Discussing feminism and learning a range of feminist theories is an essential part of A Level Media Studies.

Discussing feminism and learning a range of feminist theories is an essential part of A Level Media Studies.

Are we living in a post-feminist state? Do you agree there is still a need for feminism? To what extent does the media contribute to the identity created for women in popular culture? These are some of the questions we need to consider when studying representation in A Level Media.

There is a current debate regarding whether feminism is still required in the 21st century (the idea that we are now in a 'post-feminist' state) against the view that the use of new and digital media to further feminist campaigns constitutes a new fourth wave of feminism.

Key notes

Waves of feminism

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? 2010 – ongoing, use of new technology and digital media (e.g. Twitter) for activism.

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’.

(Source: Political Studies Association. Read more about this: http://www.psa.ac.uk/insight-plus/feminism-fourth-wave)

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.

They ask: are ‘trolls’ the danger they are portrayed to be?

Introduction to feminism: blog tasks

Case study: Everyday Sexism

Watch the TEDx talk by Everyday Sexism founder Laura Bates:

1) Why did Laura Bates start the Everyday Sexism project?

- she was getting harrassed 
- To put a stop to people being sexually harassed no matter what age,sex,gender,ethnicity,disability you are, employed or unemployed 

2) How does the Everyday Sexism project link to the concept of post-feminism? Is feminism still required in western societies?

everyone should be treated equally regardless of their sex. We have to get past judging women on their looks and then using that to derive some sort of idea about their agenda. 

3) Why was new technology essential to the success of the Everyday Sexism project?

- People could comment on the everyday sexism project website what they were going through and how they felt. 

- Everyday Sexism successfully campaigned for the removal of the Mobile App Plastic Surgery from the App Store and Google Play, for its promotion of a poor perspective on the concept of body image to those of a young age.

4) Will there be a point in the future when the Everyday Sexism project is not required? What is YOUR view on the future of feminism? 
- 
Females have been trying to become equal since late 1900's an it hasn't happened yet. In the 21st century women are still discriminated against and therefore if there is a time where women and men are equal it will be a long time from now. 
- Personally i think that the project will still be important in the future as we can identify the trend in how different people are treated over the many years. 

Media Magazine: The fourth wave?

Read the article: The Fourth Wave? Feminism in the Digital Age in MM55 (p64). You'll find the article in our Media Magazine archive here.

1) Summarise the questions in the first two sub-headings: What is networked feminism? Why is it a problem?
- It is basically feminism on the internet. 
- Although networked feminism is often railed against for being detrimental to the advancement of women, feminism online makes the movement free, accessible  and immediate and palpable.

2) What are the four waves of feminism? Do you agree that we are in a fourth wave ‘networked feminism’?

-first: the right to vote
-second: right for abortion
-third: present, empowerment, reclaiming of femininity (high heels, sexuality etc.)
-fourth: (often identified as post-feminism).
The new fourth wave of feminism is also known as ‘networked feminism’. It aims to tackle social equality issues found both on, and using, modern technology.

3) Focus on the examples in the article. Write a 100-word summary of EACH of the following: Everyday Sexism, HeForShe, FCKH8 campaign, This Girl Can.

- This girl can is a nationwide campaign to get women and girls moving, regardless of size, shape and ability. This Girl Can campaign, which has been described as the first fitness campaign for women which doesn’t shame or exclude them, by sharing photos, videos and quotes of women without the usual sexual exploitation of a women’s fitness advert and without body shaming. This campaign too has been heavily criticized – by feminist activists themselves – on social media fora. The online petition ‘Stop Taxing Periods. Period’ calls for tampons to stop being taxed as luxury items when they are more essential than crocodile steak, which is not penalized by the same tariff.

- The FCKH8 campaign, and more specifically the ‘Potty Mouth Princess’ YouTube video that went viral. The movement focuses on the modern representation of girls and the huge social inequalities they face, whilst featuring young girls ‘F-Bombing’ to highlight society’s imbalance when it comes to offences.
- HEFORSHE, is supporting women's movement.

4) What is your opinion with regards to feminism and new/digital media? Do you agree with the concept of a 'fourth wave' of feminism post-2010 or are recent developments like the Everyday Sexism project merely an extension of the third wave of feminism from the 1990s?

- Social media sites such as twitter gives us a voice to express our own opinion about feminism however, people can make many judgments and criticisms about each others opinions.