Thrid Wave Feminism

The characteristics of third wave feminism vary from the first and second wave but also have some similarities involved. One of the main characteristics that this wave represents is individualism. It allows women to represent themselves through writing, thinking, and activism. Most of the issues third wave activists tend to focus on is sexuality and identity. They create consciousness-raising groups to promote issues and create power to society.
Individuality, to third wave feminists, means that whatever matters to you is most important. That is, the subjects and issues you believe in should be your main focus. In regards to power, if you are considered in the lower class of society than your main focus is not on individualism and power or what sexuality and power really mean because of where they stand with society. On the other hand, wealthy activists focused their issues on the characteristics of sexuality and intersectionality. What this meant was that the focus was on inclusion and diversity of women, corporeality (the experience of the body), and reclaiming what they had lost in the past. Another controversial characteristic was the focus of women in the third wave representing “girly” culture. This meant that women would walk around wearing lipstick and high heels but first and second wave feminists saw this as negative. Third wave feminists wanted to recognize themselves as part of a girlie culture because they wanted society to know that there is nothing wrong with being a woman. In addition to the girlie culture of third wavers, there was the importance of the rejection of victim hood. Third wave feminists would talk about women as being survivors instead of victims. Overall these were the main characteristics of third wave feminism and how they approached and embraced their power.