My thoughts on modern day feminism | Dr Ade van Heerden | TEDxGreshamPlace

Summary

The speaker addresses the evolution of feminism and its impact on women's mental health, challenging modern myths that portray women as victims and promote sexual promiscuity as empowerment. Highlighting statistics to counter these narratives, the talk encourages young women to recognize their inherent strength, education, and leadership abilities, advocating for self-respect and hard work as the path to true empowerment.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ The speaker expresses both excitement and apprehension about discussing feminism and mental health, highlighting the controversial nature of these topics.
• 📚 A brief history of feminism is provided, outlining the four waves starting from 1848, focusing on the evolution from fighting for basic rights to advocating for all minority groups.
• 🔑 The core essence of feminism is changing, with the fourth wave being more about identity politics and less about legal changes, often led by celebrities and social media rather than grassroots activism.
• 🚫 The speaker criticizes modern feminism for perpetuating myths about women being victims, which can negatively impact mental health by fostering a victim mentality.
• 📊 Statistics are cited to challenge the narrative that women are more victimized than men, emphasizing the need for a balanced view on gender-based violence.
• 🚫 The script criticizes the 'free the nipple' movement and sexual promiscuity as a means of empowerment, arguing that it leads to lower self-esteem and mental health issues.
• 💔 The rise in breast surgeries following sexual liberation movements is highlighted as evidence of women feeling pressured to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.
• 💪 The speaker emphasizes that true strength comes from honoring and respecting one's body, rather than seeking validation through sexual liberation.
• 👩‍💼 The script argues against the notion of women needing empowerment, stating that women are already powerful and capable, with statistics showing women's success in leadership and education.
• 🚀 The speaker encourages young women to recognize their inherent power, work hard, and strive for their goals without waiting for external empowerment.
• 🌟 The final message is one of positivity and resilience, urging women to stand firm in their greatness and to understand their worth and potential.

Q & A

What is the commonly accepted definition of feminism?

Feminism is commonly defined as the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of equality of the sexes.

How does the speaker describe their emotions before the talk on feminism and mental health?

The speaker describes having conflicting emotions of excitement to share ideas and a sense of vulnerability due to the controversial nature of the topics.

What are the key issues addressed in the first wave of feminism?

The first wave of feminism, starting in 1848, focused on women's basic control over their lives, the right to own property, abolishing slavery, and the right to vote.

What were the main goals of the second wave of feminism in the 1960s?

The second wave of feminism aimed to secure approval of the birth control pill, fight for anti-discrimination laws like equal pay for equal work, and legalize abortion within limits.

How does the speaker characterize the third wave of feminism?

The third wave continued to fight for reproductive rights, the gender pay gap, and sexual discrimination, but also saw the rise of a feminist 'kill all men' era, where musicians encouraged anger towards men.

What is the core message of the fourth wave of feminism according to the speaker?

The fourth wave, starting around 2012, is characterized by a broader fight for all minority groups, against racism, classism, and for the LGBTQ+ community, and is mainly led by celebrities and social media rather than grassroots activists.

What are the three myths about feminism that the speaker wants to address?

The three myths are: 1) Women are victims, 2) Sexual promiscuity is the only way to express control of one's body, and 3) Women need empowerment.

What statistics does the speaker provide to challenge the myth that women are victims?

The speaker cites statistics showing that in South Africa, the percentage of people experiencing violence or crime was 3.6% for women and 3.9% for men, and WHO data showing that men experience higher murder rates than women.

How does the speaker argue that the 'free the nipple' movement has had a negative impact on women's self-esteem?

The speaker points out that since the movement's launch, there has been a 30% increase in breast augmentation and designer nipple surgery, indicating that women are not feeling stronger or liberated but are instead altering their bodies to fit in.

What is the speaker's view on the concept of 'women empowerment'?

The speaker believes that the concept of 'women empowerment' implies a lack of power and suggests that women should recognize their inherent power and work hard to achieve their goals.

What message does the speaker want to convey to young girls about their identity and potential?

The speaker wants young girls to understand that they are not victims, they are powerful, they should honor and respect their bodies, and they have the potential to achieve greatness through hard work.

Outlines

00:00

🔹 Evolution of Feminism and Mental Health Impact

The speaker begins by expressing their mixed emotions about discussing feminism and mental health, acknowledging the controversy of these topics. They provide a brief history of feminism, starting with the first wave in 1848 at the Seneca Falls convention, highlighting the fight for property rights, suffrage, and the eventual granting of the right to vote in 1920. The second wave is noted for its focus on reproductive rights and anti-discrimination laws. The third wave is characterized by its continuation of these fights and the introduction of a more aggressive stance towards men, which the speaker finds concerning. The fourth wave, starting around 2012, is described as being led by celebrities and social media, with a shift towards advocating for all minority groups. The speaker criticizes this wave for promoting victimhood and myths about women's roles in society, which they believe negatively impacts mental health.

05:00

🚫 Challenging Feminist Myths on Victimhood and Sexual Liberation

This paragraph delves into the myths propagated by modern feminism that the speaker finds detrimental to women's mental health. The first myth discussed is the notion that women are inherently victims, which the speaker argues is not only inaccurate but also harmful as it fosters a victim mentality. They use South African crime statistics to argue that while violence is a concern, it is not gender-specific. The second myth addressed is the idea that sexual promiscuity equates to body empowerment. The speaker refutes this by citing a study that shows negative psychological effects of casual sexual encounters and criticizes movements like 'free the nipple' for promoting sexualization rather than liberation. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of body respect and self-esteem over sexual liberation.

10:00

💪 Redefining Women's Empowerment and Rejecting Victimhood

The speaker concludes by tackling the myth of women's need for empowerment, arguing that the term itself implies a lack of power. They present data showing women's achievements in leadership and education, challenging the notion that women are less capable or need to wait for opportunities. The speaker calls for a shift in perspective from seeking empowerment to recognizing and utilizing inherent power. They encourage young women to work hard, be resilient, and understand their worth, emphasizing that they are not victims but powerful beings capable of achieving greatness. The paragraph serves as a call to action for women to reject the fourth wave's messages of victimhood and instead embrace their strength and potential.

Keywords

💡Feminism

Feminism is a social, political, and cultural movement advocating for women's rights on the grounds of equality of the sexes. In the video, it is discussed through the lens of its historical waves, beginning with the fight for suffrage and evolving to include broader issues of gender equality and minority rights. The script critiques the fourth wave of feminism, suggesting it has deviated from the core advocacy for women's rights.

💡Mental Health

Mental health refers to a person's psychological and emotional well-being. The speaker expresses concern about how certain feminist narratives may negatively impact women's mental health, such as by promoting a victim mentality or unrealistic expectations of empowerment, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.

💡First Wave Feminism

The first wave of feminism is characterized by the fight for women's basic rights, including property ownership and suffrage. The Seneca Falls convention in 1848 is highlighted as a starting point, emphasizing the long struggle for the right to vote, which was eventually granted in 1920.

💡Second Wave Feminism

The second wave of feminism, which began in the 1960s, focused on securing reproductive rights, equal pay, and anti-discrimination laws. It is noted for making significant legal strides towards gender equality, as opposed to the third wave, which is criticized for making fewer legal advancements.

💡Third Wave Feminism

The third wave of feminism continued the fight for reproductive rights and addressed the gender pay gap and sexual discrimination. However, it is also associated with a 'riot grrrl' movement that encouraged women to express anger towards men, which the speaker finds problematic.

💡Fourth Wave Feminism

The fourth wave of feminism, starting around 2012, is described as broadening the scope of feminism to include all minority groups and issues such as racism, classism, and LGBTQ+ rights. It is criticized for being led more by celebrities and social media rather than grassroots activists, and for promoting narratives that may be detrimental to women's mental health.

💡Victim Mentality

The concept of a victim mentality is discussed as a harmful narrative that modern feminism may inadvertently promote, suggesting that women are inherently vulnerable and in constant danger. The speaker argues against this view, emphasizing that defining women by their victimhood undermines their strength and independence.

💡Sexual Liberation

Sexual liberation is presented as a concept that some feminists advocate as a means of expressing control over one's body. However, the speaker challenges this notion, citing studies that suggest casual sexual encounters can lead to lower self-esteem and psychological distress, and arguing that true strength comes from respecting and cherishing one's body.

💡Empowerment

Empowerment, particularly 'woman empowerment,' is discussed as a complex concept that the speaker believes has been misused. It is suggested that the term itself implies a lack of power, which can be disempowering. The speaker advocates for recognizing the inherent power women possess and focusing on providing equal opportunities rather than seeking external validation of empowerment.

💡Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence is a central theme in the video, with the speaker challenging the narrative that women are the sole victims of such violence. Statistics are cited to show that men also experience high levels of violence, and the speaker calls for a broader acknowledgment of the issue beyond a gendered perspective.

💡Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is mentioned in the context of the potential negative effects of certain feminist movements on women's psychological well-being. The speaker argues that movements promoting sexual liberation can lead to lowered self-esteem and dissatisfaction, and emphasizes the importance of honoring one's body as a source of strength and self-respect.

Highlights

Feminism is redefined as advocacy for women's rights on the grounds of equality of the sexes.

Mental health is defined in relation to a person's psychological and emotional state.

The speaker expresses excitement and vulnerability in discussing feminism and mental health.

A brief history of feminism is provided, starting with the first wave in 1848.

The second wave of feminism in the 1960s focused on reproductive rights and anti-discrimination laws.

The third wave of feminism continued the fight for gender equality but also included a backlash against men.

The fourth wave of feminism, starting around 2012, expanded the movement to include minority groups and social media activism.

The speaker criticizes radical feminists for selling myths about women's roles in society.

Myth 1: Women are taught to see themselves as victims, which can negatively impact mental health.

Statistical data is presented to challenge the narrative of women as the primary victims of violence.

Myth 2: The idea that sexual promiscuity is a form of empowerment is debunked with psychological evidence.

The 'Free the Nipple' movement is critiqued for its negative impact on women's self-esteem and body image.

Myth 3: The concept of women needing empowerment is challenged, emphasizing that women already possess power.

Evidence is provided that women are successful leaders and have been outpacing men in education.

The speaker calls for a shift from fighting for equality in outcomes to focusing on equality of opportunity.

The fourth wave of feminism is criticized for setting women back and contributing to mental health issues.

The speaker concludes by encouraging young women to recognize their inherent power and potential.

Transcripts

feminism commonly defined as the

advocacy of women's rights on the

grounds of equality of the sexes mental

health commonly defined as a person's

condition in relation to the

psychological and emotional state when

preparing for this talk I had a lot of

conflicting emotions on the one hand I

was extremely excited to share my ideas

around feminism and mental health with

all of you but on the other hand and to

be very honest I repeatedly keep keep

thinking that I must be absolutely crazy

to speak about not just one but two

controversial topics so this morning I

stand before you with a lot of bravery

and vulnerability and I asked for eight

minutes of your undivided attention now

because all of us here today are

Millennials I'd like us to deep dive

into the history of feminism just so

that we can have a solid foundation on

which we're going to build these

thought-provoking ideas the first wave

of feminism started in 1848 at the

Seneca Falls convention in New York City

woman wanted basic control of their

lives so they fought for the right to

own property abolish slavery and most

importantly at the time the right to

vote the suffrage movement continued for

72 years before women were actually

granted the right to vote in 1920 the

second wave started around the 1960s

when women fought for and secured the

approval of the birth control poll by

the FDA they also fought for anti 6

discrimination laws like equal pay for

equal work as well as abortion within

limits both the first and the second

wave of feminism made great legal

strides the third wave continued

to fight for reproductive rights the

gender pay gap and sexual discrimination

but something new was budding there was

a feminist ik musical area era where

musicians encouraged women to express

anger towards men and repeatedly told

them that they are victims of the

patriarchy unfortunately the third wave

made a lot less legal strides than the

waves that came before them today we

find ourselves in the fourth and final

wave that started around 2012 in my

opening statement I defined feminism as

the advocacy for women's rights but this

is no longer the case the core and the

essence of feminism is changing and they

are now fighting for all minority groups

against racism and classism and for the

LGBTQ ai+ community

this movement is mainly led by

celebrities and social media Twitter

warriors and much less by Geneon

activists who fighting for legal changes

you see I believe that radical feminists

are selling our young girls myths about

who we are as women and what our role in

society is and today on the one hand I

would like us to take a look at these

statements and the ripple effect that

they have on our mental health but on

the other hand I want to offer each and

every woman here today a different kind

of truth so let's jump into it the very

first myth that I'd like to speak about

is the fact that we are taught that

women are victims modern-day feminism is

teaching young girls that they are

vulnerable fragile and an imminent

danger feminists rage about gender-based

violence and how unsafe this world is

for women but let's pause a moment and

look at the statistics the percentage of

people who experience any form of

violence or crime during the years 2016

and 2017 in South Africa with 3.6

percent woman and 3.9 st. men the w-h-o

data show

that even though women experience five

times more higher murder rates than the

world average Maine still experienced

three times more than that of woman you

see there is no shortage of victims of

course but you do not but to define a

feministic movement by the undeniable

wounds that women have suffered and will

continue to suffer is an injustice

because it renders us weak independent

and childlike instead of independent and

resolute like most of the woman here

today

you see adopting this victim mentality

mindset around your gender is a very

slippery slope before we know it we're

going to have young women they feel that

they are victims in all areas of their

lives always feeling attacked always

shifting blame and always putting

themselves down in order to remain the

victim the human threat especially in

Africa is a constant but I think it is

important for us to acknowledge that

Maine experienced violence - we do not

solely have a gender-based violence

problem we have a gender-based violence

problem and Maine are victims too

da-jung girl I want you to hear the

truth

do not be afraid and do not be anxious

you were not born a victim of society

you're more educated strong and resolute

than ever before the second myth that I

would like us to look at is the fact

that sexual promiscuity is the only way

to express control of your body a

multi-campus study that was led by the

University of Miami's professor of

psychology Seth swats

stated that people who engaged in casual

sexual hookups reported lower levels of

self esteem life satisfaction and

happiness to such an extent that these

psychological

stress levels will equal two people who

were diagnosed with depression and

anxiety the hashtag free the nipple

movement on Instagram tells young woman

to bare their chests or barely cover

their breasts and by doing this they

sexually liberate themselves and kind of

stamp a mark that their strong woman

this hyper sexualized movement is

usually led by celebrities who might

genuinely feel empowered by the sexual

ization but isn't this ironic because

Hollywood is in tatters they have high

levels of broken marriages depression

suicide and drug addiction so let's take

a moment to pause and look at the

horrifying effect that this hashtag free

the nipple movement has had on woman

today something that shook me to my core

you see a movement that was created to

liberate and strengthen woman has done

the complete opposite ever since this

movement was launched breast

augmentation and designer nipple surgery

has increased by 30 percent

women are not feeling stronger or

liberated they are judging themselves

and changing their bodies in order to

fit in with a movement dear young girl I

want you to know the truth

sexual promiscuity is not going to make

you feel liberated or strong real

strength comes from honoring your body

respecting it cherishing it and not

putting yourself into situations that

make you feel sexually uncomfortable the

third and final myths that I would like

to address is the fact that women need

empowerment see power is very complex

thing but we need to acknowledge that it

is neither good nor bad and it's most

definitely not consigned to the sole

position of the patriarchy the term

woman empowerment already states that

women

do not have the power you see this woman

empowerment mentality is teaching young

girls that in order to achieve their

goals and their dreams they have to wait

for a handout or a leg up let's take a

look at the statistics women are as

equally good leaders and more educated

than Maine fact the McKinsey diversity

the McKinsey diversity report sure that

institutions who have more prominent

female leadership tended to do better

financially woman brought a different

dynamic to the environment by being

empathetic leaders encouraging teamwork

being good listeners and essentially

inspiring each individual to become the

base version of themselves on the

academic front women have been achieving

more bachelor degrees than Maine for the

past 30 years so where we lagging behind

and why are we still talking about women

empowerment yes unfortunately the top

seven percent of management the top

percentage on management women

management is only seven percent but

maybe is a time for us to stop fighting

for equality in outcome and focus on

equality of opportunity and teach young

girls that they should not fight for

their power but that they should realize

that they have power within them and if

they work hard and work relentlessly

they can achieve whatever they would

like to dear young girl I want you to

know the truth you do not need to be

empowered you are powerful beyond

measure life is tough work hard work

relentlessly and you can achieve your

goals so it is clear that feminism has

morphed over the past few years and

because I love being a woman and I

believe in the power of woman I can no

longer stand by

and watch how the fourth wave Satan sets

us back I could no longer stand by and

watch how fourth the fourth wave tells

young girls that they need to sexually

liberate themselves and be work in order

to be valid I can no longer stand by and

watch the fourth wave tell educated

woman that they need to wait around for

empowerment and I can no longer stand by

and watch the fourth wave make our young

girls mentally and healthy more

depressed and anxious than ever before

with lower self-esteem and less self

belief dear young girl I really want you

to know the truth about who you are as a

woman

stand firm because you were called for

greatness

work hard and know that you're brave and

resilient that your body is made to be

honored and respected and that you

harness great power within you thank you

you