Gender Studies of Feminism: Radical and Liberal Branches Essay

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Feminism is a complex happening that has been developing in the world’s society for decades. Ever since the first feminist movements appeared, this happening has generated several different branches that have a common basis and, at the same time, differ from each other in various definitions and details. Some of the streams of feminism have more radical views, and some are quite liberal and mild in their approaches.

The kind of feminism that fits me the most is Liberal Feminism. I base my opinion on the fact that this kind of feminism has gender equality as its main and most important goal (Lewis, par. 2). This concept mostly refers to the sphere of employment and career building. This type of feminism acts through the methods of legal changes. It attempts to create better working conditions for women and end the job segregation. Besides, liberal feminists plead to provide better chances of promotion for women in male-dominated career fields. This type of feminism is the most suitable for me because it states that women have the right to provide for their families and be successful suppliers independently from men. I chose to prioritize this kind of feminism because I had personally observed the situations when in patriarchal families men left their wives and, as a result, women ended up being helpless, poor and unable to find decent jobs due to the lack of experience, appropriate education or professional skills. Based on these observations, I consider equality in the career field highly meaningful, and this is why I think that the efforts and difference the activists of liberal feminism make are very important.

There are also types of feminist movements that do not match my understanding of the relationship between men and women and their social roles. First of all, I consider Amazon feminism quite illogical because the majority of females on our planet are not athletes or soldiers, they are naturally smaller and weaker than men, and this is why I think it is only reasonable for a man to want to help his woman with carrying heavy things or reaching the top shelves. I do not find these actions offensive or discriminating. Radical feminism views men as unnecessary members of the society, which is also quite illogical as for me, because the two sexes appeared naturally and have always had certain biological functions, so denying the meaning of these axiomatic happenings in simply unreasonable. I also consider that such statements as “women are kinder and gentler than men” are quite inaccurate because these two traits vary from person to person according to the characters and up-bringing, not the sex.

I consider myself a liberal feminist because I certainly disagree with gender oppression and feel for women that still struggle to obtain their social equality. We have been living in a patriarchal society filled with rules and regulations dictated by men for centuries. Gender roles and functions of women were also formulated by more powerful men. Today, with the appearance of feminist and gay movements, the standard description of the male function in the society is changing. I do not think that the existence of feminism and other liberation movements creates discrimination and oppression of the male part of our society, but it allows more freedom and diversity, making our world more flexible, tolerant and respectful towards various kinds of people.

Works Cited

Lewis, Joan Johnson. . 2014. Web.

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IvyPanda. 2020. "Gender Studies of Feminism: Radical and Liberal Branches." May 12, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/gender-studies-of-feminism-radical-and-liberal-branches/.

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