First, describe each of the four waves of feminism. Then compare and contrast them in terms of their respective time periods theories, and social and political issues.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

First-wave feminism occurred in the late 1800s and early 1900s in Britain, Canada, and the United States. These feminists fought for women’s voting rights and succeeded in 1920 when women won the right to vote. Second-wave feminism occurred from 1960s to 1990s and took on a wider range of issues, including sexual freedom, reproductive rights, pay equity, equal opportunity in education, and gender-based violence. However, this wave was criticized for not focusing on intersectionality. The third wave of feminism began in the 1990s and expanding on the issues of the second-wave feminists with a much bigger emphasis on intersectionality, including race and social class. We are currently in the fourth wave of feminism, which continues to expand on the issues in the second and third waves of feminism, with an even greater focus on intersectionality, rejection of the gender binary, and more focus on transgender issues. The fourth wave of feminism has been fueled by recent advances in technology, including social media.