Has there really been anything to MARK a third wave of feminism? Or are we still riding the curant of the 2nd wave?

Frankly, It is my belief (and you don't have to agree)that feminists really need to work on trying to get others to stop using the word "feminism" as a swear-word. I don't know if anyone else has encountered this, but it seems like many strong straight women I have come into contact with will rattle off everything that makes them a strong women ("I take kick boxing, I own my own company, etc etc etc") and then qualify themselves with, "Oh, but I'm not one of those feminist types."

Makes me want to jump up and down on the table shouting, "YES YOU ARE!!! IF YOU BELIEVE IN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SEXES, YES YOU DAMN WELL ARE!!!"

It seems the fear for some is that Feminism is linked connotativly with Lesbianism... "No dear, standing up for your rights does not make you a dyke." ::shakes head sadly:: And I thought men had issues being secure in their sexuality.

Don't even get me started on how much crap I've taken from some of my male collegues for taking a "Feminist Theory and Criticsm" class this semester. It's enough to make me want to bludgeon them with my text book. "See, now where in the definition of Feminism does it say anything about being a lesbian! NO where! And even if I were a lesbian, it STILL wouldn't change the definition you ignoramous!!!"

Sorry, didn't mean to vent too much, but you did ask.

::sheephish grin::

I agree whole heartedly Margo. As a guy I also get tired of hearing men trying to portray feminists as "anti-male". That's such a crock. I've even known quite a few guys who are social progressives who have this attitude. My question is how can you say you believe in social justice and NOT be a feminist? I think the RIGHT has done a good job of taking some of the extreme views of some fringe feminists and held them up as an example of mainstream feminism. They've also portrayed feminism as being much more homogeneous and static than it is.

One of things that has attracted me to the ideas of some 3rd wave feminists is that they have been addressing issues across the gender spectrum including male issues. Specifically the effects of partriarchy on the intolerance of "feminine" behavior in males. This is still one of many things that society still hasn't come to terms with. And it also has a strong connection to homophobia. Not to mention the often self-serving, aggresive, violent culture that some men are indoctrinated into that often values status seeking behavior ("alpha male") over caregiving, altruism, and emotional intimacy.