Analysis Of Second-Wave Feminism

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In this essay I will discuss second-wave feminism and its attitude toward women in the household, and the sex/gender binary. I will aim to explain the basis of second-wave feminism and how it undermined women’s ability to define themselves. In contrast to this I will explore third-wave feminism and it’s attempt to reconcile the mistakes of second-wave by being intersectional, without definition and non-judgemental. I will further discuss how gender is defined by the self, but also by society, and how third-wave feminisms fall victim to defining women.

Second-wave feminism was a movement spanning from the 1960s to 1980s in the Western world. This strain of feminism centred around white, middle-class, cisgender women’s place in society, largely criticizing their role in the household and workplace. Feminists of this era argued that the personal was political, making a point that women
Snyder-Hall (255) suggests that ‘third-wave feminism insists that each woman must decide for herself how to negotiate the often contradictory desires for both gender equality and sexual liberation.’ She goes on to clarify, stating that she does not believe women ought to justify their decisions to anyone, but believes that ‘everyone should consider the impact their choices have on themselves, other people, and the entire ranges of values they hold dear, when they decide how to live.’ Using the example of a young woman in a Playboy magazine, Synder-Hall (259) considers that this hypothetical woman should determine if sexualizing herself is to the benefit of herself and other women, or detrimental to the community as a whole. While I agree with the general idea of the betterment of womanhood – or personhood – as a whole, I argue that a woman’s choices need not be so centralised on the community, and focus on her own identity and enjoyment of

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