Feminism is a diverse political and intellectual movement chiefly developed by women, but having increasing influence with both sexes, that seeks to criticize, re-evaluate and transform the place of women in social organization and in culture. A major area of concern to feminism is the recovery and articulation of women's' experience in history and in contemporary societies and a wholesale reconstruction of the fundamental intellectual assumptions of social practices. Inclusivity is a core part of feminism. The phrases ‘intersectionality’ or ‘intersectional feminism’ are being heard more often now. Intersectionality has also taken on more space in public discussions about feminism.
Marxist Feminism is a form of feminism which believes that women's oppression is a symptom of oppression. Radical Feminism is relatively recent and differs from traditional Marxism in arguing that women's oppression is harder to transform. Women's Equity Action League are Liberal feminism groups created to further Women's Movements, Women's Liberation Theory and women's rights. Socialist Feminism examines women's social situation as shaped by both patriarchy.
Women's Movements goal has been, and continues to be, the elimination of the patriarchal nature of society. Two large waves of feminist organization can be identified, the first following the French Revolution and extending the principles of liberty and freedom to women. This period is associated with Mary Wollstonecraft. The second can be identified with French writer Simone De Beauvoir's The Second Sex in 1952 and, in North America, with the publication of Betty Friedan's book, The Feminine Mystique, in 1963.
FEMINIST THEORY
While there is not a single feminist theory, central to all such theories is an attempt to
understand the social, economic and political position of women in society, with a view to
liberation. Feminist theory has challenged the claims to objectivity of previous social
science and by examining society from women's position has called much social science into
question as being male-centred and a component of the hegemonic rule of patriarchy.
DIFFERENCE
FEMINISM
A form of feminism which rejects the belief that the differences between men and women are
socially constructed or are established through socialization. Rather, it believes men and
women are different in essence and that these differences arise from differing human
natures.
STANDPOINT
FEMINISM
A perspective influenced by the sociology of
knowledge that claims less powerful members of society are able to achieve a more
complete view of social reality than are others. Less powerful groups, like women and
minorities, may be less incorporated into the reward system of society and more clear
sighted and critical about its inequalities and deficiencies. The sociology of knowledge
assumption behind this is the idea that knowledge is socially constructed and shaped by
the social position occupied by the knower. It follows then that the point of view of the
researcher is also shaped by their position in society and standpoint feminism
acknowledges this and claims for it a positive role in contributing to a rounded
understanding of the character of the society.