Toward a Third-Wave Feminist Legal Theory: Young Women, Pornography and the Praxis of Pleasure

Part I of this Article explores the general themes of third-wave feminist writings. The Article begins with an overview of third-wave feminist literature and its predominant concerns. These concerns are (1) dissatisfaction with earlier feminists; (2) the multiple nature of personal identity; (3) the joy of embracing traditional feminine appearance and attributes; (4) the centrality of sexual pleasure and sexual self-awareness; (5) the obstacles to economic empowerment; and (6) the social and cultural impact of media and technology. Textual analysis reveals third-wave feminists' reliance on non-legal tools for remedying gender inequality.

Although third-wave feminists acknowledge the law's role in women's historical advancement, they do not articulate a meaningful role for the law in achieving gender equality now or in the future. Their methods instead are (1) personal story-telling; (2) coalition building; and (3) harnessing and interpreting media.