Feminism vs. Radical Feminism

[MistOfTheSea86]

Thoughts??

[Myst]

Feminism - working towards showing people that men and women are equal, solving a situation wherein one is discriminated against for their gender, breaking through gender stereotypes

Radical Feminism - running around whining and screaming about how all men are stupid, ignorant, inferior, rude, pigs, etc. or about how oppressed and discriminated against women are by all men or about how discrimination makes it impossible for women to make their own choices in life and raising of their family, or suggesting that women are superior to men

[Illuminatus]

Feminism - Productive, Worthwhile, Admirable

Radical Feminism - Counterproductive

[Myst]

Right on Ill.

[Swanspirit]

that to set up a dialogue as one versus the other can be creating conflct where none is needed .... and simply serves as a spouting session for opinions not based on historical definitions...........and misses out on the history and legacy of some very wonderful feminists .... and the feminist women in Afghanistan are considered radical at the moment so the terms are relative at best........thus........

Feminist Utopia: Feminism Defined

Because people who believe in the theory of feminism have so many different beliefs, some have
sectioned off and created labels that represent them best and their beliefs surrounding feminism. What
follows are different branches of feminism theory that are recognized by feminists and feminist
scholars. These different theories of feminism are widely acknowledged and taught in women's studies
courses, gender studies courses, and the like.

Like many, I also recognize that people have created their own definition of feminism to best suit them.
The definitions here are theorectical, and are an example of the diversity of thoughts and beliefs among
feminists. See where you fit in, or even if you do.

Feminism

Feminism is theory that men and women should be equal politically, economically and socially.

This is the core of all feminism theories. Sometimes this definition is also referred to as "core
feminism" or "core feminist theory." Notice that this theory does not subscribe to differences between
men and women or similarities between men and women, nor does it refer to excluding men or only
furthering women's causes. Most other branches of feminism do.

Depedning on why you believe in feminism and what your ideas are to make feminism a reality is what
branches you off to be defined in the types of feminism defined below.

If you find that you do believe in the theory of feminism stated above, but do not see yourself fitting into
any of the branches of feminism below, that is okay. You can believe that women and men should be
politically, economically and socially equal for your own reasons and hold your own ideas pertaining
how you can make that happen. Because of that diversity and the allowance to define feminism for
yourself with your own reasons for believing in it and your own ideas to make it happen, we end up with
different branches of feminism. But at the core, at the heart of the matter, feminism remains a theory
that men and women should be politically, socially and economically equal.

Feminist

One who believes in the theory of feminism that is mentioned above.



Amazon Feminism

Amazon feminism is dedicated to the image of the female hero in Greek mythology and in fact, as it is
expressed in art and literature, in the physiques and feats of female athletes, and in sexual values and
practices.

Amazon feminism focuses on physical equality and is opposed to gender role stereotypes and
discrimination against women based on assumptions that women are supposed to be, look or behave
as if they are passive, weak and physically helpless. Amazon feminism rejects the idea that certain
characteristics or interests are inherently masculine (or feminine), and upholds and explores a vision of
heroic womanhood.

An Amazon feminist, for example, would argue that some people are not cut out physically to be a fire
fighter, serve in combat in the armed forces or work in construction. Whereas some people are
physically capable of doing such jobs. No mention of gender need be made, as the jobs should be
open to all people regardless of gender. Those men and women who are physically capable and want
to, should pursue such jobs. Amazon feminists tend to view that indeed, all women are as physically
capable as all men.

Cultural Feminism

The theory that there are fundamental personality differences between men and women, and that
women's differences are special and should be celebrated. This theory of feminism supports the notion
that there are biological differences between men and women, for example, "women are kinder and
more gentle then men", leading to the mentality that if women ruled the world there would be no wars.
Cultural feminism is the theory that wants to overcome sexism by celebrating women's special
qualities, women's ways, and women's experiences, often believing that the "woman's way" is the
better way.

Ecofeminism

Ecofeminism is a theory that rests on the basic principal that patriarchial philosophies are harmful to
women, children, and other living things. Parallels are often drawn between society's treatment of the
environment, animals, or resources and its treatment of women. In resisting patriarchial culture,
eco-feminists believe they are also resisting plundering and destroying the Earth. They feel that the
patriarchial philosophy emphasizes the need to dominate and control unruly females and the unruly
wilderness (nature and the earth).

Ecofeminism states the patriarchial society is relatively new, something developed over the last 5,000
years or so and that the matriarchial society was the first society. In this matriarchial society, women
were the center of society and people worshipped Goddesses. This is known as the Feminist Eden,
the time in history where women were the center of society.

Feminazi

This term was made popular by the radio/tv host Rush Limbaugh. A feminazi is defined by
anti-feminists as a feminist who is trying to produce as many abortions as possible. Hence the term
"nazi." Limbuah sees feminists as trying to rid the world of a particular group of people (fetuses).

Individualist, or Libertarian Feminism

Individualist feminism is based upon individualist or libertarian (minimum government or
anarchocapitalist) philosophies. The primary focus is individual autonomy, rights, liberty, independence
and diversity.

Material Feminism

A movement in the late 19th century to liberate women by improving their material condition. This
movement revolved around taking the "burden" off women in regards to housework, cooking, and other
traditionally female domestic jobs. The Grand Domestic Revolution by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a
reference.

Moderate Feminism

This branch of feminism tends to be populated mostly by younger women or women who have not
directly experienced discrimination. They tend to question the need for further effort, and do not think
that radical feminism is any longer viable and in fact rather embarrassing (it's thought that this is the
group most likely to espouse feminist ideas and thoughts while denying being "feminist").

N.O.W. Feminism (also referred to as Gender Feminism)

My own term for the type of feminism the National Organization for Women represents. This theory is
based on the notion that in order for men and women to be equal (as the core of 'feminism' states),
women must be granted some special privilages, and men should not be an issue in feminism.

This could be exemplified by N.O.W. publicly supporting women who wish to enter traditionally all-male
scools. While N.O.W. will take strong and loud stands to support that, they are silent regarding men
being able to enter traditionally all-female schools. Another example could be how N.O.W. is quick to
support women as public icons who are victims of sexual harassment, yet offer no public support for
men as pulbic icons who are victims of sexual harassment. In both instances, N.O.W. feminism
encompases only women and fights to offer special privilages to women only with the purpose that
doing so will bring the genders equal.

Pop-Feminism

Pop-feminism is often mistaken by people to be feminism in general... the negative stereotypical man
hating ideology. There is no proof that such feminists exist, I have yet to meet a feminist who hates
men and indeed, many men are feminists. But, if such a category of feminists exist, they should be
referred to as 'pop-feminists.' This would be the type of feminism that degrades men in all manners and
glorifies women.

Radical Feminism

Radical feminism is the breeding ground for many of the ideas arising from feminism. Radical feminism
was the cutting edge of feminist theory from approximately 1967-1975. It is no longer as universally
accepted as it was then and no longer serves to solely define the term, "feminism."

This group views the oppression of women as the most fundamental form of opression, one that cuts
across boundaries of race, culture, and economic class. This is a movement intent on social change,
change of rather revolutionary proportions, in fact.

Radical feminism questions why women must adopt certain roles based on their biology, just as it
questions why men adopt certain other roles based on theirs. Radical feminism attempts to draw lines
between biologically-determined behavior and culturally-determined behavior in order to free both men
and women as much as possible from their previous narrow gender roles.

Separatists

Separatists are often wrongly depicted as lesbians. These are the feminists who advocate separation
from men; sometimes total, sometimes partial. Women who organize women-only events are often
unfairly dubbed separatist.

The core idea is that "separating" (by various means) from men enables women to see themselves in a
different context. Many feminists, whether or not separatist, think this is a necessary "first step", by
which they mean a temporary separation for personal growth, not a permanent one.

It is equally inaccurate to consider all lesbians as separatist. While it is true that they do not interact
with men for sexual fulfillment, it is not true that they therefore automatically shun all interaction with
men.



The New Scholars in Feminism:

No, this isn't the name of a theory. This is an idea that is gaining much attention and has not yet been
labled (that I know of). There are some feminist scholars emerging with loud voices and strong
evidence, who feel strongly that there are no personality differences between men and women,
biologically, or otherwise. I suppose you could consider these supporters the opposite of what cultural
feminism is.

These new scholars are emerging from gender studies and women's studies programs in colleges all
over the U.S. The majority of them believe that gender differences are a result of social and
environmental influence. From what I've heard and read, thier arguments are good and scientifically
based.
source
http://www.amazoncastle.com/feminism/ecocult.htm
Love and light
Swannie

[Myst]

Originally posted by Swanspirit
that to set up a dialogue as one versus the other can be creating conflct where none is needed .... and simply serves as a spouting session for opinions not based on historical definitions...........and misses out on the history and legacy of some very wonderful feminists .... and the feminist women in Afghanistan are considered radical at the moment so the terms are relative at best........thus........

I think it creates the opportunity to discuss opinions of a political matter in a political forum in a community designed for discussion of opinions. I also look forward to seeing more opinions, being as that's why I come here to MW.

[Swanspirit]

"I think it creates the opportunity to discuss opinions of a political
matter in a political forum in a community designed for discussion
of opinions. I also look forward to seeing more opinions, being as
that's why I come here to MW."
I agree .. couldnt agree more...... however it helps when those opinions have actual information.....as a basis .. but it isnt necessary .......
As for feminism...... a lot of people have opinions and have very little actual information..... reminds me of how SOME christians have opinions of pagans ..... and it is either based on littel to NO information or erroneous information.... BUT they ARE entitled.....
Love and Light
Swannie

[MistOfTheSea86]

Originally posted by Illuminatus
Feminism - Productive, Worthwhile, Admirable

Radical Feminism - Counterproductive

Very well said.

[Myst]

Originally posted by MistOfTheSea86


Very well said.

I couldn't agree more. To me, what Ill said there IS fact.

[Dellit Tandannon]

Originally posted by Swanspirit
I agree .. couldnt agree more...... however it helps when those opinions have actual information.....as a basis .. but it isnt necessary .......

it helps even more when you post your own thoughts in your own words.

feminism is a great cause. i support total equality of the sexes. what i don't support is a group that isn't looking for equality but superiority. you are not better then me and i am not better then you.