Feminism

Just recently I had a very interesting conversation about feminism during which I was called a liberal feminist. I did not know that feminism was subdivided. Because of a sort of lack of belief that I have in subdividing different 'isms' I did not agree with it much. However, a slightly deeper probe revealed three types of feminism. And I must admit they are different enough to be classified differently.

Radical feminism is the most extreme form of feminism which believes in complete lack of reason for the male gender to exist. It goes further than that in saying that 'men' are the cause of all miseries for women. For its aggressive campagning, it also came to be popularly known as 'bra burning' feminism. This feminism especially seems applicable in today's age of sperm banking. It leaves virtually no biological requirement of men in a woman's world. Of course except in donating of sperms.

Socialist feminism believes that oppression of women began with civilization. As people settled down and began to hold 'property', the physically stronger sex created a patriarchial society that denied freedom to women. This was done in order to ensure that the male offspring that will inherit 'property' 100% belongs to it's 'father'. Socialist feminism believes that in a socialist set up where means of production and the produce itself is owned collectively by the society, question of inheritance and therefore patriarchy does not arise.

Liberal feminism wants women to be given jobs, thereby giving them financial freedom and liberating them from dependence on men. However, it is the weakest form of feminism that holds little water even against crude arguments. e.g. By stating the need to 'give' women jobs, they are being denied of any status of equality. Also the nature of these jobs as suggested by liberal feminists seems conventionally 'feminine'. And therefore, it is looked at as doing 'favours' to women rather than admitting and accepting any sort of equality between the genders.