Feminist Theory;

Feminist Theory; Feminism Defined; What follows are different branches of feminism theory that are recognised by feminists and feminist scholars. These different theories of feminism are widely acknowledged and taught in women’s studies courses, gender, gender studies courses, and the like. Often people have created their own definitions of feminism to best suit them. The definitions here theoretical, and are an example of the diversity among feminists. Why one believes in feminism and what their ideas are to make feminism a reality is the primary source of conflict within the feminist movement. You may find that you believe in the theory of feminism, but do not see yourself fitting into the branches of feminism below, that is common. You can believe that women and men should be politically, economically and socially equal for your own reasons and hold your own ideas pertaining how you can make that happen. If that is the case you are likely practicing some form of feminism whether or not you directly associate yourself with the feminist movement. Feminism; Feminism is theory that men and women should be equal politically, economically and socially. This is the core of all feminism theories. Sometimes this definition is also referred to as core feminism or core feminist theory. Notice that this theory does not subscribe to differences between men and women or similarities between men and women, nor does it refer to excluding men or only furthering women’s causes. Most other branches of feminism do. Feminist; One who believes in that men and women should be equal politically, economically and socially as defined above? Cultural Feminism; The theory that there are fundamental personalities differences between men and women, and those women’s differences are special and should be celebrated. This theory of feminism supports the notion that there are biological differences between men and women. For example, women are kinder and gentler than men, leading to the mentality that if women ruled the world there would be no wars. Cultural feminism is the theory that wants to overcome sexism by celebrating women’s special qualities, women’s ways, and women’s experiences, often believing that the women’s way is the better way. Brooke Williams a member of Redstockings institution introduce term Cultural Feminism in 1975 to describe the depolitisation of radical feminism. Cultural feminist believe that cause of women oppression is biological. Their body is the material base of reproduction of human beings. It is natural procreative mechanism; its sexuality is control by men through institutions of marriage and family. The male-culture dominates and oppresses women in socio-economic fields. These feminists are committed to change the patriarchal system which is the root cause of many social problems. According to cultural feminists sexual freedom must be equally gained by men and women. According to them oppression of women is sexual, male culture has changed women’s bodies into objects of male desire and they are treated as a thing of beauty and sexuality. The cultural feminists consider woman as an individual not a class or race. Eco feminism; The term eco feminism first coined by the French feminist Francois de Eaubonne in 1974. Eco feminism is a theory that rests on the basic principle patriarchal philosophies are harmful to women, children, and other living things. Parallels are drawn between society’s treatment of the environment, animals, or resources and its treatment of women. In resisting patriarchal culture, eco feminists believe they are also resisting plundering and destroying of the earth. They feel that the patriarchal philosophy emphasises the need to dominate and control unruly females and unruly wilderness. Eco feminism views patriarchal society to be a structure which has developed over last 5,000 years, while considering matriarchal societies (a society in which females are centre of societal roles and structure, to be the original hierarchy. Eco feminism describes movements and philosophies that feminism is link with ecology. That there are particular and significant connections between women and nature, eco feminism interprets their repression and exploitation in the feminine values such as reciprocity, nurturing and cooperation, which are present both among women and in nature. Nature and women are also united through their shared history of oppression by a patriarchal Western society. Individualist or Libertarian Feminism; The Association of Libertarian Feminist founded in 1973 by Tonie Nathan. They attempt to change legal systems to eliminate class and gender privileges and to ensure that individual have equal rights, including equal claim under the law to their own persons and property. They encourage women to take full responsibities for their own lives. Individualist feminism is based upon individualism or libertarian (minimum government or anarchocapitalist) philosophies. The primary focus is individual autonomy, rights, liberty, independence and diversity. Individualist Feminism tends to widely encompass men and focuses on barriers that both man and woman face due to their gender. Material Feminism; A movement that began in the late 19th century focused on liberating by improving their material condition. This movement revolved around taking the burden off women in regards to housework, cooking and other traditional female domestic jobs. Moderate Feminism; This branch of feminism tends to be populated mostly by younger women or women who perceive that they have not directly experienced discrimination. They often believed that the ideals of the feminist movement are no longer viable, and therefore question the need for further efforts. They often view feminism as overbearing and too overt. Often this group espouses feminists’ ideas while not accepting or wanting the label of feminism. National Organisation for Women (N.O.W) Feminism; This theory is based on the notion that in order for men and women to be equal (as the core of feminism states), women must be granted some special privileges, and men should not be the central issue or barrier in feminism. N.O.W feminism encompasses only women and fights to offer special privileges to women with the intent of making women equal to them. Radical Feminism. Radical feminism is the breeding ground for many of the ideas arising from feminism. Radical feminism was the cutting edge of feminist theory from approximately 1967 to 1975. It is no longer as universally accepted as it was then, and no longer serves to solely define the term feminism. This group views the oppression of women as the most fundamental form of oppression, one that cuts across boundaries of race, culture, and economic class. This is a movement intent on social change, change of rather revolutionary proportions. Radical feminism questions why women must adopt certain roles based on their biology, just as questions why men adopt certain other roles based on gender. Radical feminism attempts to draw lines between biologically determined behaviour and culturally determined behaviour in order to free both men and women as much as possible from their previous narrow gender roles. One of the distinctive features of the second wave feminism is that many feminist writers moved beyond the perspective of existing political ideologies. Gender differences in society were regarded for the first time as important in themselves, needing to be understood in their own terms. Liberal and social ideas had already been adapted to throw light upon the position of women in society, but neither acknowledges that gender is the most fundamental of all social division. During the 1960 and 1970s, however, the feminist movement sought to uncover the influence of patriarchy not only in politics, public life and economy, but in all aspects of social, personal and sexual existence. This trend was evident in the work of Simon de Beavoir, and was developed by early radical feminists such s Eva Figes and Germaine Greer. Amazon Feminism; Amazon feminism focuses on physical equality and is opposed to gender role stereotypes and discrimination against women based on assumptions that women are supposed to be, look or behave as if they are passive, weak and physically helpless. Amazon feminism rejects the idea that certain characteristics or interests are inherently masculine or feminine, and upholds and explores the vision of heroic womanhood. Amazon feminists tend to view that all women are as physically capable as men. Separatists; Separatists are often wrongly depicted as lesbians. These are the feminists who advocate separation from men, sometimes total, sometimes partial. The core idea is that separating by various means from men enables women to see themselves in a different context. Many feminists, whether or not separatist, think this is a necessary first step for personal growth. However, they do not necessary endorse permanent separation.