General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why "fun feminism" should be consigned to the rubbish bin [View all]Old and In the Way
(37,540 posts)Last edited Thu Mar 15, 2012, 12:41 PM - Edit history (1)
and maybe the opposite is true - the 2nd wave methods no longer apply in today's world.
The mid/late 60's was a time of significant change, a social rebellion/revolution happening concurently at many different levels. Anti-war, women's rights, church and social justice, fashion, music, art, Black Power movement, Yippies, Hippies etc. The thing most of these movements had in common was organizing and mobilizing which were new concepts and there was, by necessity, a lot of intersectionalism happening. Any protest would bring out a wide variety of issue-oriented sub-groups....sometimes it was like going to a bazaar and having competing causes trying to grab your attention and "protest energy". Back then, if you wanted to be heard and get your agenda broadcast, you had to be seen - in great numbers...you had to really get out there in the streets because we had a pretty limited access to mass communication....no cell phones, computers, fax machines internet.e-mail, Facebook/Ttwitter. So, by design, I think the 2nd waver's were necessarily loud, angry, and combative as they fought to get their agenda heard in the mainstream consciousness and force society to break long held norms/mores on the roles and rights of women. Today, the social structures on the macro-level have changed (albeit deficient in some areas like income equality) - women are running major corporations, political office, fighting in combat, and are working in every field available to men. Mirco-level institutions, like marriages have changed, too. I grew up in a very traditional Beaver Cleaver type family organization. My marriage/family structure was totally different - the wife and I both worked/shared baby duties/and shared decision making on everything.
Today, those macro-battles have essentially ended...well, they pretty much were until the Republican Party decided to run on a Back to the Past agenda. Now we're starting to see organized pushback - a reaction to the conservative movement's attempt to turn back the clock on settled social policy. Still, there aren't these massive revolutionary social changes taking place...the focus on women's reproductive rights are being channeled primarily through our political processes/institutions And social media/internet have replaced the 1st wave methods of bringing attention and effecting change. 3rd wavers are most certainly involved, in their own way, and using the technology tools and access to mass communication to make their voices heard.
I guess I look at the 1st wave, like a tide change...the first wave is the biggest and reaches up furtherest only to recede. The follow-up waves are smaller, but relentless and eventually you do reach the highest tide possible.
My $.02
On edit: Changed subject line and thread to reflect correct wave references (h/t Gormy Cuss)