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Types of feminisms you should know

Aug 8, 20223 min read

From my point of view

 

Let's start by making something very clear, for me all types of feminism seek a better world for women and girls, so one is not better or worse than another. The difference lies in each type having different approaches. There are feminists who only want to change the sociopolitical and economic order and others who seek to promote the acceptance of women, but we are all fighting for a more equal world.


Here are 6 types of feminism that you should know:


1. Radical feminism:


Radical feminism views patriarchy and sexism as the most elemental factor in the oppression of women, transcending all others, from race and age to culture, caste and class. It questions the political system itself and the social ideology behind the subjugation of women.


Many people think that radical feminism means "aggressive" feminism, but in reality the radical part seeks to end sexist and patriarchal inequality at the root.


Radical feminists achieved the well-known women's revolution of the 20th century, but radical feminism not only conquers the streets, but also seeks to raise awareness and differences through different means, for example: Simone de Beauvoir is considered a radical feminist writer who spread her ideologies through his works such as the "Second Sex".


Simone de Beauvoir: Foto de Literary Hub



2. Liberal feminism:


This type of feminism works within the structure of the dominant society and seeks integration and recognition of women's individual rights, but does not directly challenge the system itself or the ideology behind women's oppression.


Its main objective is equality between men and women as people of value. This does not mean that other feminisms do not seek gender equality, but liberal feminism focuses on it.


A well-known liberal feminist is Emma Watson, who believes that in order to achieve women's liberation and equality, men must also be free and we must both shed gender stereotypes.

Emma Watson habla en la ONU acerca de la equidad de género: canal de la ONU en Youtube



3. Black Feminism:


It argues that sexism, class oppression, gender identity, and racism are closely linked.

Kimberlé Crenshaw (American lawyer, civil rights advocate, philosopher, and leading scholar of critical race theory), argued that black feminism argues that the experience of being a black woman cannot be understood in terms of being black or being black. woman. Each concept is considered independently, but must include the interactions, which often reinforce each other.


The Combahee River Collective (black feminist women's organization) argued in 1974 that the liberation of black women implies freedom for all people, since

it would require an end to racism, sexism, and class oppression.




4. Marxist and socialist feminism:

Marcha feminista: foto de la revista Crisis


Karl Marx has contributed much to the beginning and development of feminist thought as part of a movement for liberation and social change, not only for women but for all of society. Marx was able to identify that within society, families, work, politics, among others, there is great inequality and oppression towards women.


The Marxist and socialist feminist, Diana Almeida Noboa, mentions that for her this type of feminism: "... perfectly understands the intertwined systemic character of patriarchy, capitalism and colonialism as a great machinery of submission to bodies and nature" .


Feminists, based on Marxist and socialist analysis, attribute women's oppression primarily to the capitalist economic system where global corporate power prevails.



5. Cultural Feminism:


By nature women are considered kinder and gentler than men, hence if women were in power, the world would be a better place. Cultural feminism emphasizes the essential differences between men and women in terms of biology, personality, and behavior.


Women are seen as having different and sometimes better virtues that lay the groundwork for shared identity, solidarity, and sisterhood.


Photo by Oye Juanjo that offers a wide range of books on cultural feminism.

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These are just some of the types of feminism that exist: anarchofeminism, cyberfeminism, ecofeminism, postmodern feminism, lesbofeminism, insubstantial feminism, trans feminism, etc.

Although again, all types of feminisms seek a better world for women and girls.


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