Winch, A. (2015)

Opportunity for dialogue between different feminist generations.
Questions raised at the ‘Sisterhoods and After’ conference (2013) included:
- Concern over appropriation of black feminists’ work by white feminists.
- Critique of focus on reproductive rights perceived as heteronormative.
Notable speakers included Beatrix Campbell, Lynne Segal, Gail Lewis, Jocelyn White, and Catherine Hall.
Issues discussed: race, class, sexuality, and ability.
Engagement of younger feminists with older, second-wave feminists.
Feminism seen as a vibrant conversation rather than a singular legacy.

Pre-2008 economic crash: emergence of feminist activism.
Post-crash: acceleration of movement due to governmental policies affecting women disproportionately.
- Example: More women than men losing jobs, especially in the public sector.
- Cuts to family benefits impacting women’s incomes, especially single mothers.
Online platforms providing spaces for anti-neoliberal feminist voices.
The internet exposing gender violence and misogyny explicitly.

A challenge in communications due to 'new class settlement’ as described by Ben Little.
- Generational differences fed by governmental manipulation and blame-shifting.
Withdrawal of state aid impacting young people negatively:
- Increased tuition fees, higher bedroom tax, decreased housing benefits.
Young people alienated from political processes, resulting in government neglect.
Discourse surrounding generational blame politicized, often overshadowing socioeconomic issues.
Intergenerational conflict interpreted as competition for limited resources, not substantive divisions.

Young women pressured into a ‘new sexual contract’ promoting individualism and entrepreneurial spirit.
Postfeminist culture framing feminism as obsolete and depicting gender equality as achieved.
A critique highlighting the commodification of feminism, focusing on privileged representations.
The superficiality of this contract leads to self-destructive outcomes for women as they age.

Use of familial metaphors complicating generational dialogue:
- Terms like ‘sisterhood’ overlook the nuances of marginalization within feminist movements.
- Media's framing of generational divides exacerbates tensions.
Critique of maternal metaphors used to delineate roles in the feminist movement.
Feminism historically linked with anti-capitalist and intersectional ideologies has been overshadowed by corporate narratives.

Emergence of feminists who align with corporate success narratives leading to a dilution of foundational feminist principles.
Pressured reliance on digital platforms for legitimacy and visibility in contemporary feminism.
Tensions between offline and online activism characterized by issues of funding and misogyny.

The rise of feminist online platforms like F-Word and Feministing engaging youth with feminism.
Expansion of transnational feminist solidarity yet alongside significant issues of resource access.
Online activism criticized for potentially perpetuating existing inequalities by favoring dominant narratives.
The challenge of sustaining feminist movements amid corporate dependence and financial scarcity.

Need for intergenerational dialogue to retrieve the history of collective feminist struggles.
Universities as sites for nurturing feminist discourse but increasingly influenced by neoliberal frameworks.
The opportunity for collaborations between academic institutions, activists, and NGOs enhances feminist discourse.

Emphasizing intersectional frameworks, recognizing diverse experiences to foster solidarity in feminist movements.
Recognizing economic disparities underpinning sexist behaviors that affect women of diverse backgrounds uniquely.
Acknowledging the significance of introspection within feminist disagreements to nurture growth and robust movements.