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?

She had experience of sexual harassment/assault multiple times in one week and realised the universal problem of sexism that women face everyday 


2) How does the Everyday Sexism project link to the concept of post-feminism? Is feminism still required in western societies?
Yes, the belief that society has changed their behaviour and views towards women and that sexism is extinct is an illusions and the only thing that has changed is women's' resilience. It more normalised than ever and feminism is still needed in western countries. The everyday sexism project contradicts people's beliefs that we like in a post-feminism state

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

It allowed women from all around the world share their experiences dealing with sexism, sexual harassment and assault.

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 believe that the everyday project will always be required as sexism is woven into society through upbringing and is an active and subconscious practise. I believe that women will continue to face discrimination

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 activism through social media and the internet to encourage the movement and fight social equality issues. It re defines the term 'feminist' as originally being a feminist meant campaigning liken the suffragettes and chaining themselves in rebellion however the 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’? 
The first wave 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. Since the late 1990s, we are believed to have entered the ‘third wave’ (often identified as post-feminism).


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 is a website designed by Laura bates for both men and women to express their feelings and experiences too facing sexism.

HeForShe lead by Emma Watson focuses on male support for gender equality, highlighting

the fact that feminism is not about promoting matriarchy, but solidarity.

FCKH8 campaign is a 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 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 disagree with the view that we have entered a fourth wave of feminism. I believe that feminism with digital media is just an extension of the third wave of feminism from the 1900s as each stage of feminism has resulted in a revolutionary change that effects women everywhere. The first wave resulted in the suffragette movement and the second wave began growth of equal rights and leading to the Equal Pay Act of 1970. I don't believe that we have entered a fourth wave with digital/new media as nothing amounted to new legislation or change in beliefs worldwide has happened