post-feminist
UK[ˌpəʊst ˈfemɪnɪst]US[ˌpoʊst ˈfemɪnɪst]
adj
Relating to or characteristic of a period or movement after the height of feminism, often questioning or moving beyond its earlier assumptions.
n
A person who holds or advocates for post-feminist ideas.
Morpheme Breakdown
post
feminist
post
after
feminist
advocate of feminism
Etymology
The term is a modern compound, constructed in English during the late 20th century. The prefix 'post-', directly from Latin, establishes a temporal relationship of coming after. It is attached to 'feminist', a word derived from Latin 'femina' (woman) via French, combined with the Greek-derived suffix '-ist' denoting an adherent to a doctrine. Literally meaning "after the feminist," the term does not imply opposition but rather a chronological and conceptual development beyond the core agendas of second-wave feminism, reflecting evolving debates about gender, equality, and societal structures.
Analysis
Structure: post (after) + feminist (advocate of feminism)
- post: Latin origin, from 'post' meaning "after, behind". Functions as a prefix indicating subsequence in time or order.
- feminist: English origin, from the base 'femin-' (woman) + the agent noun suffix '-ist'. Functions as the core noun/adjective modified by the prefix.
Examples
The article analyzed post-feminist attitudes in contemporary popular culture.
She identifies as a post-feminist, focusing on individual choice rather than collective political struggle.
The film was praised for its post-feminist critique of traditional gender roles.