Timeline of Feminism

1. First-wave feminism: 1900-1959

a. Primary focus:

I. Legal rights (vote, run for office, own property) through existing legal channels

b. Characterized by: suffragettes, liberalism

c. Limitations: legal rights largely for white women only

2. Second-wave feminism: 1960-1989

a. Primary focuses:

I.Bodily reclamation, especially reproductive rights by dismantling informal modes of discrimination (i.e. social norms)

II. Access to equal rights at work

b. Characterized by: existentialism, radicalism, post-colonialism

c. Limitations: expresses anti-gay/trans or racist biases (at times)

3. Third-wave feminism: 1990-2009

a. Primary focuses:

I. Acceptance of diversity

II. Furthering legal progress, especially through more representation of women in education, jobs, and the media

III. Re-appropriation of “femininity” as a positive concept

b. Characterized by: intersectionality, the rise of the internet, and sexual/body positivity

c. Limitations: said to lack cohesive/definitive ideology

4. Fourth-wave feminism: 2010-modern day

a. Primary focuses:

I. Illustrates that patriarchal structures damage everyone

II. Combats sexual harassment and assault

III. Gender and sexuality on a spectrum

b.    Characterized by: “Me Too” movement, use of social media, increased involvement of non-women in the movement