7 Differences between Radical Feminism and Liberal Feminism

Liberal feminism and radical feminism are the two main forms of feminism. While both advocate for equal rights to women, they differ in their ideologies, views on root of gender inequality and more. The major difference between them being that radical feminism advocates a radical shakeup of the system while liberal feminism does not campaign for a complete reorganization of the system. Here are more ways in which the two ideologies differ.

• The Root Cause of Inequality

Radical feminism views patriarchy or male supremacy as the cause of gender inequality. They see society and its institutions as innately patriarchal, with men as the ruling class and women are the subject class. Liberal feminism believes that gender inequality stems from society and legal constructs. Liberals do not believe that society is innately patriarchal and that both genders are gradually becoming equal and this trend will continue over time porno français.

• Core Beliefs

Liberals believe that all humans are equal and deserve equal rights. According to them, patriarchy ties down both women and men. On the other hand, radicals believe that patriarchy is oppressive towards women and that the male gender benefits from the subordination of women. Radical feminism believes that the domination of women by men is the oldest and worst form of oppression in the world. For example, Liberal feminism views paid labor as liberating for women and a progressive step toward gender equality. Radicals do not view paid labor as liberating. For them, women endure dual labor of salaried work and unpaid housework. The family remains patriarchal, and men benefit from the paid earnings of women and the domestic labor they provide.

• Approach to Solution

According to radical feminism, gender equality is possible through a radical restructuring of society to eradicate patriarchy. On the other hand, liberal feminism does not seek to restructure society. The liberals’ approach aims to work within the system to integrate women into the social structure and make society more responsive to women’s rights.

• Individualism versus Sisterhood

Liberal feminism bases its philosophy on the principle of individualism, where all humans have equal moral worth with entitlement to equal treatment despite their sex, color, age, race, or religion. Therefore, it focuses on individuals’ right to fight for their rights instead of fighting collectively as women. Radical feminists claim that stress mounted on “personhood’ makes it more challenging for females to reason and collaborate as brought together by their gender identity – “sisterhood.” They fear that individualism allows the male gender to impose their attributes and aspirations onto females.

• Militant versus Reformist

Radical feminism exhibits a more militant approach toward attaining gender equality. It aims to eradicate patriarchy or male supremacy from every sphere of society. Furthermore, radicals do not believe that changes in the law can bring equality because the system is innately skewed favor of men. Liberal feminism does not aim to obliterate the distinction between political and personal. It pursues a reformist approach. Liberals believe that opening public life to equal competition between both genders is crucial – it ensures equal political rights, the right to education, to vote and pursue a career, and more.

• Biological Determinism

Liberal feminists believe in biological determinism – women and men exhibit biological differences. Women are naturally suitable for specific responsibilities like childbearing, taking care of the home, and more. Radicals believe that biological roles such as childbearing cause women to skip work (maternity leave), so women fail to attain promotions as fast as men.

• Focus on Cause of Gender Inequality

Radical feminism tends to focus on the root cause of gender inequality and gender-based issues, which is patriarchy. Radicals are angry against patriarchy and the system and want a total overhaul of the political, legal, societal, and social organization associated with patriarchy. Liberals do not focus on the cause of gender inequality and believe that patriarchy is oppressive to both genders. They recognize the problem of patriarchy but believe there is a need to change that through political, legal, and social organizations.