The past century has been marked by three distinct waves of the women's rights movement. Although women have always fought for equality, each era has been marked by different social, political, and economic issues. The following sub-sections offer a brief description of each "wave" of the movement.
The simple version of the first wave as shown in the picture below is that it was a movement for women's suffrage.
Ramnova, A. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.citelighter.com/political-science/womens-studies/knowledgecards/1st-wave-feminism
Ramnova, A. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.citelighter.com/political-science/womens-studies/knowledgecards/1st-wave-feminism
The First Wave: The Women who Started it All
In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott presented the “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions” at the Seneca Falls Convention, kicking off the start of the first wave of the women’s rights movement. This first wave of feminism focused on the political equality of men and women in the form of the right to vote. Stanton and Mott stated, “Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without representation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed her on all sides” (1848). During the time of the Civil War, women played a significant role in advocating for the abolition of slavery. However, these women were unable to speak at abolition meetings and at Sons of Temperance meetings solely due to the fact that they were women. These women realized that in order to be politically active, they first needed the most basic form of political activism - the right to vote. This Declaration began the women’s movement with the basic ideas that as human beings, women have natural and inalienable rights that must be protected by the government (Stanton, 1848). They explain that even the most ignorant of white men have this right, and without it they are treated as less than human.
Marked by the fight for the right to vote, the first wave of feminism focused on economic and social issues within the realm of politics. Women such as Margaret Fuller, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton began publishing writings discussing issues ranging from divorce, prostitution, the role of the Church in the subjugation of women, property rights, and even birth control. However, the first wave served as an initial platform for women’s issues. Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s satire, “Herland” introduced the idea of a matriarchal society rather than a patriarchy. The patriarchy refers to a system in which a man stands as the head or overall power of that system with all others beneath him in. As early feminists looked to gain power within the existing patriarchal system, shifts in later waves show a movement toward breaking down the existing system to have true freedom. Writings such as “Herland” pushed women and men to examine the patriarchal system in government and within the home and it’s effects on women’s rights. These ideas were and still are considered “radical” as they question the entire system we live in even today. However, at the time of the first wave, writers such as Gilman knew that in order to have any impact on social and economic issues, they would first need the essential right to participate and play a role in a democratic government in the form of a vote (Gilman, 1975).
In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott presented the “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions” at the Seneca Falls Convention, kicking off the start of the first wave of the women’s rights movement. This first wave of feminism focused on the political equality of men and women in the form of the right to vote. Stanton and Mott stated, “Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without representation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed her on all sides” (1848). During the time of the Civil War, women played a significant role in advocating for the abolition of slavery. However, these women were unable to speak at abolition meetings and at Sons of Temperance meetings solely due to the fact that they were women. These women realized that in order to be politically active, they first needed the most basic form of political activism - the right to vote. This Declaration began the women’s movement with the basic ideas that as human beings, women have natural and inalienable rights that must be protected by the government (Stanton, 1848). They explain that even the most ignorant of white men have this right, and without it they are treated as less than human.
Marked by the fight for the right to vote, the first wave of feminism focused on economic and social issues within the realm of politics. Women such as Margaret Fuller, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton began publishing writings discussing issues ranging from divorce, prostitution, the role of the Church in the subjugation of women, property rights, and even birth control. However, the first wave served as an initial platform for women’s issues. Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s satire, “Herland” introduced the idea of a matriarchal society rather than a patriarchy. The patriarchy refers to a system in which a man stands as the head or overall power of that system with all others beneath him in. As early feminists looked to gain power within the existing patriarchal system, shifts in later waves show a movement toward breaking down the existing system to have true freedom. Writings such as “Herland” pushed women and men to examine the patriarchal system in government and within the home and it’s effects on women’s rights. These ideas were and still are considered “radical” as they question the entire system we live in even today. However, at the time of the first wave, writers such as Gilman knew that in order to have any impact on social and economic issues, they would first need the essential right to participate and play a role in a democratic government in the form of a vote (Gilman, 1975).
(2013, March 08). [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://themodernbelle.com/its-international-womens-day/
As you can see in the photo below, the second wave was marked by social and economic issues such as the right to a safe abortion and the right to work without being discriminated against based on gender.
As you can see in the photo below, the second wave was marked by social and economic issues such as the right to a safe abortion and the right to work without being discriminated against based on gender.
The Second Wave: The Personal Fights Becomes Political
After receiving the right to vote in 1920, the second wave of the women’s movement, focused primarily on social freedoms, was launched Betty Friedan’s book, The Feminine Mystique in the 1960s. Friedan wrote this book to reveal the truth about this unspoken problem that all middle aged, married, white women were facing, but no one was discussing. Friedan broke the silence by revealing the truth that women were unsatisfied with their lives as mothers, housewives, and consumers. This second wave was marked by the idea that the “personal is political” as women’s private issues became public uniting women to work together for equality (Friedan, 1963). Women began seeing their desire for personal freedoms as a public and civil rights issue that needed to be dealt with outside of the home.
Susan Brownmiller’s writing in 1975, “Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape” brought awareness to the social myths surrounding rape. This book provided an intellectual analysis of rape to back the anti-rape crusade that existed during the second wave of the women’s movement. During this wave, social issues were at the forefront with economic freedoms not far behind (Brownmiller, 1975). After returning to the home at the end of World War II, women wanted more than to be in the home. This idea led to the divergence of factions within the women’s movement as some traditionalists pushed for women to stay in the home to take care of children, while others fought for women to have the opportunity to hold any job that a man was capable of having. The pamphlet, “No More Miss America” shows this emergence as the authors protested the Mindless Boob Girlie ideal created by the pageant. They protested this ideal on the grounds that these women compete to be a false idea of what beauty is based solely on appearance rather than thought or actions. This began the idea that wrongful competitiveness among women gives men only more power as women compete for a beauty title. The authors of the pamphlet aimed to destroy the beauty myth and unite women to work together for rights rather than fight for male approval. At the forefront of the second wave, these issues of rape and the beauty myth were brought to light and carried over into the third wave as women’s specific ideologies began to differ.
After receiving the right to vote in 1920, the second wave of the women’s movement, focused primarily on social freedoms, was launched Betty Friedan’s book, The Feminine Mystique in the 1960s. Friedan wrote this book to reveal the truth about this unspoken problem that all middle aged, married, white women were facing, but no one was discussing. Friedan broke the silence by revealing the truth that women were unsatisfied with their lives as mothers, housewives, and consumers. This second wave was marked by the idea that the “personal is political” as women’s private issues became public uniting women to work together for equality (Friedan, 1963). Women began seeing their desire for personal freedoms as a public and civil rights issue that needed to be dealt with outside of the home.
Susan Brownmiller’s writing in 1975, “Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape” brought awareness to the social myths surrounding rape. This book provided an intellectual analysis of rape to back the anti-rape crusade that existed during the second wave of the women’s movement. During this wave, social issues were at the forefront with economic freedoms not far behind (Brownmiller, 1975). After returning to the home at the end of World War II, women wanted more than to be in the home. This idea led to the divergence of factions within the women’s movement as some traditionalists pushed for women to stay in the home to take care of children, while others fought for women to have the opportunity to hold any job that a man was capable of having. The pamphlet, “No More Miss America” shows this emergence as the authors protested the Mindless Boob Girlie ideal created by the pageant. They protested this ideal on the grounds that these women compete to be a false idea of what beauty is based solely on appearance rather than thought or actions. This began the idea that wrongful competitiveness among women gives men only more power as women compete for a beauty title. The authors of the pamphlet aimed to destroy the beauty myth and unite women to work together for rights rather than fight for male approval. At the forefront of the second wave, these issues of rape and the beauty myth were brought to light and carried over into the third wave as women’s specific ideologies began to differ.
Look at the picture below.. Are either a depiction of women's freedom? Maybe we all need to look for a medium rather than think of extreme versions sexuality as freedom or equality for women.
(2012, December 11). Bikini vs. Niqab [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://meganworthington.com/2012/12/11/on-gender-and-jadedness/
(2012, December 11). Bikini vs. Niqab [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://meganworthington.com/2012/12/11/on-gender-and-jadedness/
The Third Wave: Disengagement and Confusion
Differences in opinion carried over into the third wave of the women’s movement as seen in the writing, “Backlash” by Susan Faludi. In this 1991 article, Faludi identifies the successes in the second wave in women’s reproductive rights and fairness in employment. She asserts that, “women never really surrendered.” Faludi explains that many men resented the changes that occurred during the second wave, which caused a backlash against feminists and the women’s movement as a whole. Feminism became a negative term over the 1980s and 1990s as it has been used to refer to female activists who have been misconstrued as man-haters. Many women even today think that feminists think all women should work outside the home when in reality, feminists simply want all women to have the option to work wherever they choose with equal rights. The beauty myth has also been constantly debated and in the early 90s feminists were seen as women who completely rejected any attempt at making herself more beautiful whether it be with make-up or revealing clothing. This has led to differing views for women about how women should dress and what sexual freedom really means (Siegel, 2007).
While the first and second waves of the women’s movement in America were marked by clear goals and successes, the third wave includes a mix of ideologies and factions in the movement. This wave includes the fight for all types of freedoms. However, women have gone about voicing their opinion and showing their freedoms in many different ways. The success of the women’s movement relies upon the joint commitment of women to work together for equal rights. However, the different views of the third movement have led to the disunion of the movement and disengagement of many women. Many separate coalitions exist around the goal of gender equality. Rushin Bridge wrote a poem showing the idea that in coalitions although women may be working for the same goal; their varied backgrounds and experiences cannot be ignored. Within coalitions it is important to find commonality within the goal everyone shares but we still must recognize the different identities of each person. In order for feminism to continue to make strides for equality, each woman must feel that her individual perspective and background are important to the cause. This allows people to grow in their understanding of feminism on a global level rather than just locally (Woodhead, 2007).
Differences in opinion carried over into the third wave of the women’s movement as seen in the writing, “Backlash” by Susan Faludi. In this 1991 article, Faludi identifies the successes in the second wave in women’s reproductive rights and fairness in employment. She asserts that, “women never really surrendered.” Faludi explains that many men resented the changes that occurred during the second wave, which caused a backlash against feminists and the women’s movement as a whole. Feminism became a negative term over the 1980s and 1990s as it has been used to refer to female activists who have been misconstrued as man-haters. Many women even today think that feminists think all women should work outside the home when in reality, feminists simply want all women to have the option to work wherever they choose with equal rights. The beauty myth has also been constantly debated and in the early 90s feminists were seen as women who completely rejected any attempt at making herself more beautiful whether it be with make-up or revealing clothing. This has led to differing views for women about how women should dress and what sexual freedom really means (Siegel, 2007).
While the first and second waves of the women’s movement in America were marked by clear goals and successes, the third wave includes a mix of ideologies and factions in the movement. This wave includes the fight for all types of freedoms. However, women have gone about voicing their opinion and showing their freedoms in many different ways. The success of the women’s movement relies upon the joint commitment of women to work together for equal rights. However, the different views of the third movement have led to the disunion of the movement and disengagement of many women. Many separate coalitions exist around the goal of gender equality. Rushin Bridge wrote a poem showing the idea that in coalitions although women may be working for the same goal; their varied backgrounds and experiences cannot be ignored. Within coalitions it is important to find commonality within the goal everyone shares but we still must recognize the different identities of each person. In order for feminism to continue to make strides for equality, each woman must feel that her individual perspective and background are important to the cause. This allows people to grow in their understanding of feminism on a global level rather than just locally (Woodhead, 2007).