A History of Feminism
The second wave began in 1963 and lasted until the 1980s. During the second wave, notable feminists including Bella Abzug, Betty Friedan, and Gloria Steinem founded women’s liberation groups, seeking political change in conjunction with New Left political groups (Harlan 77). Together these groups “raised the consciousness of the women and men of the country.” (Harlan 77) Major issues brought forward by second wave feminism include: sexual liberation, reproductive rights, and, especially, labour equality (Bracewell). Labour equality during second wave feminism focused on pay equity, access to jobs (and to education), recognition of women’s unpaid labour at home, and “rebalancing the double workload of family and outside work for women in the paid labour force.” (Harlan 77) The second wave ended because various counter-movements questioned the need for feminism and generated a public discomfort with the movement – there was a sense that the rights had been won and that equality had been achieved.
The third wave of feminism emerged during the 1990s – it is under debate whether we are still in the third wave. The third wave approaches women’s rights with the experiences of a much wider diversity of voices, and “many of the daughters and sons of the second wave.” (Harlan 78) The third wave intends to “reach back” to those who were excluded or forgotten during the first wave and second wave (Bracewell). It is “multicultural and inclusive, supporting women of all heritages as well as the rights of lesbian women and gay men.” (Harlan 78) As well, the third wave is associated with the claiming of a much more overt sexuality. Women of the third wave seek to establish the image of women as “fundamentally strong, confident, and brave” within the public consciousness (Harlan 78).
