Is there a need for feminism after the year of the woman?

1. Is there a need for feminism after the year of the woman? By: Meredith Ackerman Virginia Commonwealth University University 200 MAIN CLAIM 1992 was the height of third wave feminism and declared “the year of the woman”; since then is there still a need for feminism in modern US society? If so, are there changes the movement could make or developing issues that could push feminism into a new wave?

2. Research Question #1 • Has we entered a post-feminist era since “The Year of the Woman” or are we in a lull between waves?

3. Whatever happened to the feminist movement by Suzanne Staggenborg and Verta Taylor Suzanne Staggenborg who received her PhD from North Western and is now a professor at the University of Pittsburg where she focuses on social movements, political sociology, and the sociology of family and gender among other topics Verta Taylor, a current professor at the University of California Santa Barbara who received her PhD from the Ohio State University, has published over 15 books and produced over 100 scholarly articles

4. Staggenborn & Taylor Continued • Answer to Research Question: This article shows how at other points in history, mainly the 70’s – 80’s, there have been claims that we are in a post-feminism era (37) and that feminism had died; • Strong Evidence: • This article details how there were 86 articles, written between 1989 and 2001, that were on the subject of the “death of feminism” • 74 articles were written on the “post-feminist era” • There have been multiple points in the last century which have been declared as the beginning to post-feminism • Other movements, such as civil rights, have seen similar periods of heightened visibility and activism as well as periods of less activity and visibility Sub-claim : This source allows me to argue that since 1992 we have not enter a “post-feminist” era, rather it is in a period of lessened visibility as was seen after the close of the second wave of feminism.

5. No turning back: A history of feminism and the future of women by Estelle Freedman • Estelle Freedman is a historian and professor of US history at Stanford University since 1976 who received her PhD from Columbia University. During her tenure in academia she had been awarded with many distinguished awards and research fellowships.

6. Freedman Continued • Answer to Research Question: This source does not directly relate to feminism since 1992, but it does explore the previous three waves of feminism. Without knowing the full extent of feminism during previous waves it is hard to determine the status of modern day feminism. • Strong Evidence: • After all the height of all three waves of established feminism there were periods of lessened activity, making the three waves distinguishable • The name “wave” would suggest rises and falls • Each new wave of feminism gains momentum by coming together around an issue, such as the right to vote , the right to work, or equal pay for equal work • Strong and effective leadership coincided with the rise of social issues to solidify a new wave • Sub-claim: This source allows me to argue that feminism is in a lull by more fully exploring the reach and the power of the first three waves of feminism; by understanding what previous generations did to create a movement that could not be ignored, feminist of today can identify where we are lacking and how we could begin to improve.

7. The world split open: how modern women’s movements changed America by Ruth Rosen • Ruth Rosen is Professor Emerita of History at the University of California at Davis where she focuses on women’s history, public policy and American History who has also been honored with several awards and authored multiple other books and scholarly works • This source allows me to argue that, comparatively speaking, the feminist movement if not as effective as is has been. This source is more focused on the modern day feminist movement and provides a more in depth analysis of what feminism has been doing for the past several decades. This allows me to make an informed comparison with other sources that have focused more on past waves of feminism.

8. Rosen Continued • Answer to Research Question: This book makes two main points: • 1. The transition of many ‘personal issues’ (i.e. abortion/ contraceptives) into political issues • 2. The emergence of new political issues caused difference segments of the feminist movement (women of color, different religions, etc.) to vie for visibility • Strong Evidence: • The rise of new medical technologies, such as abortion and birth control, has created new ways for feminism to advance • These new issues bring renewed activism to the feminist movement • Sometimes these new areas of advancement can cause confrontation between factions of feminism • Movements must beware of splitting into factions over small issues, it can lessen their efficacy and drive people away from the cause • Sub-claim”This source allows me to argue that a lull in the current visibility of feminist activism may not be long-term if new issues are made a part of the political and public awareness and cause renewed activism and visibility; • Sub-claim: This source also allows me argue that the emergence of new politically sensitive issues may cause the movement to develop factions; • These two points may seem contradictory, but new issues that emerge may very well invigorate the movement while also create factions when deciding how to deal with new issues

9. Research Question #2 • Are there still new ways for modern feminism to evolve and be one the forefront again?

10. Teaching the Conflict: (Re)Engaging Students with Feminism in a Post Feminist World by Meredith Love and Brenda Helmbrecht • Meredith Love is an Assistant Professor of English at Francis Marion University as well as the Coordinator of the English Composition Program there. She has Masters Degree in Literature and a PhD in Rhetoric and composition. She has written several articles on third-wave feminism and continues to do research with other academics is the field of feminism. • Brenda Helmbrecht is an Associate Professor of English at California Polytechnic State University. Dr. Helmbrecht received her Masters degree and PhD from Miami University, Ohio in Rhetoric and Composition. She has authored and coauthored several articles regarding feminism and politics, as well as several articles on English composition.

11. Love & Helmbrecht Continued • Answer to Research Question: This article attributes the lessening visibility of the feminist movement to two things • 1. There has been a great deal of benefits to women as a result of the feminist movement; this article claims the benefits are so great they have led younger women to no longer see the need for feminism • 2. Also, younger women didn’t experience the progress caused by earlier waves of feminism and therefore are less familiar with its ideals, leaders, and effects; as a results younger women don’t feel connected to the overarching feminist narrative • Strong Evidence: • Many movies and TV shows since 1990 depict women who seem empowered and independent • This depiction has cause an entire generation of women to grow up with Veronica Mars and Murphy Brown rather than Marsha Brady or Mrs. Partridge and see women as empower and equal to men • Seeing more independent women displayed in TV and movies can give an overinflated sense of equality, when really the inequality is just less visible than in previous generations. • Sub-claim:This source allows me to argue that feminism may have seen a decline in efficacy since 1992 due to less awareness by the younger generation of women of the benefits they received as a result of earlier waves. Younger women are less likely to take up the cause of feminism as they do not see a great need for it and they do not feel feminism is connected to their own lives.

12. Unspeakable Inequalities: Post Feminism, Entrepreneurial Subjectivity, and the Repudiation of Sexism among Cultural Workers by Rosalind Gill • Dr. Rosalind Gill is a Professor of Cultural and Social Analysis at City University of London. She studied Psychology and Sociology at Exeter University and received her PhD in social psychology at the Discourse and Rhetoric Group at Loughborough University. She has taught at Goldsmiths and King’s College London before she began her current position. Throughout her career she has focused on interdisciplinary gender studies.

13. Gill Continued • Answer to Research Question: This source is useful because it shows that while feminism has been less visible in recent years, there are still areas of inequality within our society that could and should be addressed by the feminist movement • Strong Evidence: • Since the mid 90’s there has been a decreasing trend of women in top US Government positions • There has also been a 5.6% decline in female CEO’s at fortune 500 companies in the past 20 years • Women are twice as likely to never return to work after the birth of a child, and if they do they are more likely to become part-time • More flexible work schedules and location (I.E telecommuting) may offer a partial solution to keeping more women in the workforce • Greater childcare options for all parents, not just the wealthy, can help reduce inequality a • Sub-claim: This source allows me to show that there are still issues of gender facing our society today; there are still areas of inequality that the feminist movement could rally around and address given the right leadership and momentum.

14. Women's Studies in the "Post-Feminist" Universityby Katherine Romack • Dr. Katherine Romack in as Associate Professor of English at the University of West Florida. Dr. Romack has focused on women’s writing, gender and performance theory, as well as Shakespeare;

15. Romack Continued • Answer to Research Question: This article shows that Women’s Studies degrees have disappeared from colleges and universities across the United States and the UK in favor of gender or cultural studies degrees. This decline mirrors the decline of feminist activism and visibility at the end of the third wave. • Strong Evidence: • No a single Women’s Studies degrees program left in the United Kingdom • Fewer than five women’s studies degree programs remaining in the US, it is more often a concentration offered • Timeline for this shift aligns with decline in third wave feminism. • The switch from “women’s studies“ to “gender equality” mirrors the shift from the usage of the term “race” to “diversity” that was seen in the civil rights movement • Sub-claim: This source allows me to argue that there are many out there who agree with feminism but do not label themselves as such. The recent visibility of feminism may be greater if we considered actions taken in the name of gender equality as well.

16. Research Question #3 • Are there new/developing problem areas that the feminist movement can address and use to reinvigorate its base?

17. The Myth of Post-feminism by Elaine J. Hall and Marnie S. Rodriguez • Dr. Elaine Hall is a professor of law at Northumbria School of Law as well as a reader of legal education research. Dr. Hall studied as Cambridge University where she focused on education but has written and contributed to many articles regarding education, especially in the field of law, and how to ensure equal access to all studnets. • Dr. Marnie Rodriguez studied at Kent State University and is currently an associate professor of sociology and criminal anthropology at Cleveland State University. Dr. Rodriguez’s areas of focus have been social inequalities and the research methods used to study them.

18. Hall and Rodriguez Continued • Answer to Research Question: This article looks at how there has been an anti-feminist backlash since the ear 1990’s, especially in younger women, minorities, and women who stay at home. • Strong Evidence: • Since the mid-90’s there has been a 12—25% drop in the number of women who actively identify as feminist • This is attributed by Hall and Rodriguez to a backlash against feminism • There has been a surge in those who identify as anti-feminist movement since 1990 • Almost 70% of US women do not identify as feminist even though they may agree with their ideals and aims • A new issue such as universal child care or gender parity in leadership roles may be the spark feminism needs to shed the negative connotation and move into a new era. • Sub-claim: This source allows me to argue that there has been a decline in the visibility and activism of feminism and this may be due, in part, to a backlash against feminist ideas. As new issues arise we could move past this period of backlash and into another wave of feminist activism.

19. Feminism is Now: Fighting Modern Misogyny and the Myth of the Post-Feminist Era by Dr. Kimberly Fairchild • Dr. Kimberly Fairchild is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Manhattan College. She received her Masters degree from the College of New Jersey and her PhD from Rutgers University in the field of Psychology. Dr. Fairchild has done extensive research on sexuality and sexual harassment. During her professional career, Dr. Fairchild has authored more than 15 peer-reviewed articles and has presented her research at dozens of academic conferences.

20. Fairchild Continued • Answer to Research Question: Feminism has seen a decline in recent years because we have reverted back to more traditional standards as well as the perpetuation of the myth that feminism already achieved its goal and we are a gender equal society. • Strong Evidence: • Women make up nearly 57% of all new students accepted to college • Modern misogyny is a term Dr. Fairchild used meaning the practice of saying feminism has accomplished all of its goals and is now for man-haters and extremists • As of 2012 women made up only 8% of high level cabinet positions in the US government and that has plummeted even further • While the commonly cited stat that women make 78 cents for every dollar a man makes, this does not look just in the same professions; • minimum wage jobs are more likely to have pay parity while STEM field jobs have the fasting growing gender wage gap • Sub-claim: This source allows me to argue that one contributing factor to the decline in feminist activity is due to modern misogyny. Once addressing the perceptions issues feminism faces, more who agree with its ideals may be willing to join the cause and adopt the label of feminist.

21. NO SOURCES

22. After the Family Wage: Gender Equality and the Welfare State by Nancy Fraser • This source did not contribute to my research question because it did not focus on feminism since the early 1990’s. It looked more at the structure of the modern family and who is more likely to seek help from the state and why.

23. The Majority Finds its Past by Gerda Lerner • This source ended up a ‘No’ source because it already repeated information that I had about the different waves of feminism and the history of the feminist movement. It also only focuses on feminism in the 19th and 20th centuries and did not provide any information I hadn’t already gathered from other sources.

24. Attitudes Towards Women’s Familial Roles by Karen Mason and Yu-Hsia LU • This source did not work for this particular research paper because it focused on the period in history between the second and third wave of feminism (70’s-80’s).

25. Backlash: The Undeclared War Against Women by Susan Faludi • This source, much like the last one, is full of useful information on the feminist movement but focuses on the backlash between the second and third waves of feminism rather than on the state of feminism since the end of the third wave.

26. Four Decades of Trends in Attitudes Toward Family Issues in the US by Arland Thornton and Linda Young-DeMarco • This source is a ‘No’ source because it has too narrow a focus for this broader research paper. It focuses on public perception of women with families and the public perception regarding that rather than about the feminist movement as a whole.

27. Barbie and the Straight-to-DVD movie: pink post-feminist pedagogy by Karen Orr Vered and ChristeleMaizonniaux • This source focused on the correct time in the feminist movement but I felt it was a little to focused and specific for this research topic. It does look at how the Barbie straight-to-DVD reflect the backlash against feminism but doesn’t explore what is causing the backlash.

28. Post-Feminism Spectatorship and the Girl Effect by Sydney Calkin • This source did not focus on feminism mainly in the United States and this was one of the parameters that I placed on my research to keep it from being too broad and overwhelming.

29. Work Cited Page • Calkin, S. (2015). Post-Feminist Spectatorship and the Girl Effect:“Go ahead, really imagine her”. Third World Quarterly, 36(4), 654-669. • Fairchild, K. (2015). Feminism is Now: Fighting Modern Misogyny and the Myth of the Post-Feminist Era. • Faludi, S. (2009). Backlash: The undeclared war against American women. Broadway Books. • Fraser, N. (1994). After the family wage: Gender equity and the welfare state. Political theory, 22(4), 591-618. • Freedman, E. (2007). No turning back: The history of feminism and the future of women. Ballantine Books. • Gill, R. (2014). Unspeakable Inequalities: Post Feminism, Entrepreneurial Subjectivity, and the Repudiation of Sexism among Cultural Workers. Social Politics, 21(4), pp. 509-528. • Hall, E. J., & Rodriguez, M. S. (2001, December). The Myth of Post-feminism. SAGE Journal, 17(6), 878-902. • Lerner, G. (2005). The majority finds its past: Placing women in history. UNC Press Books. • Love, M. A. & Helmbrecht, B. M. (2007). Teaching the Conflicts: (Re)Engaging Students with Feminism in a Postfeminist World. Feminist Teacher 18(1), 41-58. University of Illinois Press.

30. Work Cited Page Continued • Mason, K. O., & Lu, Y. H. (1988). Attitudes toward women's familial roles: Changes in the United States, 1977-1985. Gender & Society, 2(1), 39-57. • Romack, K. (2011). Women's Studies in the "Post-Feminist" University. Feminist Formations 23(1), 235-256. The Johns Hopkins University Press. Retrieved March 15, 2017, from Project MUSE database. • Rosen, R. (2013). The world split open: How the modern women's movement changed America. Tantor eBooks. • Staggenborg, S., & Taylor, V. (2005). Whatever happened to the women's movement?. Mobilization: An International Quarterly, 10(1), 37-52. • Thornton, A., & Young‐DeMarco, L. (2001). Four decades of trends in attitudes toward family issues in the United States: The 1960s through the 1990s. Journal of marriage and family, 63(4), 1009-1037.