Liberal Feminists Vs Liberal Feminism - 992 Words

Liberal feminists are not so concerned with justice, or true equality, however. Although they encourage women to challenge a male dominated society for acceptance as an equal, they do not believe that everyone possesses equal ability or an equal right to societal resources (Freidman et al., 20111, p. 5), ergo ‘justice’. Equality for liberal feminists means equal opportunity to work for what they want - to compete with men on equal terms in both professional and political arenas (Freidman et al., 20111, p. 6). As far as equality in the social arena, liberal feminists are not generally concerned with traditional gender stereotypes and sexism within present society (Freidman et al., 20111, p. 6). In contemporary Australia, women have the†¦show more content†¦They suggest that the state needs reform but does not need to be changed altogether. They suggest that the main reforms should be in the form of anti-discrimination legislation and affirmative action policy. The missing link in the basis of their viewpoint, is the research supported concept that socioeconomic poverty entrenches marginalisation and therefore unequal opportunity (Bruhn, 2011. p. 150). Lack of information and social capital building opportunity causes marginalisation, or, as Bruhn suggested, â€Å"economic, social, political and cultural disadvantage† (Bruhn, 2011, p.150), and therefore social injustice. Radical and Marxist feminism, on the other hand, are critical theories highly rejective of capitalism and patriarchical society. Critical theories suggest that there are powerful foundational systemic inequalities in societies which are perpetuated by the elite who maintain their power through the major areas of economic wealth, political privilege, and ideological influence (Smith et a., 2012, p. 37). Critical theory feminists view women’s oppression at having classist, homophobic and at times racist underpinnings (Phillips Cree, 2014, p. 936). Arising in the late 1960’s, radical feminist theory sees patriarchical society as the root of women’s oppression and marginalisation and therefore is their main concern (Freidman et al., 2011, p. 8). Radical feminism suggests individual, social and political inequalities are