Fifth Wave Feminism

Fifth Wave Feminism

Feminism is a body of social theory and political movement primarily based on and motivated by the experiences of women. While generally providing a critique of social relations, many proponents of feminism also focus on analyzing gender inequality and the promotion of women's rights, interests, and issues.
Feminist theory aims to understand the nature of gender inequality and focuses on gender politics, power relations and sexuality. Feminist political activism campaigns on issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, sexual harassment, discrimination and sexual violence. Themes explored in feminism include discrimination, stereotyping, objectification, sexual objectification, oppression and patriarchy.While generally providing a critique of social relations, many proponents of feminism also focus on analyzing gender inequality and the promotion of women's rights, interests, and issues.Modern feminist theory has been extensively criticized as being predominantly different from the liberation and independency of women rights. Feminist activism, however, is a grass roots movement which crosses class and race boundaries (Mike Louis).
The fifth wave feminism will result in the modern working independent women, as we begin to see it now. There is Hilary Clinton for example proving that women are entering the men-dominant positions such as presidency. Hilary is the first woman to advance into the final stages of running for presidency, and she might become president. This shows that in the future as the “fifth wave” women are becoming empowered and are reflecting on everything from our daily routines to our political habits and ideals. It has allows women to look at ourselves differently, as it opposes the patriarchal structure, which often prevents woman being treated equally

issues(Laura Winn, 2007). We also see it as television shows have higher ratings when an independent strong woman is the primary subject of the story. This is because women are entering society and are being respected and are influential. Feminism today is not about being in a club and looking pretty, it is the search for political equality with personal freedom. In the “fifth wave” feminism the percentage of independent women will increase because women in the 20th century have learned to raise children on their own and single women have achieved their goals without a male on their side. Discrimination and tolerance for women are changing and when the “fifth wave” comes in it will most likely be close in achieving women dominance in society. Women will no longer be related to the social norm that is now fading away of being housewives and house chores as being categorized for women. We are now seeing males acting on the women roles, which in the future waves will not be categorized in either gender as major changes are happening. In the “fifth wave’ women will be showing their independence and continue climbing the ladders to enter the male-dominant field, which society has made difficult to break into. The feminism waves are proving that those walls can be broken and women are stepping out of the oppressed population.

1. “Changes in Feminism”. Laura Winn, March 2007. The State University of New York. www.NewsCenter.Com

2. “Feminism and Social Movement Theory”. Mike Louis, December 2006. Alexander Street Press. www.alexanderstreet.com