All work and no (equal) pay

Our focus in class this week was on feminism, post feminism and photojournalism. This weeks blog post will be about Feminist jewellery and the impact that Feminism as a movement has had upon jewellery.

Who are Feminists?

One definition describes Feminists as "women who don't want to be treated like sh*t" (Gay 2012).Feminists are career driven and ambitious women. They earn their own money and can handle themselves without having to depend on others (Gay 2012, p. 88)

Feminism began with women fighting for equal rights as men. First Wave Feminism fought for women's suffrage, the vote and mobilisations for a series of reforms "in the areas of matrimonial law, property ownerships, child custody rights, work and educations opportunities, and government regulation of sexual morality" (Gay 2012) and Xinari 2010, p.8)

Feminism began in the 1830s and peaked during the 1860s and 1870s. The issue of women's suffrage (fought for by the suffragettes and suffragists) finally led to women gaining the vote in 1918 (albeit only for women over the age of 30 until 1928 when all women were permitted to vote) (Xinari 2010).

Poster replicas from the time have been used to create the items of jewellery below:

Feminist Suffragist quote cuff bracelet. Found online @ etsy

Feminist Suffragette pendant Votes for Women Mixed media jewellery piece. Found online @ etsy

The outbreak of World War I in 1914 led women into areas of social life as their work (particularly as nurses) was essential to helping out in the war effort (Xinari 2010). Similarly, during World War II (1939- 1945), women had to leave their homes and domestic spheres to take on the jobs that men no longer could do (Xinari 2010).
Propaganda posters were used to empower women into taking on these roles and responsibilities such as those replicated in the earrings below.




"We can do it" vintage WWII poster Rosie the riveter Feminist earrings. Found online @ etsy

Later on, during the 1960s and 1970s Feminism had matured and was attracting the interests of young women who wanted to enter and challenge male dominated societies (Xinari 2010)

Second Wave Feminism developed during this time, whereby women were becoming involved in "conscious raising".

 

"Marriage, child-rearing, the practice of sexuality, women's right to control her body (with which contracetons and the right to abortion directly related), as well as sexist language and the beauty myth are targeted b the theorists and the activists of what was terms Second Wave Feminism"

(Xinari 2010, p. 8)

In terms of beauty, feminism argues that a woman's worth is separate from her beauty (Xinari 2010), whereas Elizabeth Wurtzel (2012) states that "looking great is a matter of feminism. No liberated woman would misinterpret the cause by appearing less than hale and happy" (Gay 2012)

Many women might not classify themselves as 'Feminists' per say, but instead believe in, and support, equal rights.
Marrissa Mayer (CEO of Yahoo!) said:

"I don't think I would consider myself a feminist. I think that I certainly believe in equal rights, I believe that women are  just as capable, if not more so in a lot of different dimensions, but I don't , I think, have, sort of, the militant drive and the sort of, chip on the shoulder that sometimes comes with that. And I think its too bad, but I do think that feminism has become in many ways a more negative word"
(Gay 2012, p. 91)

Feminism is still a strong and current issue. Feminist women can adorn their bodies with jewellery as a statement that requires no verbal communication such as the necklace shown:




Feminist jewellery found on this blog (opheliasmonologue). Original image from Humans of New York (seen on the subway)



Another piece is shown below whereby the delicate and cursive writing of the word Feminism on the heart draws your attention in. The background is a scrunched up page from Vogue, in reference to the belief that women's magazines fuel women's desires to make themselves more beautiful/appealing. This contradicts the beliefs of Feminism and promotes Post-Feminism (Xinari 2010). Magazines and images from advertising (as feminists believe) encourages the supression of womens (and mens) self-confidence and fuels our consumerism (PinkStinks)
The badge can be found online @ etsy.

 

Some other pieces of jewellery portray the view of Feminists as a "killjoy Feminist", who (according to this vendor) is a humourless Feminist (WickedQueer). The vendor asks the customer:

 

"Do you stop watching television shows when they disrespectfully portray trans women? Did you tell your boyfriend he wasn't getting any until he paid for half of your birth control? Do you resent rape culture with every fiber of your being?"

 

(WickedQueer)

 

The piece is designed to stop people from making the stereotypical comments about the wearer as a Feminist and approaches the topic from a humorous perspective.

Found online @ etsy.

 



Feminist jewellery also depicts womanly features, such as the uterus. Perhaps from a distance the pieces might not be obvious. I quite like the silver and pearl pendant below.

Found online @ etsy

 

 

One that I believe is quite unattractive though is of a menstruation uterus womb. Is that really necessary? I do, however, think that they would be quite a funny conversation starter.

Found online @ etsy.

 

 

Feminist jewellery clearly has a current niche.

These pieces are designed to give women power to show their beliefs.

Feminism makes sense, why shouldn't women be equal? The stigma of being a 'Feminist' is perhaps misunderstood.

We should also appreciate the privileges that women currently have, rights that women like the suffragettes and suffragists fought for. If it wasn't for Feminism we would not be enjoying the postmodern lifestyles we have (Xinari 2010). If these pieces support the continuing fight then why not make a statement about your beliefs and rights?

However, I'm not sure I would wear menstruating uterus earrings but fair (equal) play to those who do.