Feminism

Jenna Hansen

Professor Colin Moore

November 14, 2018

 When you first think of feminism, what comes to mind? I asked this question to several different

people (male and female) and the responses varied from “insecure” to “extreme” or even “superiority”.

In this paper I will attempt to change those preconceived notions in the hope that you may better

understand what the ideology of feminism is, specifically in a political sense. In doing so I will discuss

the core themes and main strands of feminism, as well as its connection to liberalism.

There are four core themes of feminism. The first is redefining ‘the political’. When speaking of

this term it is important to recognize the traditional definition which is locating politics in public life, for

example, in political parties and interest groups. Politics regarding private life, such as in your personal

relationships and family life, are seen as outside this realm. Traditionally speaking, separating public and

private lives in relation to politics would be the main goal. Feminists argue that in a traditional setting

where politics remain public, sexual inequality would be evident. Because men are typically promoted

more in a public sphere, they would then necessarily dominate the political agenda. On the other hand,

because women have traditionally placed at home in the private roles of housewife or mother, they

would be excluded from politics. If public and private life in politics remain separate, women’s opinions

would naturally have little to no importance, only strengthening this inequality. However, feminism

challenges this traditional idea by stating that the exercising of politics takes place in all social groups.

Politics focuses where power is involved, existing wherever conflict is found, whether that is publicly or

privately. (Heywood, 2012, 230) (Moore, 2018)

When describing the different strands, Radical feminists believe female oppression operates in

all aspects of life, including in the home. Socialist feminists believe traditional ideals from ‘the political’

are linked to a capitalist economic system. Liberal feminists also believe in fighting this oppression, but

they are the most apprehensive. Their main concern regarding this theme is the potential of politicizing
the private sphere thus threatening personal choice and individual freedom (liberal theory). This specific

strand and theme of feminism most directly connects to the ideology of liberalism.

(Heywood, 2012, 230) (Moore, 2018)

The second theme of feminism is the patriarchy. ‘Patriarchy’ is a term used to describe the power

relationship between men and women. Feminists argue that this term can describe the whole of a society.

In that sense, a patriarchal society is hierarchal in that men would dominate women. Therefore, the

societal position of women is key to a feminist’s work in creating a more equal society. In order to

change this, women might try to take a patriarchal role in the family and then apply it to society in order

to prove power does not just belong in the hands of men. Specifically, liberal feminists use this term to

draw attention to unequal rights and inequality in society. They want more representation of women in

politics, business, professions and public life in general. Social feminists emphasize on the economic

features of the patriarchy. They believe capitalism is the root behind inequality in the patriarchy.

Radical feminists stress the oppression of women beginning from the patriarchy in the family, using it as

a theme to show a “pattern of male domination and female subordination that characterizes society at

large is, essentially, a reflection of the power structures that operate within domestic life” (Heywood,

2012, 232)[.] (Moore, 2018)

The third theme is sex and gender. The most common argument against feminism dealing

directly with gender is the idea that general divisions are “natural” and that biology is destiny. Feminists

answer this by stating biological differences should not determine social destiny. Yes, biologically men

and women are different, there is no denying that. However, having a penis or vagina should not

promote or inhibit one’s social standing. One may call attention to a female’s individual capacity to bear

children. Does this unique ability make women automatically be stay at home mothers? Traditionally

speaking, some might say yes. But feminists say ‘child bearing’ and ‘child rearing’ is a cultural
privilege, not a biological one. To further their argument, feminists have defined the difference between

‘sex’ and ‘gender’. Sex is a biological term and gender is a cultural one. Feminism focuses on gender,

emphasizing that gender differences are socially or politically constructed ideas contrasting stereotypes

of ‘masculinity’ and ‘femininity’. Liberally, no matter your sex, you are still a human being. Therefore,

women should have the same rights as men. Individualism is another key component to liberalism that

feminism pushes — the idea that we should be judged as a person, not by our sexual orientation.

(Heywood, 2012, 233) (Moore, 2018)

The last core theme of feminism is equality and difference. The ultimate goal of feminism is

equality. However, the certain kind of equality differs in each strand — Liberal feminists focus on

political and legal equality. This is the desire for equal access and competition in a public realm (‘the

political’). Socialist feminists strive for social equality, arguing that equal rights would be meaningless

without an economic emphasis, including recognizing pay and wage labor. Radical feminists concern is

toward equality in family and personal life. Calling attention to domestic responsibilities like child care,

and the right to control one’s own body. It is also important to recognize the difference in the amount of

stress put on equality. Results from focusing too much stress on equality could lead women down a path

of thinking that they must be exactly like men, in turn dishonoring their differences when they should be

celebrated. (Heywood, 2012, 234) (Moore, 2018)

To conclude, the core themes of feminism — redefining ‘the political’, patriarchy, sex and

gender and equality and difference — lay an important base for what the ideology is and what it is trying

to accomplish. The three main strands of feminism — liberal, socialist and radical — emphasize the

different ways on how feminism tries to accomplish equality between men and women, whether that is

politically, economically, or in the home. The liberalism connection to individualism and personal

freedom adds a good credibility to feminism and it’s potential support from the public. Knowledge is
power in this world, and the more you know about these political and social issues will lead to a higher

possibility those issues will be addressed. Feminism is one of those issues.

References:

Heywood, A. (2017). Political ideologies an introduction. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Moore, C. (2018). Feminism. https://slcc.instructure.com/courses/511538/files/folder/PowerPoints?

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