The definition of feminism is ‘The advocacy of women 's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes’ (dictionary.com, 2015). It is believed by some that the ideas of feminism have dramatically changed since the feminist movement first started in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, while others believe the original goals have just adapted to suit modern times (GWANET, 2015). This report will investigate how the current generation’s idea of feminism differs from those of the past, and how the media has affected this change. Investigating how the ideas of feminism are different around the world and how social media has affected and influenced the changing ideas of feminism will also be explored. A survey of thirty random people
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When asked what the three waves of feminism were …% of people gave the correct answer while …% did not. The first wave of feminism is believed to have started in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries (Pacific University Oregon, 2014). The goal of this wave was to open up opportunities for women, with a focus on suffrage. At first the suffragettes believed in peaceful protest, as they thought that any violence or trouble would persuade men that women could not be trusted to have the right to vote (The History Learning Site, 2015). The women made logical arguments, stating that if women had to pay taxes, then why couldn’t they vote? But after not being taken seriously the women took to more violent actions, many suffragettes burned down churches as the Church of England was against what they wanted (The History Learning Site, 2015). They vandalised Oxford Street, chained themselves to Buckingham Palace, and refused to pay their taxes. Some even attacked politicians on their way to work and others fire bombed their houses (The History Learning Site, 2015). Eventually the suffragette’s hard work paid off and women were allowed to vote, in Australia this happened in 1902 (Australian Electoral Commissoin, …show more content…
The popular hash tag #WomenAgainstFeminism has been circulating social media; along with statements such as “I don’t need feminism because I am not a delusional, disgusting, hypocritical man-hater. I respect men and they respect me” (Women Againts Feminism, 2014). This shows the misunderstanding some women have of feminism. This hash tag has negatively influenced feminism as many people see it and believe that the statements made are true, and as a result more people believe that feminism is a negative movement. Because of the many negative connotations surrounding the word feminism, some people, men in particular, have taken to calling themselves ‘meninists’ to take the mickery out of the feminist movement (Day Of The Girl, 2013). Unlike feminism, the ‘menimist’ movement isn’t focused on helping people, but rather poking fun at gender roles and shaming feminists. The ‘menimist’ movement has its own Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr accounts and posts jokes such as “I hate it when people say ‘women should always be in the kitchen’… how are they supposed to clean the rest of the house?” (@MeninistTweet, 2015). While many may consider this to be funny other posts by the page are more threatening and misogynistic than others. This behaviour affects the feminist movement as it turns the movement into a joke. Some meninists even refer to feminists as
When asked what the three waves of feminism were …% of people gave the correct answer while …% did not. The first wave of feminism is believed to have started in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries (Pacific University Oregon, 2014). The goal of this wave was to open up opportunities for women, with a focus on suffrage. At first the suffragettes believed in peaceful protest, as they thought that any violence or trouble would persuade men that women could not be trusted to have the right to vote (The History Learning Site, 2015). The women made logical arguments, stating that if women had to pay taxes, then why couldn’t they vote? But after not being taken seriously the women took to more violent actions, many suffragettes burned down churches as the Church of England was against what they wanted (The History Learning Site, 2015). They vandalised Oxford Street, chained themselves to Buckingham Palace, and refused to pay their taxes. Some even attacked politicians on their way to work and others fire bombed their houses (The History Learning Site, 2015). Eventually the suffragette’s hard work paid off and women were allowed to vote, in Australia this happened in 1902 (Australian Electoral Commissoin, …show more content…
The popular hash tag #WomenAgainstFeminism has been circulating social media; along with statements such as “I don’t need feminism because I am not a delusional, disgusting, hypocritical man-hater. I respect men and they respect me” (Women Againts Feminism, 2014). This shows the misunderstanding some women have of feminism. This hash tag has negatively influenced feminism as many people see it and believe that the statements made are true, and as a result more people believe that feminism is a negative movement. Because of the many negative connotations surrounding the word feminism, some people, men in particular, have taken to calling themselves ‘meninists’ to take the mickery out of the feminist movement (Day Of The Girl, 2013). Unlike feminism, the ‘menimist’ movement isn’t focused on helping people, but rather poking fun at gender roles and shaming feminists. The ‘menimist’ movement has its own Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr accounts and posts jokes such as “I hate it when people say ‘women should always be in the kitchen’… how are they supposed to clean the rest of the house?” (@MeninistTweet, 2015). While many may consider this to be funny other posts by the page are more threatening and misogynistic than others. This behaviour affects the feminist movement as it turns the movement into a joke. Some meninists even refer to feminists as