3rd Wave of Feminism

 What Is the Third Wave of Feminism?
The idea of post-feminism manifested during the third-wave of

feminism, in which the second wave was assessed for purporting a
universal feminism that created one truth for all women, with one
answer for all issues and directing the movement’s concerns to target
one dominant group – the white and Western feminists. According to
the book by Leslie Heywood and Jennifer Drake, Third Wave Agenda,
post-feminism sought to critique previous feminisms in regards to what
work had yet to be done. Despite the difference in the experiences of
women, the call for sisterhood was present as ever, embracing the
differences of women from around the world.
 Third-wave feminism was a time of activism (taking action for change)

to get more rights and equality for women. It came after the first and
second waves of feminism. It lasted roughly from the early 1990s to
the 2010s, when social media helped start what’s called fourth-wave
feminism.
 Third-wave feminism (roughly the 1990s-2010s) built on earlier
feminist movements but emphasized the diverse experiences of
women, recognizing that factors like race, class, and sexuality
significantly shape a woman’s life. This focus on intersectionality—how
different forms of oppression overlap—was key. The movement
celebrated a wider range of expressions of femininity, rejecting
traditional stereotypes.
 The rise of the internet was crucial; online communities fostered
connection and activism. The Riot Grrrl movement, with its punk rock
ethos and zines, was a powerful example of third-wave expression.
However, the movement Wasn't without internal debate; some
criticized its lack of a unified agenda or its attention to individual
experiences over collective action.
 Important figures like Rebecca Walker, bell hooks, and Judith Butler
significantly shaped third-wave thought. The “Me Too” movement,
while sometimes considered fourth-wave, directly builds upon third-
wave concerns about sexual harassment and assault. The shift to
fourth-wave feminism is gradual, with a continued focus on
intersectionality but an increased reliance on online activism and social
media. In short, third-wave feminism was a complex and multifaceted
movement that continues to influence feminist thought today.
 A Brief History of Third-Wave Feminism
 Feminists of the third wave not only critiqued previous
feminisms, they also questioned the ideas that were present
during the previous women’s movement. Womanhood as an
identity was one major movement that was scrutinized. This
movement that questioned, renamed, and reclaimed the concept
of womanhood was called postmodern feminism. Gender,
beauty, sexuality, and the concepts of feminine and masculine
were also questioned. The notion that gender is an absolute
marker of identity was suddenly challenged. The theme of
“gender as a social construct” was prevalent during this time due
to the pivotal text Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion
of Identity by Judith Butler published in 1990. The challenge for
feminists in this period was to be conscious of how one could
express his or her gender identity in a manner that truly
represented him or her. Identity politics was a driving force for
discussion.
 Third-wave feminism built on the work of the first two waves:
1. First Wave: Mostly focused on women’s right to vote (around the late
1700s to early 1900s in the US).
2. Second Wave: (1960s-1980s) Focused on sexism (discrimination
against women) in many areas of life—homes, schools, media, etc.,
and things like access to birth control.
 Third Wave’s Start: The Anita Hill hearings in 1991 (where she accused
Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment) are often seen as the start of
the third wave. Even though Thomas became a Supreme Court Justice,
the hearings raised awareness and fueled activism.
 “Becoming the Third Wave”: Rebecca Walker’s 1992 article is credited
with giving the movement its name.
 Riot : A punk rock movement of young feminists also contributed,
focusing on female sexuality and empowerment.
 Intersectionality: This idea (coined earlier by Kimberlé Crenshaw)
became important—recognizing how things like race and class affect
women differently.
 5 Key Issues of Third-Wave Feminism

1. Intersectionality: Understanding that different types of oppression (like
racism and sexism) affect women differently, especially women of color.
2. Reproductive Rights: Access to safe abortions, birth control, and other

reproductive healthcare.
3. Individual Empowerment: Celebrating the many different ways women

express themselves and their femininity.
4. Violence Against Women: Addressing issues like rape, domestic violence,

and sexual harassment.
5. Sexual Liberation: Using sexuality as a way for women to feel empowered.
The transformation of notions of the self was also supplemented by the

transformation of structures and processes that could be deemed oppressive
to women. There were moves to reclaim other social structure that seemed
oppressive, such as the media that sexualized women, or language that was
used to oppress women. The words “girl”, “bitch”, and other condescending
terms used against women were reclaimed by the feminists of this
movement. Different ideas were challenged. Instead of a head-on attack
against these structures, a societal transformation that aimed to reconstruct
the idea of womanhood on a woman’s own light took place.
A notable woman during the third wave of feminism is Judith Butler.

She is an American philosopher and academic whose book Gender Trouble:
Feminism and the Subversion of Identity, brought to light the fluid nature of
gender. Here, she challenges notions of the rigidity and pre-determined
nature of gender. She assumed that gender is not an essence that one’s
characteristics and behavior drew its origin from. Instead, the repetition of
certain characteristics created the idea of gendered behavior. Humans are
socialized to repeat these gendered characteristics.
One of the many key words that explain Judith Butler’s philosophy is
performance. Gender is performed, and one’s identity is shaped through the
performance of traits that are gendered. The performance of gender further
proved that it was a social construct that should not limit a person’s identity.

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 What Is the Third Wave of Feminism?

The idea of post-feminism manifested during the third-wave of

 Third-wave feminism was a time of activism (taking action for change)

 Third-wave feminism built on the work of the first two waves:

 5 Key Issues of Third-Wave Feminism

2. Reproductive Rights: Access to safe abortions, birth control, and other

3. Individual Empowerment: Celebrating the many different ways women

4. Violence Against Women: Addressing issues like rape, domestic violence,

5. Sexual Liberation: Using sexuality as a way for women to feel empowered.

The transformation of notions of the self was also supplemented by the

A notable woman during the third wave of feminism is Judith Butler.

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