News
Analysis: Why Feminism Remains a Contentious and Misunderstood Term in Australia
Two new books examine why feminism remains contentious in Australia, citing media complicity, internal divisions, and patriarchal pushback. The books, *Unfinished Revolution: The Feminist Fightback* and *Feminism, Defeated*, reach different conclusions, but both suggest feminism is far from dead and still has much to strive for.
Two recent books, *Unfinished Revolution: The Feminist Fightback* by Virginia Haussegger, and *Feminism, Defeated* by Kate Phelan, explore why feminism remains a misunderstood and feared term. Traditional opponents of feminism have successfully promoted negative images of the movement. According to *The Sydney Morning Herald*, the media is complicit in discrediting feminism, often depicting only its extremes. Haussegger's book explores second-wave feminism in Australia from 1975 to the present, highlighting key players and the movement's evolution. She admits the movement alienated potential supporters along lines of race, gender, and social class, divisions that persist today. Internal conflicts and a lack of hierarchical structure have also hampered the feminist movement.
Key Facts
- Two new books analyze the reasons for the negative perceptions of feminism in Australia.
- Traditional opponents have successfully promoted negative images of the feminist movement.
- The media is complicit in discrediting feminism by portraying its extremes.
- *Unfinished Revolution* explores second-wave feminism in Australia from 1975 to the present.
- The feminist movement has been hampered by internal conflicts and a lack of cohesion.
- Haussegger admits that the movement alienated potential supporters along lines of race, gender and social class.
- The persistence of patriarchy and a backlash from those unsettled by the successes of feminism also contribute to the negative perceptions.
Primary Source
Research Sources
- The Sydney Morning Herald — Why are people still scared of the word feminist?