Feminism, Intersectionality, and the Youth

Feminism, Intersectionality, and the Youth

 

            Feminism has been a topic of conversation that has held immense weight since it’s introduction into society. Adults often have complex beliefs surrounding feminism and more often than not, that makes a complex topic of discussion. However, I believe feminism can be just as easily explained and discussed as any other subject. Gender roles, typically, can be traced down to the very beginning of childhood and are reinforced throughout every phase of one’s adult life. The question is, can feminism be seen from early childhood as well?

 

            From my own personal experiences, growing up there was always an endless tug of war between girls v. boys. The girls versus boys’ struggle and the phrases that came with it such as “girls rules boys drool” etc. are interesting facets of child behavior in terms of gender competition. These things do not represent any specific aspect of feminism but are demonstrative of the ways in which there was a sense of gender alliance, even as children. It’s difficult to specifically classify any of that as correlating with modern feminism seeing as gender is a spectrum that does not revolve around cisgender discourses. However, the push-pull of competition does show that even in childhood there is a power struggle that can be noted. 

 

            Let’s talk about feminism, specifically intersectional feminism. Feminism has been given a bad reputation for decades depending on what side of the narrative you perceive it from. Feminism has seen many different stages at different points in time, for example, the early 1900s revolve around liberal feminist views which focus more on equal rights under the law. Voting is a primary example of liberal feminism and how it focuses mainly on the legal parts of the women’s rights struggle. Then came the era of second-wave feminism, as stated by Tara Anand in “A Brief Summary Of The Second Wave Of Feminism,” which surrounded many different issues such as birth control, domestic violence, etc. were brought to the table at this time and it reflected women coming out of the domesticated life and into workplaces that were once “not for women.” This era was the start of early radical feminism which followed the idea that if women were to uplift themselves socially, they needed to do it independently from men. 

 

            Eventually, the third wave of feminism developed the radical feminist perspective and eventually grew into intersectional feminism. Intersectional feminism has a daunting title but, as developed by Kimberlee Crenshaw and furthered by bell hooks, it reflects the idea that everyone has privileges and oppressions that can intersect. To put it simply, we all have characteristics that are to our advantage in society just as we might have disadvantages. For example, being white, heterosexual, male, able-bodied, or wealthy are considered privileges in society no matter which ones you identify with. Those of which you do not identify with, which can be all of them, are seen as the oppressions you encounter at different levels. 

            

            Teaching young children about the ways that intersectional feminism operates in their lives, simply, can create an entirely new perspective for them to have at a young age and develop as they grow into adulthood. Intersectional approaches to feminism are not discussed as often as it should in regular conversation about feminism and as opposed to liberal or radical feminism which can give feminism an “outdated” label. Being able to openly discuss these perspectives outside of scholarly discourse would be immensely beneficial to altering stereotypical norms for feminism.

Reference:

https://feminisminindia.com/2018/04/25/summary-second-wave-of-feminism/

https://www.ted.com/speakers/kimberle_crenshaw