18.2a Waves of Femenism

Question 1

First Wave: The roots of feminism

Answer 1

First wave liberal feminists’ demanded equal rights on the enlightenment principle that they were human beings and it was not rational for them to be denied this.

The emphasis was on individualism as the basis for gender equality.

Question 2

First Wave: First wave literature

Answer 2

Mary Wollstonecraft argued for an equal right to a good education and a professional career, later reinforced by Charlotte Gilman, who attacked the “slavery” of housework.

John Stuart Mill advocated the same foundational rights for everyone, which should not be based on ‘accidents of birth’.

Question 3

First Wave: Suffragettes

Answer 3

The suffragists and later the suffragettes e.g. Emmeline Pankhust campaigned for and won the right to vote.

This emphasises the dominance of liberal feminism in the first wave.

Question 4

Second Wave: Feminism resurfaces

Answer 4

The second wave arose in the 1960s, as evidenced by the Women’s Liberation Movement.

In spite of legal and political reforms, these feminists argued discrimination against women continued.

It moved feminist demands for change into the social and personal sphere.

Question 5

Second Wave: Impact

Answer 5

Second-wave liberal feminists achieved Equal Pay Acts, changed abortion laws and continue to push for equality in all spheres.
Today’s focus for reform is often on more women achieving higher positions in politics, business and other professions.
Evidence of a continuing pay gap and unequal representation of women in these professions still dominates feminist movements.