Exploring the rift: An intergenerational dialogue about feminism

Four psychologists, two "older" faculty members and two "younger" students, met to discuss their perspectives on contemporary feminism. The dialogue w as intended to give the older feminists an opportunity to listen to their y ounger colleagues. A consciousness-raising group format with some planned q uestions was used. The report focuses on the younger women's thoughts and e xperiences. Among the topics touched on are: stereotypes of feminism, divis ions among feminists, women's sexuality, political activism, sexual harassm ent, speaking out in graduate school, feminism in popular culture, and coll aboration among feminists. The younger feminists articulated the need for m ore mentoring and support and questioned whether older feminists have been willing to see the goals and values of feminism adapted to keep pace with e ver-changing societal contexts.