Empowerment, Oppression, or Something New?

In the relatively new publication Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture, author Ariel Levy investigates the “sudden popularity of phenomena such as pole dancing, vaginal ‘rejuvenation’ surgery, and ‘pasties’ . . . and . . . analyses [sic] women’s apparent willingness not just to accept this culture, but actively to participate in it” (Cochrane).  Although Levy’s obvious goal was to address what she saw as a new wave of female objectification and commodification, her ideas were met with mixed criticism. Kira Cochrane of The Guardian Unlimited scolds, “It is a pity [Levy] couldn’t have come up with the ‘perfect phrase,’ because one of the outcomes of her title has been an enthusiastic response from the American conservative right wing, clearly not her natural constituency.”  Lynne Segal, a second-wave feminist, retorts, “But for many young feminists . . . reclaiming and embracing female sexuality, after generations in which women weren’t allowed to admit to any sexual feelings or interest at all, has been a genuinely positive progression. Would Levy prefer that we return to the 1950s?” Finally, Deborah Segal offers Levy backhanded praise, calling her “Persuasive, but not entirely convincing.”

As indicated above Levy is but one part of a contentious group of voices that Rebecca Walker dubbed the “3^rd Wave” of feminism (“Becoming the 3^rd Wave”). To better understand how Levy is situated among those voices (and to question her theories further), you must do research beyond her. To begin your exploration, consider the following popular movements, sites, and texts: the sex-positive movement: e.g. CAKE (CAKENYC.com), Violet Blue (tinynibbles.com), and Ourpornourselves.org; “Power Feminism”: Katie Roiphe (c.f. The Morning After: Fear, Sex, and Feminism), Amy Richards and Jennifer Baumgardner (c.f. Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism, and the Future, and other writings), and Naomi Wolf (c.f. The Beauty Myth); and the Third Wave Foundation.

Your essay should do the following: question Levy’s claim that third-wave or “raunch” feminism, as she refers to it, is regressive: contributing to the sexual double standard and thereby acting to undermine progress that previous waves of feminism made in our country. To do this, you may choose to continue a vein of research begun in a particular chapter of Levy’s book or more fully analyze an angle present throughout FCP.  In either case, you must draw extensively from Levy’s book, incorporate other research beyond it, and build a theory of your own that reacts to Levy’s.

In order to make a convincing argument, your paper must contain a thesis which has been well-explored (including counter-arguments) and well-supported by reasons and evidence. Your audience expects to read logical arguments that do not fall prey to any of the common logical fallacies (this is especially important because of the nature of the topic, which tends to draw out personal, emotional, and moral responses).

**Your paper should be clearly organized, cohesive, and written in language that fits its purpose. All references to the texts should be properly documented in MLA.

** The final draft of this paper must be between six and eight pages in length. A Works Cited is required and counts toward your page length and your grade.