The Basics of Feminism and Where Fat Feminism Came From

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Women fighting for fair treatment have been around for centuries; arguably since the time of the ancient Greeks (Rampton). The female poet Sappho has been a powerful symbol of the feminist movement. Her homoerotic poetry and her teachings about sexuality inspired women to carve out their place in the world (Roach). Sappho became one of the greatest poets in a time when women’s rights were practically nonexistent (Roach). It was not until the late 19^th century that feminism that became a clear cut movement.

The feminist movement is typically summed up in three stages. First wave feminism began in the late 1800’s into the early 1900’s (Rampton). Suffrage was the main platform and the first wave of feminism officially started at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 (Rampton). Three-hundred men and women supported Elizabeth Cady Stanton who wrote the Seneca Falls Declaration describing feminism’s ideology and their goal of reaching equality for all women (Rampton). These women were challenging America’s traditional view of women by leaving the “cult of domesticity” for the political sphere (Rampton). As a result of women joining men in politics and in other fields, the question of what the real differences are between men and women (Rampton).

Second-wave feminism emerged in the late 1960’s stemming from the civil rights movement and continued up until the 1990’s (Rampton). During the second wave, the platform changed from suffrage to reproductive rights and sexuality (Rampton). In the 1970’s, feminists became much more radical in their protesting (Feminism in Waves). It was during this time that the National Organization of Women (NOW) was formed and Roe vs. Wade was ruled on (Feminism in Waves).

Fat feminism is a subset of the second wave feminist movement. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s when women like Twiggy were becoming an ideal for female beauty, the Fat Liberation Manifesto was published by Fishman and Freespirit which linked fat-shaming to sexism (Fat Feminism). However fat feminism was unable to reach mainstream media and was unsupported by NOW which led to the founding of groups such as NAAFA (Fat Feminism). In the 1980’s, the fat feminist movement struggled against the dieting craze that had become so popular. By the 90’s, NOW was officially supporting fat-positivity and with the help of “zine” culture, fat acceptance grew more popular among feminists (Fat Feminism).

Third wave feminism started in the 1990’s and continues today. Gender and sexuality has become a complex issue and feminist have challenged society’s traditional view of these subjects (Rampton). This wave has also become much more inclusive of all different types of women from all different backgrounds (Third-wave Feminism). During this phase, some women have reclaimed femininity from the patriarchy and wear dresses, heels, and makeup not for men, but for themselves (Rampton). Third wave feminism has become incredibly complex and even the definition of what a woman is a far from simple answer (Rampton). Professor Martha Rampton said it best; “Third-wave feminism breaks boundaries.”

Works Cited

“Fat Feminism.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Jan. 2013. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.

 “Feminism in Waves: A Brief Overview of the First, Second and Third Wave.” Yahoo! Voices. Yahoo! Inc., 01 Oct. 2007. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.

Rampton, Martha. "The Three Waves of Feminism." Pacific. Pacific University, Fall 2008. Web. 19 Jan. 2013.

Roach, Carol. "Sappho: Feminist Icon and One of the Greatest Poets of All Time." Gather. Gather Inc., 20 Nov. 2010. Web. 19 Jan. 2013.

“Third-wave Feminism.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Jan. 2013. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.