Fourth-Wave Feminism,Political Dynasties & and other painful notions

     Ew, God forgive, that ever is true!

 Ask me if I'm a feminist, and I'll briskly exclaim a celebrated "Yes!". Indeed, I am an advocate of giving women all over the world a choice ; the ability to be independent bread-earners, whom are not stigmatised by the narrow perceptions of femininity imprinted on most people's minds. Yes, you can wear make up, dress is short skirts, and consume cocktails in a heartbeat if that is how you find comfort - that does not, under any circumstances, make you any less or more of a feminist. Certainly, feminists have always tried to provide a not-broad-enough definition for what makes you one of them and that is one of the reasons why such untruthful,  *profanity* idiotic notions were conceived.

 But, if what you're looking for is equality, why are you a feminist? a question that plagues my ears, for it perfectly indicates little understanding of the subject. Feminism, whose name only aims to raise consciousness about the fact that this is an attempt at ridding the female gender of any prejudice present, is about gender equality. Gender equality has come a long way since the first installment of feminism , which is a cause for glee, if anything else, but it still has a long way to come. Females are not a second gender, only born to serve men and assist them in their day-to-day issues, but humans on their own who deserve rights, and equality. Sexism is the form of discrimination that affects the largest percentage of humanity - 49.76% of it.

 Long way to come? Why is your post entitled "Fourth Wave Feminism"? I fear that all those waves of feminism are unnecessary. They only help in categorising feminists by their very particular beliefs of what feminism is, and that does not help when they all take part in a mutual cause. For me, Fourth Wave Feminism, a slightly sardonic title, is about making feminism about choice, and the individual female's perception of what she wants in her life, once again. It is about empowering the belief that who we are is more important than how we look. We've all changed society immensely, and when faced with new endeavors concerning our place in the workforce, the only way to cope is by being united. That translates to no spiritful debates over Lipstick Feminism (third-wave feminism) and whether it has objectified women or not,  because thus we miss the point. We could undeniably spend more time encouraging powerful women, who have chosen their lifestyles and have achieved a great political,economic,scientific or whatever-career status, as the norm and dismiss debating about a topic that will never settle - who the "truest" feminist is. 
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 On another point, I'm happy to be born in the first generation that has seen women have real political influence. More than ever before, sisters, daughters, wives, and any-remaning female relatives of political leaders are claiming top political jobs.

Click on the image for higher resolution.

 Source: The Economist


 While, all the women listed above got into political power due to their family members of the male gender, there certainly is an undertone of victory in the sense that those politically-oriented females have claimed the dynasty - not some other male relative. As stated above, I can't quite contemplate a recent-time period when I've observed such a thing. This newfound female political face does not only give hope to girls and women all around the globe that equality in the political workforce - and any other workforce - is finally rising, but also allows optimistic thoughts concerning better, different political regimes. I'll be honest, since my view seems romantisised at a first glance. I'm pretty certain most of them will not be better than previous political leaders, but some, if elected, can unavoidably broaden a tainted society's horizons. If that's not a great step for feminism, what is?

 Finally, and quite expectedly, the above chart gives me hope for a reformed society where I can pursue my life unaffected by notions invented before I was even born. It gives me , a self-claimed pessimist, a small assurance that maybe things will be alright, maybe I can hope for a future where I don't have to face discrimination on a daily basis. Maybe, just maybe, I can afford to smile at this sample of prosperity.