2. Feminist Theory
Feminism or feminist theory is a range of political movements, ideologies,
and social movements that share a common goal which is to define and
advance political, economic, personal, and social rights for women (Berroya
2017).
This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in
education and employment.
3. Movements of Feminism Description
1st Wave
Feminism refers to an extended period of feminist
activity during the nineteenth century and early
twentieth century in the United Kingdom and the
United States.
2nd Wave
Feminism refers to the period of activity in the early
1960s and lasting through the late 1990s.
3rd Wave
Feminism began in the early 1990s, arising as a
response to perceived failures of the second wave
and also as a response to the backlash against
initiatives and movements created by the second
wave
Table 2: Movements of Feminism – Source: (Mohammad Salik 2017)
4. Principles Description
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 and
promoting sexual freedom
Feminists feel that women should have
control over their sexuality and
reproduction.
Table 3: Basic Principles of Feminism – Source: (Mohammad Salik 2017)
5. Types of Feminism Description
Liberal Feminism
Liberal feminism is an individualistic form of feminist theory, which
focuses on women’s ability to maintain their equality through their
own actions and choices. Liberal feminists argue that society holds
the false belief that women are, by nature, less intellectually and
physically capable than men.
Socialist Feminism
Socialist feminism is a branch of feminism that focuses upon both
the public and private spheres of a woman's life and argues that
liberation can only be achieved by working to end both the
economic and cultural sources of women's oppression. Socialist
feminism is a two-pronged theory that broadens Marxist
feminism's argument for the role of capitalism in the oppression of
women and radical feminism's theory of the role of gender and the
patriarchy.
Radical Feminism
Radical feminism is a perspective within feminism that calls for a
radical reordering of society in which male supremacy is eliminated
in all social and economic contexts.
Table 4: Types of Feminism – Source: (Mohammad Salik 2017)
