What is Feminism? Why Do We Need it? and Other Big Questions

2016 | Children

What is feminism? Why do we need it? Where does it come from? Why does it exist? The word 'feminism' is bandied about a lot in the media, often with little or no explanation as to what it means. What is Feminism? aims to combat this, it's a brilliant introduction for children to the movement, looking at the history of feminism, what it is today and its enormous relevance to young people. Divided into sections such as Work and Money, Politics and Power, Media, Education, Family and Bodies, the book looks at how feminism, and the feminist movement, have affected each area in turn through history, and at the issues they are working to combat today. It also presents key figures in the fight for equal rights, from the Pankhursts to Germaine Greer and Malala Yousafzai, and looks at modern initiatives such as Emma Watson's He for She campaign. It then goes on to explain why we still need feminism, how women are portrayed by the media, how advertising and airbrushing affect body image, and how the gender pay gap is still very much in existence.

As such, it is a vital tool for children in the process of figuring out the world and how it works, and informs and explains gently, without sensation or scaremongering. Prominent feminists, such as Radio 1 DJ Gemma Cairney and Chief Executive of Girlguiding UK Julie Bentley, offer contributions explaining why they are feminists, and what feminism means to them, giving the book a human angle, as well as a political one. This is a book for girls and boys - it explains why feminism, and equal rights for all, benefit men as well as women, and that feminism is not about the promotion of women's rights at the expense of men's. Part of the groundbreaking and important 'And Other Big Questions' series, which offers balanced and considered views on the big issues we face in the world we live in today. Other titles in the series include: What is Humanism? How do you live without a god? Who are Refugees and Migrants? What Makes People Leave their Homes?

Louise Spilsbury (Author)

Bea Appleby (Author)