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 (high heels, sexuality etc. See Angela McRobbie's work on women's magazines).
Fourth wave?
Many commentators argue that the internet itself has enabled a shift from ‘third-wave’ to ‘fourth-wave’ feminism. What is certain is that the internet has created a ‘call-out’ culture, in which sexism or misogyny can be ‘called out’ and challenged.
This culture is indicative of the continuing influence of the third wave, with its focus on challenging sexism and misogyny in advertising, film, television and the media.
Key quote: “power users of social media”
The internet has facilitated the creation of a global community of feminists who use the internet both for discussion and activism.
According to #FemFuture: Online Feminism, a report recently published by Columbia University’s Barnard Center for Research on Women, females aged between 18 and 29 are the ‘power users of social networking’.
Critics of online feminism
Critics of online feminist movements suggest that petitions and pressure from Twitter campaigns is simply a witchhunt orchestrated by privileged middle-class white women.
Class research task
Ched Evans: petition to prevent convicted rapist playing
Twitter user 'Jean Hatchet' has led a series of petitions against convicted rapist Ched Evans from being signed to a new club. I regard this as a valid campaign because it is important that public figures do not liberally perform such atrocities as rape and still resume their career unsanctioned.
Caroline Criado-Perez: female presence on banknotes
Criado-Perez has ultimately succeeded in her endeavours to have a woman on the back of an English banknote. Following after, she has received countless threats which have led on to cause serious harm, one of many incidents occurring daily by the hands of misogynists.
Caitlin Moran: Twitter silence
Caitlin Moran's proposition of a twitter silence was used as a symbolic act against the abusive Twitter loudmouths. The campaign seems to be a futile one as 'shutting up' doesn't do much to solve the issue of Twitter abuse against feminists and women.
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