What do you think are the characteristics of the Third Wave? Would you consider yourself to be a Third Wave feminist? Why or why not?

What do you think are the characteristics of the Third Wave? Would you consider yourself to be a Third Wave feminist? Why or why not?

There are several new characteristics of Third Wave Feminists. Third Wavers believed that feminists should have the right to choose which issue they wanted to fight for. Therefore, many saw this wave as unorganized and not unified. Another trait of the third wave was the fact alone that the wave was indefinable. Some questioned whether it was actually a moment or not. Many criticized the wave as not being political enough and that the feminists involved lacked focus. In reality, the Third Wave was all about individual empowerment. They embraced the lack of constraints. Another important feature of the Third Wave Feminists was their acceptance of girlie culture. Basically, the wave said that it was ok to where heels, makeup, and be a girlie woman, unlike the previous waves that tended to take on masculine traits. In addition to this, sexuality, power, and your body were three big focuses of the Third Wave. Feminists reclaimed their sexuality and were accepting of lesbianism and bisexuality. Their power was gained in their ability to individually empower themselves and center their attention of issues most important to themselves. Finally, the issue of the body and what is meant to respect yourself and others was a key issue. Abortion, rape, media’s affect on women, and several other problems were made the primary concerns of the Third Wave Feminists. A group called the radical cheerleaders took on the responsibility of protesting in a bold form (dressed in outlandish clothes with homemade pompoms) in protesting the previously stated issues. Overall, the Third Wave had several unique characteristic that took on different issues in exceptionally diverse ways.
After understanding what the Third Wave was all about I would consider myself a Third Wave Feminists. Critiques say that the wave was a generational issue, only including people for generation X and Y (1966-1996). Maybe because I fall within that bracket and I grew up in a society that was accepting of the Third Wavers I am more biased toward accepting the wave. Whatever may be the cause, I like the Third Wave’s mentality toward individualism. Previous waves have mostly been about “Here is the issue and now you must all work to fight it”. I enjoy the right to choose what issues are most important to me and the fact that I can be a girlie girl and still consider myself a feminist. It’s about time that we took a stand against media’s devastation affects on women and the true image of female. On the issue of sexuality too, for decades we have all had the same nagging questions about intimacy but it was never acceptable to talk of such things. Now it’s ok to come out and say you are not a homosexual or ask questions about the nature of sex. Finally, a wave has come about where all are welcome to be feminists and fight for their own subject matters. It sure took long enough. Our country was founded on the principles of freedom and finally our society has come to terms with that liberty.