Major Feminist Theories
Conservatism. Conservatism is not typically viewed as a feminist theory; it is included in
order to provide a contrast for subsequent perspectives. Conservatives are the most
satisfied with the status quo, and thus they support traditional gender arrangements. They
tend to see intrinsic value in society's existing institutions and are unwilling to alter that
which tradition has perfected. The justification for conservatism is usually rooted in
biological and religious arguments. Conservatives often take an essentialist standpoint:
they believe that gender differences are fixed, absolute, and biologically determined. The
religious argument further supports essentialism by maintaining that gender differences
were created by God or other Supreme Being.
Liberal Feminism. Liberal feminist theory, which arose from social contract theories of
the 16th and 17th centuries, is based on the values of rationality and reason, liberty, and
equality. Liberal feminists believe that women and men are equal and have the same
capacities and abilities, and thus women have the right to the same opportunities as men.
Affirmative action, reproductive rights legislation, educational reforms, and equal
opportunity legislation represent important liberal feminist programs that have attempted
to assure that women and other minority groups are not systematically disadvantaged.
Liberal feminists wish to achieve gender equity by working within the system, rather than
overthrowing the system.
Radical Feminism. Radical feminists on the left wing believe that the subjugation of
women is the most basic and fundamental oppression. Patriarchy, male domination, and
men’s control over women’s bodies are responsible for women’s oppression (Enns,
1997). Radical feminists assume that all women, regardless of class, sexual orientation,
or ethnic background, share this common ground. In contrast with liberal feminists, who
see value in working within the existing system, radical feminists call for a complete
reorganization of society by eliminating any concentration of male power, emphasizing
instead the ethics of mutuality and interdependency (Campbell & Wasco, 2000; hooks,
2000).
Unfortunately, both liberal and radical feminist perspectives have been criticized,
particularly by women of color, for being exclusionary and limited in scope. Historically,
liberal and radical feminisms have represented issues that pertain to White heterosexual
women, without necessarily considering the realities that women of color, poor and
working-class women, and lesbian women might face. The following theories represent
modifications to existing feminist perspectives that recognize the diverse backgrounds
and experiences of women:
Cultural Feminism. Interestingly, cultural feminism shares characteristics with both
conservatism and more radical feminist theories. Like conservatism, cultural feminists
take an essentialist standpoint and maintain that a range of biologically-based gender
differences exist. Yet cultural feminists call for highlighting and valuing these
differences, rather than keeping women in subordinate positions. Cultural feminists
believe that, by celebrating women’s special and unique qualities, sexism and female
oppression will be eliminated. In tandem with this goal, cultural feminists seek to create
a more female-oriented culture. Examples of cultural feminist activities include women’s
music festivals, a revival of women’s spirituality and Goddess traditions, and a
recognition of women’s traditional art forms such as knitting, quilting, and weaving.
Some aspects of lesbian culture share commonalities with cultural feminism, and cultural
feminism borrows from a variety of historical and ethnic traditions.
Socialist Feminism. Like radical feminism, socialist feminism is also located toward the
left of the political continuum. Yet socialist feminists maintain that there is no primary
root of oppression, but that all forms of oppression, including sexism, racism,
ethnocentrism, homophobia, heterosexism, and classism support and reinforce one
another. Audre Lorde’s article “There Is No Hierarchy of Oppression” reflects this
perspective. She argues that, in order to address any one form of oppression, we must
consider all of them simultaneously.
Women of Color Feminism/Womanism. Womanism recognizes the specific concerns
women of color might face in a patriarchal society. While women of color experience
sexism, they also may face issues of poverty, racism, and ethnocentrism. Because
womanists recognize the existence of multiple oppressions, they do not necessarily view
men of color as the fundamental oppressor; in fact, women of color may choose to ally
themselves with men of color in the service of ending racism and other forms of
oppression.