Feminism is both an intellectual commitment and a political movement that seeks justice for women and the end of sexism in all forms. However, there are many different kinds of feminism. So some have found it useful to think of the women's movement in the US as occurring in "waves" . On the wave model, the struggle to achieve basic political rights during the period from the mid-19th century until the 1920's counts as "first wave" feminism waned between the two world wars, to be "revived" in the late 1960's and early 1970's as "second wave" feminism. The concept of 'waves' is not meant to imply that organised feminism disappeared in the intervening years, but to emphasize periods when women's movements are most visible in terms of their activities and degree of support . Feminism is a cross cutting ideology, encompassing three principle traditions: liberal, socialist and radical Although there are many different and sometimes conflicting approaches to feminist philosophy, it is instructive to begin by asking what are the main theoretical and political between first' and second' wave feminism. One of the more obvious differences between the first' and second' waves is time.
First Wave Feminism: EQUALITY
Feminist aspirations developed a political theory with the publication of Mary Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792-1985). Early feminism, particularly the first wave' of the women's movement, was deeply influenced by the ideas and values of liberalism. (Freedom, Justice, Individual, Tolerance & Reason) Liberals express this belief in the demand for equal rights. First wave feminism stresses equality, rights, liberation and emancipation. Mary Wollstonecraft argued, that women should be entitled to the same rights and privileges as men. On the grounds that they are human beings', claiming the distinction of sex' would become unimportant in
Bibliography: Heywood, A.(1998) ‘Feminism ' Political Ideologies Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan