Liberal feminism

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Liberal feminism is a form of feminism that argues that equality for women can be achieved through legal means and social reform, and that men as a group need not be challenged.

Liberal feminism is a somewhat conservative or libertarian form of feminism by today’s standards, although it is rooted classically in liberalism. Liberal feminism leans towards an equality of sameness with men (not a difference feminism).

Liberal feminism conceives of politics in individualistic terms and looks to reform present "liberal" practices in society, rather than advocating for a wholesale revolutionary change. Feminist writers associated with this tradition are amongst others Mary Wollstonecraft, John Stuart Mill and second-wave feminist Betty Friedan.

[edit] Views of liberal feminists

Many liberal feminists tend to support the legalization of same-sex marriage or civil unions for same-sex couples. It is their opinion that the government has no place defining what sort of consensual relationships individuals may engage in.

Liberal feminists also tend to be pro-choice when it comes to debates concerning abortion. A common argument given for this position is that every individual should have control over his or her own body, and that this also affords them the right to make medical decisions regarding their bodies.

Because of this approach to self-ownership, liberal feminists also tend to support legalising or decriminalizing prostitution, a position often challenged by radical feminists and by the religious right. Liberal feminists tend to view the criminalization of prostitution to be a legislative act rooted in patriarchal control over the personal and business affairs of women, and thus repressive.

[edit] Sources of gender inequality

Liberal feminists tend to see the following as some of the main sources of gender inequality:

• Gender stereotype and devaluation of women
• Division of labor into women’s jobs and men’s jobs
• Low pay for women’s jobs
• Restricted entry into top positions (see glass ceiling)
• Lack of affordable child care for mothers who work outside the home
• Limitations on abortion
• Lack of support for women owned businesses
• Higher proportion of time spent doing house work and caring for children

[edit] Quotes

The goal of liberal feminism in the United States was embodied in the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was never ratified. It said, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of sex.” – Judith Lorber, Gender Inequality: Feminist Theories and Politics, Second Edition