Fourth Wave Feminism

Fourth Wave of Feminism

“Although the first and second waves of feminism were important -- hey, I'm glad I can vote, and wear jeans and work -- and the third wave made make-up and girls cool again... but where are that fourth wave, the one I'm craving
(Ria, 2004).”
So what is the “Fourth Wave” of feminism—a fusion of spirituality and social justice reminiscent of the American civil rights movement and Gandhi’s call for nonviolent change (Peay, 2005).”
As we move into the fourth decade of the women's movement, some believe women are doing nearly everything men do, but are they getting the equal respect as men? “This fourth wave has women breaking through the glass ceiling and having equal pay in CEO positions, but also being able to take a year's maternity leave with pay. Men, could also share this maternity leave -- we could be PC and call it parental leave, if the gentlemen so wished (Ria, 2004).” So are women today satisfied to be equal to men? What differences is still afflicting between men and women that women are not allowed or able to do nowadays? “Many women today aren't satisfied with being equal to men – they want to be men. From casual sex to cutthroat boardroom deals, the little girls who were "sugar and spice and everything nice," grew up to be anything but (Leupold, 2007).”
To define the “Fourth Wave” of feminism, you can relate it to the television show, “Sex and the City.” This popular American cable television program focus on four female characters, tackled socially relevant issues, often specifically dealing with women in society in the late 1990s, and how changing roles and definitions for women affected the characters. The women discussed their sexual desires and fantasies, as well as their beliefs and opinions about their "oh-so-sexiness". The show often portrayed openly discussions about romance and sexuality, particularly in the context of being a single woman in her mid-thirties.
Still today, we are trying to develop a sense of what the future of feminism should be. It is safe to say that women have came a far way and have accomplished many goals that women were not able to conquer years back. Many women are more respected in the male dominant businesses world and taking up roles that women were not usually permitted. Thus, with more and more acknowledgment of our existence, it sends out a positive message to many young girls to thrive for excellence. They will learn to recognize that if the men can do it, they can do it just as well or better, and not to mention, they look better doing it than the men.
Sources

Fourth Wave Feminism
Special Project- Portfolio at NYU
http://journalism.nyu.edu/portfolio/leupold/index.html

A new activist movement is gathering women across faiths
The Episcopal Church
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/41685_61607_ENG_HTM.htm

Dialogue
A Fourth-Wave Manifesto
http://undialogo.blogspot.com/2004/10/fourth-wave-manifesto.html