Schrof describes the waves of the feminist movements. The first wave of feminist activism is considered the Women's Suffrage Movement. The second wave of feminist activism came some thirty years ago with the publication of Betty Friedan's manifesto, The Feminist Mystique.
The article states that this movement was so successful that the daughters of this second wave--young women now in their teens and twenties--have grown up taking equality for granted.
Outstanding historic events--the Anita Hill- Clarence Thomas hearings and the supreme court decisions that have regressed from the Roe vs Wade decision--have sparked a third wave of feminist movement. Schrof explains that changes in society--the AIDS epidemic, violence toward young women, high college tuition, a ruined economy, and a damaged environment-- have fueled and motivated the third wave movement.
Rebecca Walker and a piece of her writing entitled "I am the Third Wave.", assume some responsibility for recent momentum in the movement. Walker and Shannon Liss founded the Third Wave Direct Action Corp. In addition to the Third Wave Direct Action Corp. the author references many other active feminist organizations. They take on what they consider unfinished work of feminism. The third wave is trying to break through many of the remaining barriers such as violence, poverty, racism, homophobia, inaccessible healthcare, and rigid workplace structures.
The author depicts some conflict between the second and third waves. The young women are told by some of their elders that they are "demanding ingrates". The third wave wants to expand their goals to incorporate other groups and varying issues. They are aware that their predecessors are thought of as mainly being separatists and hateful toward men.
Despite the fact they have just begun their crusade, Schrof cites
success stories and challenges of the third wave feminist movement.
This article published in 1993, written by Joannie Schrof, entitled Feminism's Daughters: Their Agenda is a Cultural Sea of Change, conveys useful information in a concise manner.
The author writes mainly of the third wave feminists, their efforts and causes. This third wave of feminists has more of an all encompassing view toward change. Not only are they striving for equal rights among women and men, they are rallying against racism, violence, poverty, and homophobia.
The author references active groups within the third wave movement. Some of these groups are: WHAM (Women's Health Action and Mobilization), WIN (Women's Information Network), FURY (Feminists United to Represent Youth), and YELL (Youth Education Life Line). In addition to groups, the author also mentions important individuals who are active in the movements. I believe this is important because it offers suggestions for further research on the topic of feminism and related issues.
The author describes the driving force behind the movement. As children they learned they were inheriting a damaged environment, and a ruined economy. During their lifetimes the AIDS epidemic has exploded, reported violence against young women has risen almost 50%, and college tuition has increased immensely. The third wavers decided to take matters into their own hands. The above mentioned combined with recent events in our history have fueled the third wave movement.
The conflict between the second and the third wavers is interesting. One would think that uniting to fight for the same causes would be beneficial. From reading the article I got the impression that the second wave feels as though they are being shoved aside, and trampled in the process. The third wave has come in and taken over issues that second wavers are still fighting for. The third wave sees their predecessors as man-hating. In contrast the third wave have allowed men into their organizations.
It is my opinion that today's feminist movement is not fighting so much for equal rights of women, but for equal rights of humans. A good example of changing feminist views is exhibited in an accompanying article by Schrof entitled "From Feminism to Ageism". The shift from decreasing male domination, to concern for improving the existence of humankind, has been an evolutionary shift.
Feminism has truly evolved over the years. Feminism has led
the way for equally important movements such as the one just mentioned.
Feminism has subtle rippling effects on change in society. These
ripples often lead to big waves of change.
© Angie Lettner, Winona (MN) State University, 30 January 1997. This document may be freely distributed for educational use as long as this notice of its authorship accompanies its distribution.
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