Women's Studies    3050

Radical Feminism

They see the basic division in all societies as that between men and women and clearly state that men are the oppressors of women. The term 'patriarchy' is often used to describe this systematic and universal oppression. For many radical feminists, patriarchal relations underlie all other forms of oppression - class oppression, color oppression and imperialist oppression.

• Some radical feminists see women's role in reproduction as both motivating and enabling men to take power over them,.
• Others emphasis the wish of men to control women's sexual availability or to use their unpaid domestic labor in marriage.
• Because of their common oppression, women form a social group who share common interests - common interests that override differences between them.
  They must struggle as women to overthrow patriarchy and oppression in women-only groups.
• The ultimate aim is to change gender relations fundamentally - sometimes expressed as eliminating male power, sometimes as eliminating male values in favor of female values.

Radical-Libertarian Feminism

Radical-Libertarian feminists believe that femininity and reproduction limit women's capacity to contribute to society. Women should essentially be androgynous. Radical-Libertarian feminists like to violate sexual norms and believe that women should control every aspect of their sexuality. They also advocate artificial means of reproduction so that less time is devoted to pregnancy and more time is devoted to worthwhile things. They are strong promoters of abortion, contraceptives and other forms of birth control.

Radical-Cultural Feminism

Radical-Cultural feminist views are dramatically different from Radical-Libertarian feminists views. The Radical-Cultural feminists believe that women should encompass their femininity because it is better than masculinity. Mary Daly advocates finding the “wild female within.” This type of radical feminist sees sex and penetration as male dominated. They see a link between sex, female subordination, porn, rape and abuse. These must be eliminated, according to Cultural-Radical feminists. Yet another opposing view is that reproduction is the source of power for women. They believe that men are jealous of women, and that they try to control reproduction through means of technology.

Additional Definitions of Radical Feminism:

• From:  Feminist Perspectives on Media and Technology

• Radical Feminism Theory project.wmv - YouTube

• Summary of Tong, chapter 2 by Charlotte L. Graham

• Radical feminism in 1897: Focuses on Jane Addams and the Danville women’s social reform club.