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?

Laura Bates started the Everyday Sexism project because she was harassed a lot of times in one week and she thought that it wasn't normal for men to harass women. 

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 link to the concept of post-feminism as the society has changed to men being more respectful. However, feminism is still needed in western societies as it shows that women are still getting negative comments.

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

New technology is essential to the success of Everyday Sexism project as it allows other people to understand what women are going through and gives other women to speak up for themselves.

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 feel like in the future feminism would still be required as it took time for women to be noticed and up until now some women are still experiencing negative actions from men. Also, the idea that some women still fear to stand up for themselves and just stay superior to others even if they are wrong.

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 aims to tackle social equality issues, using websites to spread and introduce feminism. It as a problem as the society treats women as normal and equal to others, and the idea that society is treating women fairly but in some ways other people are still able to discriminate the gender of female.

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
Fourth wave? 2010 – ongoing, use of new technology and digital media for activism.

I agree that we are in a fourth wave of feminism as clearly shown from the Everday Sexism of Bates, showing how she was able to create a community like for all females and males who have gone through harassments by using the social media. 

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 - Bates created a website for all the individuals who have been through discrimination of their gender to spread the problems.

FCKH8 - A campaign that features young girls "F-bombing" to highlight society's imbalance when it comes to offences.

This Girl Can - A fitness campaign for women without shaming them and supports other women by sharing picture and quotes without exploitation or body shaming. 

HeForShe - A campaign that is both for women and men's equality without hating men that feminists usually do. However, it was criticised as it shows that feminism is relying on males and reinforcing the typical stereotypes, where women need men to get things done.

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 that the we are in a fourth wave feminism as it shows how more people are getting into social media and using it for campaigns and business, whether that is to spread awareness or gain more audiences. I feel like the Everyday Sexism is not an extension of the third wave of feminism as the campaign uses the new/digital media to allow other people to share their experiences and help each other out by showing that gender discrimination is not normal and should not be treated as normal.