What Is Feminist Theory?

Feminism, the belief in social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. Although largely
originating in the West, feminism is manifested worldwide and is represented by various
institutions committed to activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.
Throughout most of Western history, women were confined to the domestic sphere, while
public life was reserved for men. In medieval Europe, women were denied the right to own
property, to study, or to participate in public life. At the end of the 19th century in France, they
were still compelled to cover their heads in public, and, in parts of Germany, a husband still had
the right to sell his wife. Even as late as the early 20th century, women could neither vote nor
hold elective office in Europe and in most of the United States (where several territories and
states granted women’s suffrage long before the federal government did so). Women were
prevented from conducting business without a male representative, be it father, brother,
husband, legal agent, or even son. Married women could not exercise control over their own
children without the permission of their husbands. Moreover, women had little or no access to
education and were barred from most professions. In some parts of the world, such restrictions
on women continue today.
Basic Feminist Ideas
Both females and males who identify themselves as feminists disagree on many things. That
being said, most feminists agree on five basic principles:
 Working to increase equality: Feminist thought links ideas to action, insisting we
should push for change toward gender equality and not just talk about it.
 Expanding human choice: Feminists believe that both men and women should have
the freedom to develop their human interests and talents, even if those interests and
talents conflict with the status quo. For example, if a woman wants to be a mechanic,
she should have the right and opportunity to do so.
 Eliminating gender stratification: Feminists oppose laws and cultural norms that limit
income, educational and job opportunities for women.
 Ending sexual violence & promoting sexual freedom: Feminists feel that women
should have control over their sexuality and reproduction.
Types of Feminism
There are three basic forms of feminism: liberal, social and radical feminism. Liberal
feminism is rooted in classic liberal thought and believes that individuals should be free to
develop their own talents and pursue their own interests.
This approach sees gender inequalities as rooted in the attitudes of our social and cultural
institutions. Liberal feminists do not see women's equality as requiring a reorganization of
society, but they do seek to expand the rights and opportunities of women.
They focus mainly on protecting equal opportunities for women through legislation. Passage of
the Equal Rights Amendment in 1972 was a big step forward for liberal feminist agenda,
which in part states that, 'Equality of rights under the law shall not be abridged by the United
States or by any State on account of sex.' To date, 35 states have ratified the amendment; 38
are needed for it to become part of the U.S. Constitution. The 15 states that have not ratified
the Equal Rights Amendment include those in the Deep South, Midwest and Southwest and
include Florida, Missouri and Nevada.
Socialist feminism evolved from the ideas of Karl Marx, who blamed capitalism for promoting
patriarchy by concentrating power in the hands of a small number of men. Socialist feminists
believe that the traditional family is based upon a capitalist system, where women stay home
and men work. As the main source of women's inequality, the system and traditional family can
only be replaced by a socialist revolution that creates a government to meet the needs of the
family.
By comparison, radical feminists find the attempts by liberal and socialist feminists to address
issues related to gender inequality inadequate. Radical feminists believe that men not only
benefit from the exploitation of women but are also responsible for it as well.