The Three Dynamic Periods Of The Feminist Movement

Feminism as a political, socioeconomic, and cultural movement validating the lives of women has transformed tremendously since its inception in the early 19th century. The movement transcend three dynamic periods or ‘waves’ beginning in 1831 to today that have each helped to shape and define a, “multifaceted, nuanced, complex, and often contentious (Swigonski and Raheim, p.11)” activism that continues to consume feminists, scholars, politicians, and detractors alike. Caroline Dorey-Stein (2015) chronicles three distinct feminist periods the first beginning in the 1830’s and ending in the early 1900 that she explained ignited and movement with a focus on the women’s fight for equal contract and property rights; the second wave, dated from
Feminists have been fighting for equality socially, economically, and politically for years. During the first wave of the women’s movement dated between the 1830’sthrough the early 1900’s, Elizabeth Stanton and Lucretia Mott spearheaded and fought for women’s rights at the Seneca Falls Convention, were a declaration of sentiments and resolutions were made (Stanton & Anthony, 1948). This was one of the most important documents crafted to advocate for and ignite the women’s rights movement. It directly addressed voting rights and reform laws that governed marital status. Women understood that the importance of gaining political power and the right to their property as a major precursors to the change they desired. However, there were mixed feelings as a result. Many felt that women were being ridiculous, and were criticized by the newspapers (Trenkle, 2009). Today we still see this happening. People often mistaken the definition of feminism with their own biases and stereotypes. So many people just think feminists are women that hate men, do not shave, or think men cannot be feminists themselves. Feminists often get criticized for fighting for what they deserve, and it is one of their biggest problems they face