Difference feminism

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Difference feminism is a branch of feminism that stresses that men and women are essentially different beings, instead of past feminisms of equality that stress an absolute sameness between men and women. Difference feminisms may have arisen due to issues with legislation - equality feminisms may have assured that women have gotten suffrage for one, as well as other rights, but for more important and influential changes (for example, medical related support), the assertion that women are different was necessary to make. Difference feminisms can stress either the assertion of a fundamental biological difference, or an emotional difference, or both.

Feminisms of difference were popular in the second wave feminism. Difference feminism was important in responding to problems resulting to women not being given proper provision for differing needs that they may have; for example biological reasons such as for childbirth, and others.

Difference feminists subscribe to a 'pro-woman' position, which holds that sex differences do have political and social importance. This is based upon the essentialist belief that women and men are different at a psycho-biological level.

Difference feminists subscribe to the belief of fundamental equality between men and woman, and acknowledge the different qualities between the genders due to biological, cultural, and hormonal differences.