Feminist Theory
“My idea of feminism is
self-determination, and it’s
By Heather,
Jen, Katie,every
Holly, Steph,
very open-ended:
and Sam!
woman has the right to
become herself, and do
whatever she needs to do.”
By Ani Difranco
What do you think the feminist
theory is?
What is a Feminist?
Answer…

A Feminist is a supporter of feminism, or an
advocator for equal rights for women. The
doctrine advocating social, political and all
other right of women equal to those of men.
Definition of Feminist Theory

Conflict theories that were developed to explain
the impact of sex and gender on behaviour, and to
consider issues of human behaviour from the
specific viewpoint of women.
Quotes…
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Rebecca West, 1913
Pearl Cleage, Deals with the devil, p.28.
(New York: Ballantine Books, 1993.)
Journal of Women's History
The History of Feminism


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
The Recent history of Feminism came in
three waves:
First wave occurred in the 1940’s and 1950’s
The second wave occurred in the 1960’s and
1970’s
The third wave
Famous Feminists

Betty Friedan

Emily Murphy
Different Types of Feminism:

o
Main Three Types of Feminism:
- Liberal
- Socialist
- Radical
Other Types Include:
- Third Wave Feminism
- Ecofeminism
- Black Feminism (Womanism)
Liberal Feminism

“Argues that discriminatory policies force
women into an inferior social class that
restricts their rights to participate fully in
society according to their individual
abilities.”
Socialist Feminism

“Based on the assumption that the status of
women is a social inequality rooted in a
sexual division of paid and unpaid labour.”
Radical Feminism

“Argues that the differences in power
between men and women result in any malefemale relationship as being exploitative.”
Discussion Questions
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How has the feminist theory changed society?
Has gender equality improved or declined?
Do you agree with the feminist theory? (That
change is required so that the needs of all
people are met)
Do you think that by looking through the
feminist theory that we are missing other
perspectives?