Third-Wave Feminism

[Page 1677]In the 1990s, the third wave of feminism began in the United States. Unlike the second wave of feminism, it emerged as something new, more inclusive, and including intersecting identities all under the umbrella of feminism. According to scholars, society is presently within the third wave, while some believe that there is now a fourth wave of feminism emerging. To fully understand the origination of third-wave feminism, this entry first introduces readers to first-wave and second-wave feminism. The foundations of third-wave feminism are then established. The entry concludes with a review of several of the components of third-wave feminism, often contrasting these beliefs with those held by second-wave feminists.