Intro to feminism

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

She was repeatedly sexually harassed on her way to and from work.
2) How does the Everyday Sexism project link to the concept of post-feminism? Is feminism still required in western societies?

It focuses on the sexual assault stories of all types of people regardless of sexuality, gender E.C.T. 
The everyday sexism project proves that feminism is still required in western societies as it showcases how rampant cases of all kinds of violence and discrimination against women in everyday life.

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

It was essential as new technology allowed Laura Bates to broadcast her website and allow her website/project to be reached/accessed by a large amount of people. which in turn allowed her project to be successful as a large amount of people started sharing their experiences.
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?

I don't believe that there will be a point where the everyday sexism project is not required as there will always be discrimination against both genders and also gender fuelled violence. I think that the future of feminism will still revolve around women, but will also start to focus on men and violence against men.

1) Summarise the questions in the first two sub-headings: What is networked feminism? Why is it a problem?

Feminism is often divided into ‘waves’ to explain their cultural context. The ‘first wave of feminism’ began in the late 19th to early 20^th centuries, with a main focus on suffrage. The ‘second wave’ began in the 1960s, campaigning for the growth of equal rights and leading to the Equal Pay Act of 1970, amongst other equality laws. Since the late 1990s, we are believed to have entered the ‘third wave’ (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. Hashtags have been used to spur on the feminist upheaval. Ideologies and communities that were thought to have been extinct have been reignited on the internet. User-generated content websites have seemed to flourish with feminists: blogs, submission sites and YouTube are all being utilised to set up, grow and oppose campaigns. Twitter is a big player in representing modern feminism; people are now able to engage with the ideologies, popular hastags include #WomenAgainstFeminism and #YesAllWomen, highlighting both the significance of feminism in today’s society, and the divisions it has created. However, moving into a new era of feminism without solving the problems that we have faced in other waves clearly creates issues.

Since the 60s feminism has fought to recognise the social struggle of women.Feminists in 2015 still deal with misconceptions and prejudice: the idea that rape or coercive sex may be justified if a woman is wearing provocative clothing, the huge gender pay gap despite equality legislation, the ubiquitous representations of women as weak and disempowered. Arguably in the eyes of the law (most) women are equal citizens.To many people in 2015, this means that women have won what they fought for – although many high-profile women in the arts and media would strongly disagree. The difference in today’s society is that in the world of technological development, feminism can be left behind. Digital outlets change and update regularly, and social media platforms make messaging instant. In the media, ‘feminists’ are still frequently associated with campaigners such as the Suffragettes.

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

1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th. I do agree that we are in a fourth wave 'networked feminism'

3) Focus on the examples in the article. Write a 50-word summary of EACH of the following: Everyday Sexism, HeForShe, FCKH8 campaign, This Girl Can.

Everyday Sexism, Laura Bates started 2012 as a website posting users examples of sexism. Set it up after ‘people told me sexism is no longer a problem – women are equal’.  50,000 entries made by December 2013.One of the most popular feminist digital campaigns. Doesn’t represent feminism as only for females.

He For She by Emma Watson. “Fighting for women’s rights has become synonymous with man-hating. Men, gender equality is your issue too.” Male support for gender equality, feminism is not matriarchy, but solidarity. Used Twitter for a Q&A session, When asked for ‘tips for girls with parents who think they should marry and have kids, not a successful career?’ she answered ‘Why not both?’ This removes the misandry that has blighted traditional feminism. criticism He For She campaign, saying that it makes feminism too reliant on males, undermining the ‘strong woman’ element and relying on the old stereotypes.

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?