Introduction to feminism
Case study: Everyday Sexism
1) Why did Laura Bates start the Everyday Sexism project?
Laura Bates set this project up because she realised women thought it was 'normal' for men to treat them badly and that women were assaulted so often that they got used to it and chose not to speak up about it. Three incidents occurred with Laura Bates within the same week which got her thinking about sexism and equality.
2) How does the Everyday Sexism project link to the concept of post-feminism? Is feminism still required in western societies?
The project links to the concept of post-feminism because it encourages people to shre their stories. Everyday Sexism wants equality and a society where gender does not define where people stand. Feminism is still required because over 50,000 people shared their stories with Everday Sexism about how they were treated different to men, people with higher authority, people with different races etc. Everday Sexism emphasises that we still need feminism to raise awareness of the inequality in society.
3) Why was new technology essential to the success of the Everyday Sexism project?
Women were able to share their stories with everyone. There was platform where they could openly tell their story and seek advice from others who have experienced similar things. This made people feel more comfortable to finally discuss their stories and get some help.
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?
I think that projects like this will always be required because they encourage people to share their stories and experiences which helps others feel as thought they are not alone and it is okay for them to share their stories. It encourages people to speak up more about it and take action against those who did wrong so they know not to do it to other people.
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 known as the fourth wave of feminism. It aims to tackle social equality issues found both on, and using, modern technology. The problem is that Feminism isn't fully understood by people, some people get confused and misunderstand the idea of feminism.
2) What are the four waves of feminism? Do you agree that we are in a fourth wave ‘networked feminism’?
First wave: began in late 19th to early 20th centuries, with main focus on suffrage (womens right to vote)
Second wave: began in 1960s, campaigning for the growth of equal rights and leading to the Equal pay Act of 1970
Third wave: believed to have entered since 1990s, identified as post-feminism. Women receiving more employment opportunities
Fourth wave: using social media and technology to campaign
3) Focus on the examples in the article. Write a 100-word summary of EACH of the following: Everyday Sexism, HeForShe, FCKH8 campaign, This Girl Can.
Everyday Sexism
Laura Bates started this project in 2012 with a website where people could share their stories about sexism an inequality etc. She set it up after finding feminism hard to talk about. It has become popular due to it's user-generated content and it's well used hashtags on Twitter. Bates provided a platform where people could share their experiences and get help from others.
HeForShe
This campaign was led by Emma Watson and focuses on male support for gender equality. The campaign highlights the fact that feminism is not about promoting matriarchy but solidarity. Emma Watson used social media such as Twitter for a Q&A session for promotion and represented both feminism and He for She as dynamic and integrated. However, many people have criticised the campaign because it reinforces the stereotype that women are reliant on men.
FCKH8
This is one of the most popular digital campaign and focuses on the modern representation of girls and the inequalities they face. FCKH8 is actually a 'for-profit' company and their video that went viral was actually trying to sell their t-shirts. This exploitation of feminism as an advertising tool created a huge backlash. Despite the backlash, they still still represented women using their voices and speaking out about these matters.
This Girl Can
This has been described as the first fitness campaign for women who do not body shame other women or exploit their sexuality. This project shares pictures and videos that does not focus on the exploitation of women's sexuality or body shaming them. This campaign has been heavily criticised-by feminist activists.
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?
I agree with the concept of a 'fourth wave' of feminism because there has been a rise in using social media and technology that allows people to raise awareness about feminism and how sexism an gender inequality still exists.
1) Why did Laura Bates start the Everyday Sexism project?
Laura Bates set this project up because she realised women thought it was 'normal' for men to treat them badly and that women were assaulted so often that they got used to it and chose not to speak up about it. Three incidents occurred with Laura Bates within the same week which got her thinking about sexism and equality.
2) How does the Everyday Sexism project link to the concept of post-feminism? Is feminism still required in western societies?
The project links to the concept of post-feminism because it encourages people to shre their stories. Everyday Sexism wants equality and a society where gender does not define where people stand. Feminism is still required because over 50,000 people shared their stories with Everday Sexism about how they were treated different to men, people with higher authority, people with different races etc. Everday Sexism emphasises that we still need feminism to raise awareness of the inequality in society.
3) Why was new technology essential to the success of the Everyday Sexism project?
Women were able to share their stories with everyone. There was platform where they could openly tell their story and seek advice from others who have experienced similar things. This made people feel more comfortable to finally discuss their stories and get some help.
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?
I think that projects like this will always be required because they encourage people to share their stories and experiences which helps others feel as thought they are not alone and it is okay for them to share their stories. It encourages people to speak up more about it and take action against those who did wrong so they know not to do it to other people.
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 known as the fourth wave of feminism. It aims to tackle social equality issues found both on, and using, modern technology. The problem is that Feminism isn't fully understood by people, some people get confused and misunderstand the idea of feminism.
2) What are the four waves of feminism? Do you agree that we are in a fourth wave ‘networked feminism’?
First wave: began in late 19th to early 20th centuries, with main focus on suffrage (womens right to vote)
Second wave: began in 1960s, campaigning for the growth of equal rights and leading to the Equal pay Act of 1970
Third wave: believed to have entered since 1990s, identified as post-feminism. Women receiving more employment opportunities
Fourth wave: using social media and technology to campaign
3) Focus on the examples in the article. Write a 100-word summary of EACH of the following: Everyday Sexism, HeForShe, FCKH8 campaign, This Girl Can.
Everyday Sexism
Laura Bates started this project in 2012 with a website where people could share their stories about sexism an inequality etc. She set it up after finding feminism hard to talk about. It has become popular due to it's user-generated content and it's well used hashtags on Twitter. Bates provided a platform where people could share their experiences and get help from others.
HeForShe
This campaign was led by Emma Watson and focuses on male support for gender equality. The campaign highlights the fact that feminism is not about promoting matriarchy but solidarity. Emma Watson used social media such as Twitter for a Q&A session for promotion and represented both feminism and He for She as dynamic and integrated. However, many people have criticised the campaign because it reinforces the stereotype that women are reliant on men.
FCKH8
This is one of the most popular digital campaign and focuses on the modern representation of girls and the inequalities they face. FCKH8 is actually a 'for-profit' company and their video that went viral was actually trying to sell their t-shirts. This exploitation of feminism as an advertising tool created a huge backlash. Despite the backlash, they still still represented women using their voices and speaking out about these matters.
This Girl Can
This has been described as the first fitness campaign for women who do not body shame other women or exploit their sexuality. This project shares pictures and videos that does not focus on the exploitation of women's sexuality or body shaming them. This campaign has been heavily criticised-by feminist activists.
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?
I agree with the concept of a 'fourth wave' of feminism because there has been a rise in using social media and technology that allows people to raise awareness about feminism and how sexism an gender inequality still exists.
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