Liberal Feminism

• Based on the liberal views of individualism and foundation equality. Promoted by white upper and middle class women. Believed the state can play a tole in liberating women by promoting legal and political equality
• Views on sex and Gender

  - Biological = inevitable, natural and unaltered

  - Equality feminists = biological differences are irrelevant, - nurture not nature

  - Difference feminists = women are biologically and culturally -different to men

  - Gender is not biological
• Views on patriarchy


  - It can be changed through gradual reform

  - Women can naturally enter all areas of workplace and gain greater rights
• Views on personal is political

  Does not seek to challenge private/domestic sphere, only focuses on public sphere
• Charlotte Perkins Gillman

  • "Women are economic factors of society" - women used to serve men
  • Men are economically superior (supports Engles reserve army)
  • Argued against Darwin's theory that women are born with additional hormones and men with additional strength
  • Equality of opportunity needed because early socialisation leads to girls taking on roles of motherhood
  • Believes only when comic relationships are equal will women be able to escape the patriarchy
• Simone de Beauvoir

  • Believes in 'otherness' which means women are seen as inferior and softer in comparison to men
  • Existentialist: freedom to choose way of life removed at birth
  • Women should also liberate themselves
• Betty Friedan

  • Kick started second wave feminism
  • Emphasised the concept of otherness in her book with the line 'is this all?'
• Changes inspired by liberal feminism

  • Equal Pay Act (1970) made it illegal to pay women lower rates for the same work
  • Sex Discrimination Act (1975) made it illegal to discriminate against women in work, education and training
  • First female PM (1979) Thatcher