Types of feminists

Liberal Feminism

Liberal feminists apply the principles of liberalism to the position of women in society. It is primarily associated with women’s right to vote. It includes core ideas of

• Individualism: women should be autonomous individuals within society.

• Equality of opportunity: women have equal chances with men to rise and fall within society.

• Discrimination: women are discriminated against rather than oppressed.

• Legal equality: women are legally equal to men.

• Political equality: women have the same voting rights as men.

The liberal thinker Betty Friedan and her book The Feminine Mystique discuss the idea of women questioning their role within society, as they could not vote and did not have the same opportunities in life as men. She fought for the ideas of liberal feminism so that women could have the chance to make the best life that they could.

Socialist Feminism

Socialist feminism is characterised by the belief that women’s disadvantages can be explained by economics. Oppression occurs through the family structure, which ensures men pass property to their sons. Under capitalism, women work for free in the home, reproduce children and care for their husbands who are the workers. Eradicating capitalism would allow women to fulfil their lives.

Radical Feminism

Society is a patriarchal institution, and the biggest problem facing society is gender inequality and the lack of progress with regard to women’s rights. It cannot be removed through adaptation and reform; there must be a sexual revolution in order to remove patriarchy and bring about true gender equality. Many radical feminists have written about different areas of women’s rights and life, including Kate Millett about women in literature, Simone de Beauvoir about sex and gender, and Susan Brownmiller about rape.

Post-modern feminism

Patriarchy is pervasive and it adapts to social class, ethnicity and religion; it is not simple to understand and takes different forms. Gender roles are forced upon women by society, but again differ with class, ethnicity and religion. The idea of post-modern feminism links with intersectionality, and recognises that the struggles experienced by white, middle-class women differs from black, working-class women for example. Women are able to define feminism for themselves, as ultimately it leads to more awareness of and action towards gender equality.