How can we make younger women see how feminism is relevant to them?

56 replies

sunshineandfreedom · 20/07/2012 10:32

I?ve been talking with a lot of my female friends about this over the past couple of weeks and they all think ?a book?, but I wanted wider opinions.

There have been some amazing books on feminism in today?s world that have come out over the past couple of years, but very little aimed at anyone younger than 23 or so (in my opinion, that is).

My generation and those coming after us are growing up being told (wrongly) that feminism is over. I don?t need to tell you about the negative messages and stereotypes society puts forward about feminism, as I?m already preaching to the choir here. My point is, though there are a lot of awesome blogs etc out there that are vibrant and useful, is there a need for something that spells it out to these young women? I know a lot of teenagers and young 20-somethings that agree with all the basic feminist principles but don?t want the label of ?feminist? attached to them and don?t feel confident enough in these principles stand up for them more vocally.

Of course there are some amazing young women who buck this trend but they are vastly in the minority.

I don?t know whether a book would be the best way to do it, though most that I?ve asked this it?s one of the more obvious ways. If you?re 22+ there are some fantastic books and information that we can identify with, but I think there?s definitely a gap in the market for something that spells out, in a friendly and non-patronising way, exactly why it?s okay to call yourself a feminist, why ?the battle isn?t won? etc. to these new generations who are growing up in a world where if anything in certain areas we?re actually sliding backwards...

I?m asking for your thoughts as I?m finding it hard to pin down what exactly would be the best way of going about this and wanted to garner opinions. I realise that this is a HUGE subject, and I have to go do some actual day-job work now, so forgive me if I don?t get back to the thread as soon as I might like!

Thanks

OP posts:

namechangeguy · 20/07/2012 15:12

Perhaps start by asking why they feel it isn't relevant.

MooncupGoddess · 20/07/2012 14:33

And yes totally to lastnerve's point about countries where women don't have basic freedoms/opportunities. An international perspective is really valuable and makes people realise how fragile women's advances are.

MooncupGoddess · 20/07/2012 14:33

I think that identifying as a feminist is a secondary point, to some extent - of course I wish all women identified as feminists but if women stand up for themselves, don't let men get away with things on the grounds of their sex, expect equality in the home, fight gender stereotypes, feel able to be ambitious etc etc then that is much of the battle won.

The problem is that it is so easy to be ground down by societal pressures without noticing, particularly when it comes to stereotyping, double standards, objectification of women etc etc. And feminism is a good way of gathering opposition to all of these problems under one roof.

Actually the fact that life is better for women now than it was 40 years ago should be an argument in support of feminism - since it is feminism that brought about the changes. So maybe we need more history so that young people understand which battles were (mostly) won in the 1960s and 1970s, and which are still being fought today?

lastnerve · 20/07/2012 14:31

I'm a young person (early 20's) perhaps also focusing on countries that are not very progressive is a good idea. It shocked me to find out about countries where even basic equality isn't met.

Original poster

sunshineandfreedom · 20/07/2012 14:25

Their argument being that life for women is better now than it was in their youth, they are in their 50's.

That's what I heard a lot of growing up.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

OP posts:

kellestar · 20/07/2012 11:23

I wish there was a book tbh for the 14+ age group. I get all tongue-tied sometimes trying to get my feelings across to this age group. I've taken a break but I used to be a Guide Leader and trialled a resource quite a few years ago for HQ that tackled the feminism topic [it never went on to being issued though] and feedback was mixed, I thought it was dumbed down a fair bit, but was probably a good starting block to introduce them to the subject and they could expand their interest by reading further.

The other leaders thought it was irrelevant to the youth of today. Their argument being that life for women is better now than it was in their youth, they are in their 50's. I don't think they realise that it's completely different and they don't understand the new media [internet] and how it affects the Guides now.

The struggle I think was making it relevant to them and I think being able to discuss it in a group is a good thing, but it was hard with me being in my early twenties and the other leaders being in their 50's to try and make it relevant without being patronising. Peer to Peer education is brilliant and have seen it work really well and it opens up the chances for discussion.

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