Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions based on the passage:
Feminism has made a journey through three principal waves, each one of them being shaped by the historical setting and the dominant social issues of that time. The first wave, which took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was primarily concerned with obtaining basic rights for women, such as the right to vote. Prominent leaders such as Susan B. Anthony advocated for political equality, representing a significant advancement in the movement for women's empowerment.
The second wave, during the 1960s and 1970s, broadened the movement to address workplace equality, reproductive rights, and sexual autonomy. Influential figures such as Betty Friedan questioned traditional gender roles and advocated for both societal and institutional reforms.
The third wave, beginning in the 1990s, worked to include more people by fixing problems from earlier movements, which often left out women of color, LGBTQ+ people, and women from working-class backgrounds. This stage focused on how different parts of a person's identity, like race, class, and gender, affect their experiences. Each stage of feminism shows how the movement has changed and keeps working for equal rights for all genders.
In what ways did feminism shift in focus and impact during each of its three waves?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The passage describes a clear evolution in the movement's scope:
First Wave (Late 19th/Early 20th Century): Focused on basic legal rights, specifically political equality and the right to vote (suffrage).
Second Wave (1960s and 1970s): Broadened the scope to social and institutional reforms, including workplace equality, reproductive rights, and questioning traditional gender roles.
Third Wave (Beginning in 1990s): Shifted toward identity and inclusivity, focusing on how race, class, and gender (intersectionality) affect experiences and addressing gaps left by previous movements.
Option ‘C’ is the correct answer.