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Comparing and Contrasting Liberal, Socialist, and Radical Feminism

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Comparing and Contrasting Liberal, Socialist, and Radical Feminism
Comparing and Contrasting Liberal, Socialist, and Radical Feminism

In today’s society it is nearly impossible to go a day without being subjected to some form of media that does not marginalize women. The media takes a myriad of forms that include but are not limited to televisions, phones, and the radio and it is no surprise that the media has a huge impact on society. Most of the time the media is heralded as a pivotal source of news and entertainment however, many look down on the media giving it a negative stigma as being biased and dominated by males. Males are seen as so called “experts” on talk shows and are the most common voice in radio commercials. Indeed, the very media in which we engage ourselves on a daily basis reflects the foundations and beliefs of our society where in which women are seen as nothing more than sex objects that belong at home while the husband goes out to be the breadwinner.
Recently, in the past few decades, there have been movements and established groups to eradicate the male dominance that predominates in our society. These groups, known as feminists, have fervently fought for the equal rights and legal protection for all women from the tyranny of the men and gender oppression. Although there is an established stereotype that all feminists are man-haters, who believe in a lesbian lifestyle, it is important to understand that there are three different forms of Feminism perspective that have shaped the women’s movement today. Known as Liberal, Socialist, and Radical feminism, it is important to understand the differences between the three so one can ascertain each one’s unique concepts and assumptions on gender oppression. In addition, it is also important to acknowledge the individual philosophies and short comings of each feminist perspective in order to understand them entirely, and so both men and women can strive for a more just society.
The first aspect of feminism that’s going to be discussed is Liberal feminism



Cited: Cohen, Susan. "The war over the Family is not over the family." Feminism and Families. (1986): Print. Echols, Alice. Daring to Be Bad: Radical Feminism in America 1967-1975. 1. Regents of the University of Michigan, 1989. Print. Enns, Carolyn. "The Basics of Social Feminism." The Women 's Webring. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar 2011. http://www.feministezine.com/feminist/modern/THE-BASICS-OF-SOCIALIST-FEMINISM.html Hesse-Biber, S.N. (2007). Handbook of feminist research. London: Sage Puglications. Linda, Lindsey. Gender Roles: A Sociological Perspective. 5. Boston: Prenice Hall, 2011. 14-18. Print. Keohane, Nannerl. Feminist Theory: A Critique of Ideology. 2. 7. Chicago: The University of Cicago Press, 1982. Print. Rosen, Ruth. The World Split Open: How the modern women 's movement changed America. New York: Penguin Putnam, 2001. 72-75. Print

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