Why Postfeminism? and more random updates

Sarah asked a good question that I don't think I can adequately answer, but I will try :) She asked why postfeminism is needed as a term or belief system when feminism still exists. I think this question perhaps makes even more sense if the post in postfeminism is amplified, in that it comes after feminism, and perhaps marks the premature notion of the death of feminism. But, if we ignore that, and perhaps even bring in the term third wave feminism, in which feminism's aims are seen generationally and to reflect different challenges and goals of women, then maybe postfeminism as a term makes sense?

Susannah Breslin reflects this idea when she says, "For women born in 1968, like myself, feminism does not, cannot, and will not be of the same relevance or meaning to me as it was to my mother who took part. Simply generationally, we are postfeminist." (http://www.altx.com/EBR/BRESLIN.HTM)

I find this explanation, however, to be lacking, that postfeminism is just "not my mother's feminism." Especially because the aims of feminism haven't all been met, nor is the political aspect of feminism "dead."

On the otherhand, I don't agree that "postfeminism doesn't exist" just because feminism still exists. But, why do we need both terms? At "Ask Amy" http://www.feminist.com/askamy/feminism/fem185.html, the writer advises that she thinks it is premature to discuss postfeminism because feminism still exists.

So lots of definition problems, even the problem of why we even need the term!

I was more interested in the fact that postfeminism is being discussed, and perhaps could be a neat twist on the feminist discussions in composition theory that perhaps naively, I didn't consider why postfeminism exists or should exist. I mentioned that I found it useful in a classroom situation because it got students interested in feminism in a sneaky way, in an earlier post. That is one practical consideration, but I don't think really answers Sarah's question, either.

I just got a book on postfeminism as an aspect of postmodernism, and so I want to read this because I think from an academic perspective, this has more promise than the political debate pitting feminism/postfeminism. Maybe it might get to a closer answer to Sarah's question!

Anyway, this week I am tired! I think I mentioned that students turned in their midterm essays/exams...meaning lots of grading for me. This week I am hosting transformative learning podcasts on the subject women and transformative learning...meaning less time for grading for me. I was so exhausted this week that I barely watched television and then Friday night I watched a bunch of shows on the internet. Such a hard life, I know.