Ever Wondered About What Kinds Of Feminisms There Are? We Got You!

By: Alison Erika Gleeson

Laura Kina, "Aram Han Sifuentes in her studio" (2019), various media, 8 1/2 x 11 inches (all images courtesy the Smithsonian Archives of American Art)

Feminism: A broad political ideology based on equal rights for women. While you can find a variety of definitions online, political, social, economic, and personal equality of the sexes and the abolishment of the patriarchy seems to be the wide consensus of understanding. But a movement as broad and complex as the liberation of women and femme presenting people has splintered into different directions with different definitions, thus creating a bit of confusion within feminist circles themselves. In this article, I would like to layout just a number of different types of Feminism, so their basic interpretations as well as their ultimate goals.

I. Liberal Feminism

Also coined Mainstream Feminism, liberal Feminism wishes to achieve equality through legal and political reforms, which stems from 19th century first-wave feminism and suffragette school of thought. A critical factor in this branch of Feminism is that it works within the mainstream structure of society, meaning that its main goal is to integrate women into our current society just as well as men are integrated. Throughout the history of liberal Feminism, men have always been included and have been seen as key factors for the liberation of women, with progressive men taking leading roles in political reforms in the early 20th century. A point of critique of Mainstream Feminism is that it disregards the inherently misogynistic social structures of our patriarchal state in the western world. Another critique is that it focuses too much on white women and their struggles within a white framework, unconcerned about the struggles of POC, especially WOC.

II. Radical Feminism

This form of Feminism defines itself by recognizing the different types of oppression that women can face, including gender and gender identity, and sexuality. Unlike liberal feminists who wish to change legal and political systems to further their liberation, radical feminists do not want to integrate into our current society like men. They rather see the cause of women's oppression as a result of patriarchal gender roles rooted in our society. Their main goal is to abolish the current patriarchal society and free everybody from biased and inequitable subjugation. Its critics argue that its prominent advocates are upper-class white women, resulting in fragile and unsubstantial kinds of support for WOC. Moreover, critics denunciate radical feminists for isolating themselves from male leftist groups, halting any sort of productive end product.

III. Marxist/Socialist Feminism

Marxist and Socialist Feminism differentiate themselves from other branches of

feminism by taking a completely different route: It analyzes the way women have been exploited by capitalism, thus expanding already existing Marxist theory. Marxist Feminists wish to dissolve capitalist systems that oppress women and do not recognize and disburse the hard work most women living under these repressive systems are left to do, such as household chores and family/child care. Furthermore, Marxist Feminism also seeks to unite women of the working and middle classes, thus recognizing that women of upper social classes often do not wish to collaborate with lower classes. This chapter of Feminism receives critique for its lack of modernity and its obstinate attitude to our newer, technological times (What happens to social class when everything will be automated and there is no more "working class"?).

This was just a short iteration of the different types of Feminism. Of course, there are so many other types of Feminism and cultural movements that can't fit on a page. We have to keep expanding our horizons and encourage ourselves and others to learn more about our surroundings and how we can make them safer, kinder, and more just for marginalized people, our future selves, and our children. It's time for all of us, no matter where we come from, to roll up our sleeves and take action, wherever and whenever