Introduction to Feminism

 Everyday Sexism

Watch the Everyday Sexism TED talk from Laura Bates (linked above) and answer the following questions:

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

The reason Laura Bates started the Everyday Sexism project is because she has been sexually harassed multiple times and when she spoke up about it, everyone saw this as normal and wondered why she was making a big deal out of it. Its then after when people realise that behaviour is really inappropriate. 

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

The Everyday Sexism project links very well to the concept of post-feminism as it helps support women and helps them speak up about their experiences. I think feminism is still required in the western societies as not everything is balanced between men and women e.g. majority of builders are men and there are not many female builders around. 

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

 Apps such as twitter allow the Everyday Sexism project to share stories and allow people to talk to people the Everyday Sexism project. This also creates awareness for everyone.

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 there will always be sexism, in other countries also. Other countries is where more traditional things like women in the kitchen are normalised. 

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 when Feminism is divided into waves. The waves depend on when Feminism has taken action into taking feminism more seriously. 

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

 The ‘first wave of feminism’ began in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, with a main focus on suffrage.The ‘second wave’ began in the 1960s, campaigning for the growth of equal rights and leading to the Equal Pay Act of 1970, amongst other equality laws. Since the late 1990s, we are believed to have entered the ‘third wave’ (often identified as post-feminism). 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.

Yes i agree with the forth wave as women till this day are still treated different on the internet compared to Men. 

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.

The Everyday Sexism campaign was a project that started by 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’. 

The he for she campaign focuses on male support for gender equality, highlighting he fact that feminism is not about promoting matriarchy, but solidarity.

The movement FCKH8 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 campaign, which has been described as the first fitness campaign for women which doesn’t shame or exclude them, by sharing photos, videos and quotes of women without the usual sexual exploitation of a women’s fitness advert and without body shaming.

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 Feminism is taken more serious in the digital age. More awareness is being spread compared to the past. I think its the fourth wave because these campaigns are being more popular now and a lot more people are taking interest into now compared to before.