Feminism Vs Radical Feminism

As a woman, I understand the challenges all women face as the go about their daily lives. In their own homes, women are often expected to all of the housework like cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. Because a man will statistically make more money than a woman of equal qualifications, women are at a disadvantage in the workplace as well. “The percentage of women at the top in job sectors ranging from government to journalism to law in the UK and US levels out at 22 per cent. Only 18 of the Fortune 500 CEOs are female”(Rhiannon and Holly). Unfortunately, women are often faced with rape and sexual assault more than men. In addition, women are blamed as the victim because of what they were wearing, how late at night they were out, or how intoxicated …show more content…
Radical feminism is the type of feminism most people think of, the most extreme type of feminism. During the late 1960’s, radical feminism stemmed from civil rights and peace movements. Over the top radical feminist believe that the oppression of women is the most fundamental oppression. They also believe the traditional family structure, where women work inside the home, caring for children, cleaning, and cooking, and men work outside the home, should be completely eliminated. It contributes to the belief that men will always have more economic power over women. The next, less extreme, type of feminism is called socialist feminism, also called Marxist feminism. “Social feminism calls for major social change, an end to capitalism through a socialist reformation of our economy”(Goodfriend). Social feminists mostly focus on economics and politics. They argue that capitalism promotes the current status of men obtaining more money and better positions at work. They might point out that women only make 70 cents for every dollar a man makes. More money gives men more power over women. Another type of feminism is cultural feminism, which promotes the idea that women’s oppression is directly tied to cultural beliefs. They believe that social change must happen at a cultural level, in our homes and communities. “There are no new ideas, just new ways of giving those ideas we cherish breath and power in our own living”(Lorde). Our children will learn from what they grow up around. For example, we tell little boys not to cry, to “be a man”. They will live their whole lives thinking masculinity is about being strong and not showing your emotions. Modern society teaches that masculine traits are aggressive and competitive. In the business world, CEOs made it where they are by being aggressive and