A Short Introduction

 FEMINISM

Written by Maggie Strauser

Identify yourself as a feminist, and see how many people instantaneously assume that you’re a man-hating, bra-burning, armpit-hair-dying, whiny liberal, which is by no means an accurate description of a “feminist”. Anyone can be a feminist, so long as you believe in total equality. When people hear about feminism, they think that it’s solely a gender issue, when, in reality, feminism is about equality for all. Sure, feminine equality is what it started with, but now feminism is much more than just dealing with gender inequality issues.

There have been three waves of feminism. Here’s a brief history:

The beginning of the feminist movement in the 19th century is considered to be the first wave of feminism, what with the struggles of suffragists determined to win the ability to vote and gain political equality. This movement at the time was confined to upper and middle class women, and excluded many minorities.

The second wave of feminism occurred in the 1960s. Women, though having won the vote already, were still largely sequestered in domestic roles. These feminists fought for social equality.

Third wave feminism, though disagreed over by feminists and scholars, is said to have begun in the 1990s and continues to this very day. This movement includes everyone, and fights for everyone.

Now, why do we need feminism?

We need feminism because everyone, no matter their race, gender, income, creed, and sexual orientation, should be equal.