{"id":28,"date":"2018-07-22T05:07:15","date_gmt":"2018-07-22T05:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/socp10.epgpbooks.inflibnet.ac.in\/?post_type=chapter&p=28"},"modified":"2018-12-28T09:54:15","modified_gmt":"2018-12-28T09:54:15","slug":"liberal-feminism-radical-feminism","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/ebooks.inflibnet.ac.in\/socp10\/chapter\/liberal-feminism-radical-feminism\/","title":{"rendered":"Liberal Feminism, Radical Feminism"},"content":{"raw":"
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\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIntroduction<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n

This module attempts to explain and elucidate feminist theory, with an emphasis on two particular strands of feminist theory- liberal feminism and radical feminism. It looks at the history of the contemporary feminist movement, and by juxtaposing liberal feminism with radical feminism; it attempts to analyze the differences and similarities, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of both these strands of feminism.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Feminist theory <\/strong>refers to a broad system of ideas which are based on the principle that women are equal to men and need to be given the same rights and opportunities as men in every sphere of their lives. It can also be described as a system of ideas which seek to challenge traditional conceptions of gender and related concepts of femininity and masculinity. Simply theorizing about gender does not qualify as a feminist position. In order to be considered a feminist theory, it must also recognize gender as a system of inequality; assume that it is a changeable rather than fixed feature of human societies, and most importantly, advocate a commitment to a gender equitable system (Chafetz 2006).<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Feminist theory differs from most sociological theories in two ways. First, it is the work of an interdisciplinary community which includes not only sociologists but also political activists, historians, biologists, psychologists, etc. Second, feminists work with a double agenda- they desire both to broaden and deepen their own discipline; and to develop a critical understanding of society in order to change it for the better (Ritzer 2011).<\/p>\r\n \r\n

One of the important contributions which feminist theory has made towards sociology is the concept of gender<\/strong>, which it has centralized, and refined (Lengermann and Niebrugge 2007). Feminist scholars distinguished between biological differences between males and females, which they called sex, and the socially constructed behaviours associated with the feminine and masculine, which they termed as gender. Although various strands of feminism differ regarding their views on what the essential qualities of gender are, almost all agree upon the socially\u00a0constructed nature of gender as opposed to the view that there is a strictly biological basis of gender.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Types of feminism<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Based on their understanding of gender and gender inequality, various strands of feminist thought have developed over the years. However, it is to be noted that that the <\/span>categorization<\/strong> of these various strands of feminism is more for analytical purposes<\/strong>, as often the strands draw from one another rather than remain exclusive. The first three major strands of feminism which developed in the West were liberal feminism, Marxist\/socialist feminism and radical feminism. <\/span>Liberal feminism\u2019s<\/strong> central argument is that there exists gender inequality which can be ended when women get the same rights as men, through legal, political, educational and other reforms within the existing system. <\/span>Socialist feminism<\/strong> argues that gender inequality mainly stems from the inequalities set forth by the capitalist system. <\/span>Radical feminism<\/strong> takes as its basis sexual politics as the basis of gender oppression. To combat the limitations posed by these forms of feminism, other strands began to evolve from these strands. <\/span>Black feminism<\/strong> developed as a critique of the radical feminist view that women around the world share a common, universal experience of oppression. According to black feminist thinkers, gender oppression cannot be separated from race and class oppression and need to be analyzed at their intersections. <\/span>Postmodern feminism<\/strong>, in adherence to postmodern thought, has argued that certain basic conceptual categories such as women and gender need to be challenged and deconstructed, rather than be taken for granted. These have been some of the common forms of feminist articulations.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Liberal feminism<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Liberal feminism holds the view that if society is to achieve gender equality, then it must provide women with the same political rights and economic opportunities as well as the same education that men enjoy. For liberal feminists, the ideal sex\/gender system would be one wherein each individual can act as a free and responsible moral agent. Individuals may be free to choose the lifestyle most suitable to her or him without being judged for it- \u201cbe it for housewife or househusband, unmarried careerist or part of a dual-income family, childless or with children, heterosexual or homosexual\u201d (Ritzer 2011). This liberal feminist ideal then is consistent with the dominant American philosophical tradition of liberal democracy and capitalism, with its reformist orientation, and its appeal to the values of individualism, choice, responsibility, and equality of opportunity (ibid).<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Liberal feminists call for the formation of a society in which each individual can act as a free and responsible agent and be able to live the life that is most suitable for him or herself. Liberal feminism\u2019s emphasis on freedom of choice and equality between the sexes, while pushing for change, is more reformist in its agenda than revolutionary, as it does not question the basic roots of inequality and challenge the present sex\/gender system itself<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

The fundamental tenets of liberal feminism can be summarized thus:<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n