Liberal feminism is an individualistic form of feminism that focuses on women's ability to fight for equality through their actions and choices. Liberal feminists argue that society has a false belief that women, by their nature, are less intellectually and physically capable than men. Thus, society discriminates against women in science, the labor market and public discussion platforms. Liberal feminists believe that "women's subordination is caused by a set of educational and legal restrictions that greatly complicate women's success." Liberal feminists strive for gender equality through their political and legal programs [1] .
Thus, the main goal of liberal feminism is the desire to obtain equal rights in different spheres of life, to gain access to the state apparatus, the desire to make choices, not obeying the will of men.
Content
History
The course of liberal feminism can be divided into two waves . The first wave arose in the middle of the 19th century and lasted until the first third of the 20th century. The main requirement of the women's movement of this wave was the possibility of obtaining higher education . Also the main important condition was the labor issue.
During the second wave, liberal feminism is gaining in popularity. There are more adherents of this movement than in any other feminist direction. This direction has developed, thanks to the influence of the views of suffragists fighting for equality of suffrage .
Representatives
- Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797), Women's Rights Protection (1792)
- John Stuart Mill (1806–1873), The Dependence of Women (1851)
- Harriet Taylor (wife of J. Mill, 1806-1858)
- Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815–1902), “Declarations of Positions and Resolutions” (1848)
- Lucy Stone (1818-1893)
- Susan Anthony (1820-1906)
- Josephine Butler (1828-1906)
- Betty Friedan (1921-2006), The Riddle of Femininity (1963)
Criticism of direction
Critics of liberal feminism argue that individualistic views do not very well explain which social structures and values work to the detriment of women's interests. They argue that even if a woman is not dependent on specific men in her life, she is still dependent on a patriarchal state. These critics believe that institutional change is not enough to liberate women [2] .
Literature
- Tishkov V. A. Studying the history of the family and the status of women in the USA // Questions of history. - 1988. - N4. - S. 54-67.
- Friedan B. The Riddle of Femininity. M., 1994. 380.
Notes
- ↑ Tong, Rosemarie. 1989. Feminist Thought: A Comprehensive Introduction. Oxon, United Kingdom: Unwin Human Ltd. Chapter 1
- ↑ Bryson, V. (1999): Feminist Debates: Issues of Theory and Political Practice (Basingstoke: Macmillan) pp. 14-15