26 February 2014updated 28 Jun 2021 4:45am

Kicking against our foremothers: does feminism have an ageism problem?

Older women and their concerns are often ignored by the media. Is the feminist movement guilty of the same thing?

(Photo By A mother and daughter walk to school. (Photo: Getty))

In a culture that routinely erases and dismisses the older woman, what are we to make of a feminist movement that can be so contemptuous of our foremothers?

Stereotypes about second wave feminists abound — they are “stuck in the past,” “anti-sex,” dowdy, no-fun bra-burners. “That’s so second-wave” is not perceived as a compliment among many younger feminists. The problem with these sweeping accusations is not just that they are untrue, but that they are sexist.