What Is a Feminist Issue?

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine about the differences between first, second and third wave feminism, and how now, the third wave has branched out and become interconnected with other social movements, such as anti-globalization, third world representation and solidarity, gay rights, et cetera.

My friend raised an interesting question which I was at pains to answer. She asked: "So when is something a feminist issue, and when is it not?" There are plenty of issues which, while important, have little to do with women’s rights, or affect women about the same as they affect men. Below is a partial list of issues, so you can see what I mean:

-Animal Rights

-Anti-Scientology

-Atheist / Humanist / Nonreligious Activism

-Activism for Increased Regulation of Chemical Solvents that go into food, drinking water, household products, etc.

-Climate Change

-Culture Jamming

-The Deschooling/Unschooling movement

-Healthcare

-No Nukes

-Prison Reform

-The Slow Food Movement

These are just picked up off the top of my head. Some of these can have a feminist bent (I for one would like to see more feminist culture jamming) but some of them could not really be linked to the feminist movement (no nukes, for example).

So this is my question for you, which she asked me. Where do we draw the line between a feminist or women’s issue, and one that, while important, isn’t really feminist? Is it more like a gradation than a line? How do you see it?

Disclaimer: This post was written by a Feministing Community user and does not necessarily reflect the views of any Feministing columnist, editor, or executive director.

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