged employment status and equity. Therefore, equity, not equality is the main goal of the third wave feminist movement and centres on liberal feminism and victim feminism systematically. In particular, white feminists focused on alienation in the role of white-middle class suburban housewife who categorized as patriarchy as ‘the problem with no name.’ Furthermore, the second wave focused on the woman as a victim against the powerful, violent, and masculine man and husband whereas the third wave focus on the individual personal empowerment of