Feminism and Definitions
I think feminism is empowerment for women it's as simple as that. Women need to empower themselves because no one else will do it for them.. It's Just about equality ~~I love men, it has nothing to do with man~hating.
Its the crazy idea that women should be treated as equals to men. I conceive feminism to be empowering, not limiting. And in no way synonymous to man hating or lesbianism.
Feminism: an enigmatic, multi-faceted, debate over where and how women fit into the male dominated/cultivated world.
Femisism: a concept that focuses on destroying the rift between the sexes.
Feminism: an acknowledgement and examination of the societal differences between men and women, not an effort to bring women, and an effort to bring women to an equal status with men.
Feminists, however they choose to go about it, strive for a community in which there are no restraints placed onto someone based on their gender. In other word's, equal oppurtunity for all. Whether we try to work up to where we are equal to the current level of men, create our own new levels, or decide to dissociate with men altogether, depends on our own personal definitions of feminsm.
Define it Please...
Because people who believe in the theory of feminism have so many different beliefs, some have sectioned off and created labels that attempt torepresent them and their beliefs surrounding feminism.
Like manyother types of groups, feminists have created their own definition of feminism to best suit them or to something they can best relate to. The definitions here are theorectical, and are an example of the diversity of thoughts and beliefs among feminists. See where you fit in, or if even you do.
Feminism
The theory that men and women should be equal politically, economically and socially.
Notice that this theory does not subscribe to differences between men and women or similarities between men and women. Most other theories involving feminism do.
Feminist
One who believes in the theory of feminism.
Amazon Feminism
Amazon feminism is dedicated to the image of the female hero in fiction and in fact, as it is expressed in art and literature, in the physiques and feats of female athletes, and in sexual values and practices.
Amazon feminism focuses on physical equality and is opposed to gender role stereotypes and discrimination against women based on assumptions that women are supposed to be, look or behave as if they are passive, weak and physically helpless. Amazon feminism rejects the idea that certain characteristics or interests are inherently masculine (or feminine), and upholds and explores a vision of heroic womanhood.
Cultural Feminism
The theory that there are fundamental personality differences between men and women, and that women's differences are special and should be celebrated. This theory of feminism supports the notion that there are biological differences between men and women, for example, "women are kinder and more gentle then men", leading to the mentality that if women ruled the world there would be no wars. Cultural feminism is the theory that wants to overcome sexism by celebrating women's special qualities, women's ways, and women's experiences, often believing that the "woman's way" is the better way.
Ecofeminism
Ecofeminism is a theory that rests on the basic principal that patriarchial philosophies are harmful to women, children, and other living things. Parallels are often drawn between society's treatment of the environment, animals, or resources and its treatment of women. In resisting patriarchial culture, eco-feminists believe they are also resisting plundering and destroying the Earth. They feel that the patriarchial philosophy emphasizes the need to dominate and control unruly females and the unruly wilderness (nature and the earth).
Ecofeminism states the patriarchial society is relatively new, something developed over the last 5,000 years or so and that the matriarchial society was the first society. In this matriarchial society, women were the center of society and people worshipped Goddesses. This is known as the Feminist Eden, the time in history where women were the center of society.
Riane Eisler's book, The Chalice and the Blade, is often considered the "bible" of ecofeminism. Other books reflecting the theories of ecofeminism are: When God Was a Woman, by Marija Gimbuta and The Creation of Patriarchy, by Gerda Lerner.
Femme Feminism
A term for the type of feminism the National Organization of Women represents. This theory is based on the notion that in order for men and women to be equal, women should be granted special privilages and men should not participate in feminism.
Feminazi
This term was invented by the radio/tv host Rush Limbaugh. He defines a feminazi as a feminist who is trying to produce as many abortions as possible. Hence the term "nazi" - he sees them as trying to rid the world of a particular group of people (fetuses).
Individualist, or Libertarian Feminism
Individualist feminism is based upon individualist or libertarian (minimum government or anarchocapitalist) philosophies. The primary focus is individual autonomy, rights, liberty, independence and diversity.
Moderate Feminism
This branch of feminism tends to be populated mostly by younger women or women who have not directly experienced discrimination. They tend to question the need for further effort, and do not think that radical feminism is any longer viable and in fact rather embarrassing (it's thought that this is the group most likely to espouse feminist ideas and thoughts while denying being "feminist").
Radical Feminism
Radical feminism is the breeding ground for many of the ideas arising from feminism. Radical feminism was the cutting edge of feminist theory from approximately 1967-1975. It is no longer as universally accepted as it was then and no longer serves to solely define the term, "feminism".
This group views the oppression of women as the most fundamental form of opression, one that cuts across boundaries of race, culture, and economic class. This is a movement intent on social change, change of rather revolutionary proportions, in fact.
Radical feminism questions why women must adopt certain roles based on their biology, just as it questions why men adopt certain other roles based on theirs. Radical feminism attempts to draw lines between biologically-determined behavior and culturally-determined behavior in order to free both men and women as much as possible from their previous narrow gender roles.
Separatists
Separatists are often wrongly depicted as lesbians. These are the feminists who advocate separation from men; sometimes total, sometimes partial. Women who organize women-only events are often unfairly dubbed separatist.
The core idea is that "separating" (by various means) from men enables women to see themselves in a different context. Many feminists, whether or not separatist, think this is a necessary "first step", by which they mean a temporary separation for personal growth, not a permanent one.
It is equally inaccurate to consider all lesbians as separatist. While it is true that they do not interact with men for sexual fulfillment, it is not true that they therefore automatically shun all interaction with men.
The New Scholars in Feminism:
No, this isn't the name of a theory. This is an idea that is gaining much attention and has not yet been labled (that I know of). There are some feminism scholars emerging with loud voices and strong evidence, who feel strongly that there are no personality differences between men and women, biologically, or otherwise. I suppose you could consider these supporters the opposite of what cultural feminism is.
These new scholars are emerging from gender studies and women's studies programs in colleges all over the U.S. The majority of them believe that gender differences are a result of social and environmental influence. From what I've heard and read, thier arguments are good and scientifically based.
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Last modified in July 2003.