The fight for women’s rights has been a long and arduous journey that is far from being over. Even though the change might seem subtle, comparing the range of opportunities and rights that modern women have to those that women used to possess several decades ago will show how tremendous the progress has been. Though aspects of the feminist movement have been altered substantially, with numerous ideas having been added and new agendas having been recognized, the core focus of the movement needs to remain the same, centering women’s rights and needs, particularly, the right to self-determination and free association, in order to forward the movement and ensure that women’s issues are addressed.
Delving into the history of feminism will reveal t5eh scale of progress. The first-wave feminism in its nature represented a rise in political activism among Western women, particularly, in regard to their right to vote, be employed, and own property (Wiggins & Anderson, 2019). The specified movement was quite direct in its objectives, albeit admittedly restricted in the scope and range of vulnerable groups of women that it targeted (Wiggins & Anderson, 2019). Namely, being started mostly by upper- and middle-class white women, it lacked the needed diversity.
In turn, second-wave feminism laid the foundation for the following development of the movement. Shaping to become more specific, the goals of the specified movement were geared toward the expansion of women’s rights toward equality, as well as the abolition of harmful gender stereotypes and gender roles (Wiggins & Anderson, 2019). Specifically, second-wave feminists sought to address inequality and discrimination toward women in regard to employment and workplace, including the fight against the glass ceiling (Wiggins & Anderson, 2019). Similarly, the right to bodily autonomy, especially abortion rights, represented one of the focal points. Remarkably, second-wave feminism was infused with the concept of inclusivity and principles of diversity, allowing the movement to incorporate perspectives of women of different ethnic, racial, religious, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds (Wiggins & Anderson, 2019). Therefore, the second-wave feminist movement can be considered the continuation of the process launched by first-wave feminism.
In turn, third-wave feminism centered on the notion of inclusivity as one of the core objectives. Implying the expansion of the movement, it set the premises for a global outreach, incorporating the principles of intersectionality (Wiggins & Anderson, 2019). Finally, fourth-wave feminism as the phenomenon currently observed in the global community can be defined as the fight for female empowerment in the contemporary digital landscape and with the help of the related tools (Wiggins & Anderson, 2019). Furthermore, issues such as cybersecurity and the relevant concerns affecting women are addressed.
- The image in question appears to represent the concerns raised by proponents of third-wave feminism. Providing an interpretation of how early technologies allow expanding the rights of women of different ethnic and racial backgrounds, the specified image conveys a clear idea of equal opportunities in the workplace.
- The sculpture by Hosmer appears to allude to the plight of first-wave feminists, who pointed to the dire condition of women as the class that was deprived of basic rights and seen primarily as ornaments for men.
- Challenging gender stereotypes and implying that women can wear any clothes and even have facial hair, while still remaining women, Catherine Opie’s wok represents the ideas of second-wave feminism. The picture defies the concept of traditional femininity, freeing women of conventional beauty standards and constraints of social perceptions of typically feminine looks, clothes, and jobs.
- Finally, the fourth image can be considered an example of the fourth-wave feminism. Returning to the roots of womanhood and examining different cultural perceptions thereof, starting with the ancient representations of women, the specified picture encourages an intersectional perspective on feminism and its goals.
Reference
Wiggins, J. L., & Anderson, K. J. (2019). From Sabotage to Support: A New Vision for Feminist Solidarity in the Workplace. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.