Moran, Dunham, and Poehler and Fourth/Fifth Wave Feminism

      A first, second, and third wave of feminism are definite and accepted among most. A fourth and a fifth? Well, explained in past posts, the fourth wave is detailed to be prominent in today's technological and social media world. Although it is not as defined as the first, second and third, and may not always be agreed with, the "fourth wave" of feminism is made up of different types of activism, communication, and support than past waves. As social media and the internet takes up much more of peoples' time, especially women supposedly, there becomes a greater ability for discussion boards, online and call support systems, international communication, and online organization factors to develop. However, there is still question to whether boards, blogs, and online petitions make as much of a difference than rallies, public speeches, and protests. The supposed fifth wave of feminism is even more undefined and questionable. While the fourth wave is still booming with traces of the third, is it necessary to declare us in the beginning of the fifth wave. Caitlin Moran is rallying women to declare our generation as the beginning of a fifth wave of feminism. Most of Moran's motives for the fifth wave of feminism lay in the more personal and social norm aspect that affects women's images of themselves.

      As mentioned above, Caitlin Moran has focused on women's personal choices, image, social pressures, and self-consciousness within the fourth and fifth feminist movement with her book, How to be a Woman. Her proposal of the fifth wave of feminism presents issues in a loud and humorous manner so that feminists can be seen as "hot" and likable in their beliefs. Although she references serious choices such as abortion, her laughing and joking relevance obviously works best with topics such as facial hair. Fifth wave feminists should call themselves strident according to Moran. She pointed out that the word "feminist" in today's society has drawn out some negative connotations and has sometimes been replaced with weaker phrases such "girl power" which does sound girly and saucy like her feminist attitude, but it also takes away from the real meaning of feminism. Although I enjoyed her humorous writing, I noticed a few viewpoints that many others did not agree with. Throughout history, men have had important voices in the feminist movement. She made the comment that you are a feminist if you have lady parts and want to speak for them. Although this may have been one of her entertaining points, some readers may get the wrong picture either because she gives her specific opinions of because of her humor. 

      Lena Dunham has also captured audience with the use of humor when relating to feminist issues in Girls and her book Not That Kind Of Girl. However, her writing has a serious tone among lesser jokes. Dunham has taken stand for the sexual image and issues affecting women in the current fourth and fifth waves of feminism. Similar to Moran, she keeps in mind the "big picture" of pressures and self-consciousness of women. She discusses her personal experiences and relates them to younger women and others who struggle with finding the right times, wants, and thoughts about sexual relations. Targeted women in these pressures include college and high school girls who believe that they should be having sex and may not be ready for that step in life, girls who look for unhealthy sexual relationships because they feel weak, and women who are pressured by men. Dunham wrote about her first sex experience in college, many years after her fellow classmates which led her to make the decision at the wrong time. She believes that this wave truly fights identity and sex becoming one. Also similar to Moran, she believes that the normal image of a woman should be spread to everyone's vision in comparison to perfect and plastic models. Often self-criticism can lead to mistaken sexual behavior as someone wants another to compliment their image through attraction.

      Yes, Please by Amy Poehler explores what being a real woman is all about. Although the book details her life memoirs, Poehler's ideas about being a woman and feminism appear. Contrary to women in the historical past, Amy portrays herself to be a strong, independent woman who does not enjoy to be bothered by others. Although this may sound rude in the public eye, a greater understanding of per personality unravels throughout the reading. Many of her feminist values and beliefs are explained by famous quotes such as Eleanor Roosevelt's statement, "A woman is like a teabag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water." Her individualistic personality is very important in the current wave of feminism. Women are continuing to move away from the control and manipulation of others and making their own choices, such as Amy did throughout her acting career. Although a strong woman, she shows how women can be very dynamic characters, such as her love of the phrase "yes please." Showing respect, professionalism, and feeling like a "real woman" is combined with a willed and individualistic personality. In contrast to Moran's writing, Poehler discusses her love for men, and how that does not interfere with her feminist and gender respective views. This is a very important aspect in current society, because many compare the word "feminist" to man-haters, or something very radical such as women who want to take over the world. Without the acceptance of men's respect and support, the feminist movement would definitely not be as strong.