Introduction to feminism: blog tasks

 Everyday Sexism

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

She realised that because of the amount of times that she had been sexually harassed in the span of a week this is a common occurrence. Not just for her but other women in her life too, so she set up this campaign to give women everywhere a forum to raise awareness and to fight this problem.

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

It proves that in the recent years that feminism is still needed, and that we are not in a post-feminist state because women still face discrimination, harassment and rape which means feminism still has not achieved its goal. 

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

It was the use of an internet which was able to further awareness, even allowing people internationally to find this message and spread it allowing not only national but global success. 

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?

No I think that that time will only come when these men finally realise they are in the wrong, and take the initiative to stop doing this to women. Just like women come together to fight sexism, men should come together to better themselves and others. Once this happens feminists won't have a cause to fight for anymore and then real post-feminism will come into place. 

Media Magazine: The fourth wave?

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

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 like social media. The difference in today’s society is that in the fast-paced world of technological development, feminism can be left behind. New technology is invented

every day, digital outlets change and update regularly, and social media platforms make messaging instant.

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

First wave: early 20th century, suffragette movement (right to vote).
Second wave: 1960s – 1990s, reproductive rights (pill), abortion, equal pay.
Third wave: 1990s – present, empowerment, reclaiming of femininity (high heels, sexuality etc. See Angela McRobbie's work on women's magazines).
Fourth wave? 2010 – ongoing, use of new technology and digital media (e.g. Twitter) for activism.

Yes, I think that feminism is still existing just presented in a different way. It definitely as recognisable as the suffragette movement because women have any more rights since then but there still needs to be a social and cultural change in attitudes towards women. 

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’.

FCKH8: The movement focuses on the modern representation of girls and the huge social inequalities they

face, whilst featuring young girls ‘F-Bombing’ to highlight society’s imbalance when it comes to offences.

This Girl Can: Furthermore, the term doesn’t represent feminism as only for females: ‘This is not solely a

‘make the men wrong’ approach,’ says Lee Chalmers at Feminist Times. This inclusive idea of feminism is

nowhere better summarised than by the He For She campaign led by Emma Watson.

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 think the feminism today is its own wave, because the context of the 1990s and the 20s0s is not the same. These waves looked at different things and even utilised different methods to push their message. One looking at empowerment, femininity using the medium of magazines and something like the ES campaign looks at harassment, discrimination of women using the medium of the internet and new media to push their cause.