Family Values as Practiced by Feminist Parents: Bridging Third-Wave Feminism and Family Pluralism

The shift from second-wave feminism, with its emphasis on gender equality, to third-wave feminism, whose concern is with oppression more generally, poses intriguing questions about theoretical and social change. We have chosen to explore these issues through the insight and perspectives of families who parent from feminist perspectives. To gain information regarding the dynamics of feminist families we conducted in-depth interviews with all members of 20 self-identified feminist families, including two-parent families, single-parent families, gay and lesbian families, and so on. The families were selected because the parents identify with feminist principles broadly defined, that is, they are raising their children with a sense of equality for women. In exploring common themes, we find these feminist families go beyond nonsexist parenting to parenting that seems to enable their children to become conscious of and to challenge hierarchy and oppression generally. We suggest these parenting practices coincide with third-wave feminism.