Subject Guides: Feminism: Feminism &amp; Feminist Theories

Feminism & Feminist Theories

A term introduced in the United States in the 1960s. It refers to a theory, an identity, and political struggle. As a social movement, lesbian feminism emerged out of movements for women's liberation, gay liberation, and the sexual revolution. As a way of thinking about sexual relationships and a form of political organizing lesbian feminism challenges the perceived normalcy of heterosexuality and male supremacy and presents alternate ways of thinking about gender and power.

O'Brien, J. (2009). Encyclopedia of gender and society. London: SAGE Publications, Inc.

2. Marxist and Socialist Feminism

Friedrich Engels' The Origin of Fam-ily (1884/1972), a fundamental text in Marxist feminism, argued that the move to private property included a shift from matriarchy to patriarchy and was the initiating point for women's subordination and oppression.

McHugh, Nancy Arden. Feminist Philosophies A-Z. Edinburgh University Press, 2007.

3. Cultural Feminism

Cultural feminism is one of the earliest forms of feminism, and it seeks to examine the differences between women and men in order to understand women's place in society.

4. Liberal Lesbianism

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