Introduction to feminism: blog tasks

 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?

After experiencing sexism herself, and realising its a problem for everyone, she created the website so people can share their experiences.

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

It proves that feminism is still needed as it shows the various negative encounters women go through.

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

It uses the internet so that people around the world can take part.

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 feminism will still be needed in the future as changing a societal view that women should take a “compliment” would take years and things such as the Everyday Sexism Project would take a long time for everyone to notice and realise due to societies ignorant and fixed mindset.

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 feminism that aims to tackle social equality issues on modern technology using things such as hashtags and campaigns. Some people may find this a problem as in real life there is legislations for equality for all genders making it seem as if networked feminism isn’t needed.

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 and the suffragette movement for the right to vote

Second wave: 1960s-1990s Reproductive rights and equal pay

Third wave: 1990- present Reclaiming femininity 

Fourth wave: 2010- ongoing Use of social media for activism (networked feminism)

I agree that we are on the fourth wave as networking social media is a new thing and is used a lot on the internet.

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 - A website for female and male victims of harassment all around the world to talk about their experience to spread more awareness and prove that feminism is needed

FCKH8 - Is a digital campaign which showcases young girls “F-bombing” to highlight societies ignorance to offences against women.

This Girl Can - Is a fitness campaign which doesn’t shame women for how they look like by sharing photos of women without sexual exploitation or bullying (no body shaming)

HeForShe - This campaign focuses on brining both males and females together which subverts the stereotypes of feminism that feminists hate men. However, many criticise this by saying it makes feminism too reliant on men

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 believe that networking feminism shows how we have entered a new wave of feminism as using social media (a newer form of technology) presents progress and a new way of activism which we have not seen in the past - in relevance to feminism.