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by Jillifish on September 22nd, 2005

Jillifish

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What are the major schools of feminist thought?

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  • by AB-BrazenGirl on November 19th, 2005

    AB-BrazenGirl

    There are 4 basic schools of feminist thought:

    Liberal feminism: these are the feminists that believe that the best way to fight patriarchal systems is by establishing legislation to fight discrimination. Like the 19th amendment and the right to vote was a liberal feminist approahch. The proposed and failed Equal Rights Amendment of the early 1980s was also a liberal feminist approach. Simply, this school of thought believes women would achieve better equality if they were just more visible in the current social structure.

    Socialist/Marxist Feminism: These feminists believe that it is the gendered division of labor that contributes to women's inequality. The fact that men have historically been paid more and get higher position in companies is big part. The fact that the majority of people who stay home to raise children and take care of the home are women and that is this unequal pay. The belief is that women are oppressed based on gender and class inequalities.

    Multicultural/Women-of-Color Feminism: These feminists believe that traditional schools of feminist thought have been created by middle-class white women who didn't recognize that women-of-color may also be oppressed based on racial inequalities. This school of thought argues for separate feminist thoughts like "womanism" (for afriacn-american women, also a separate movement for latina feminists, native american feminists, etc.

    Radical Feminism: This is the school of thought mainstream society typically equates to genderal feminism. Radical feminists believe that the biggest oppression working in our society is based on gender. Some believe a married woman can't be a feminist, or that straight women can't be feminist, all-in-all it comes down to the arguement that any dependance on men will equal the oppression of women. Although not all radical feminists are lesbians, this is the school of thought that has influenced a all of lesbian separatist groups.

    Comments

    • Superb answer.

      Carmella

      by Carmella on May 25th, 2007

    • I'm just guessing here, but I probably fall under liberal feminism. I support equal rights for women, but have nothing against men.

      blackcat96

      by blackcat96 on March 1st, 2010

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