Communicating third-wave feminism and new social movements: challenges for the next century of feminist endeavor

Abstract

This article explores the various definitions of third-wave feminism emerging in the U.S. in an effort to facilitate feminist theoretical engagement with theories and strategies characteristic of this area of thought. The article distinguishes key differences among ideas labeled 'third-wave' feminism, arguing that some are more useful for feminist theory building than others. The article also considers how third-wave feminist ideas may be understood as distinctive of new social movement organization. I argue that feminists must not be mislead by simplistic popular media constructions of third-wave feminism, but should consider uses emerging in other national contexts for more productive theory building. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT].