Third-wave feminism facts for kids
Third-wave feminism was a part of the feminist movement. It started in the United States in the early 1990s. This wave lasted until the fourth wave began around the 2010s.
People in this wave were born in the 1960s and 1970s. They grew up with the civil rights changes from the second wave. Third-wave feminists believed in diversity and individualism for women. They wanted to rethink what it meant to be a feminist.
This time saw new ideas like intersectionality. This idea means that women can face different kinds of unfairness. This unfairness can be because of their gender, race, or social class. The term third wave was first used by Rebecca Walker. She wanted to show that this wave was a new movement, not just a reaction.
As feminists started using the internet in the late 1990s, their ideas reached more people. They used blogs and online magazines called e-zines. They worked to end gender stereotypes. They also wanted feminism to include women from all different backgrounds.
Contents
What is Third-Wave Feminism?
Third-wave feminism built on the work of earlier feminist movements. The second wave had already won many rights. These included equal access to education (Title IX). They also gained child-care services and funding for young women's education.
How Did the Third Wave Start?
Many leaders from the second wave were women of color. These included Gloria E. Anzaldúa, bell hooks, and Audre Lorde. They wanted feminist ideas to also include discussions about race. Books like This Bridge Called My Back (1981) pointed out that earlier feminism often focused on white women's issues.
Another important moment was the book Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity by Judith Butler. It was published in 1990. This book became very important for understanding feminist ideas at the time.
The Rise of Riot Grrrl
The early 1990s saw the start of riot grrrl. This was a feminist punk subculture that began in Olympia, Washington. The name "grrrl" with three "r"s was a way to take back the word "girl" for women.
Riot grrrl followed the "DIY philosophy" of punk music. This meant being independent and not relying on big companies. It focused on women's shared identity and often seemed similar to second-wave feminism.
Main Goals of Third-Wave Feminism
A big challenge for third-wave feminism was that some people thought equality was already achieved. They believed that the first two waves had done enough. They felt that pushing for more women's rights was not needed.
Some even thought that women's rights had gone too far. This led to arguments about whether programs like affirmative action were fair. Third-wave feminists focused on "Consciousness raising". This meant helping people understand that unfairness against women still existed.
Third-wave feminists often worked on "micro-politics." This means focusing on smaller, everyday issues. They also let women decide what feminism meant to them personally.
Important Issues for Third-Wave Feminists
Third-wave feminism focused on several key issues. These included race, social class, and the rights of transgender people. They also looked at problems in the workplace.
Some workplace issues were the glass ceiling, which means invisible barriers to promotion. They also worked on unfair maternity-leave policies. Support for single mothers through financial aid and child care was also important. They wanted respect for working mothers. They also supported the rights of mothers who chose to stay home with their children.
See also
In Spanish: Tercera ola del feminismo para niños
