Feminist Theory Over the Last

Feminist Theory

Over the last 150 years, the overall issue of equal rights for women (feminism) has been increasingly brought to the forefront. As women refused to stand for the way they were often treated in the past, with no rights or voice in matters that concern their own lives. This would lead to the development of a number of different feminist theories to help explain the underlying philosophies and challenges facing women. (Bennett 6 -- 28) To fully understand these different theories requires conducting an annotated bibliography. Where, we examine the most relevant theories in the field of feminism. Once this takes place, it will provide the greatest insights, as to the underlying views and challenges facing women going forward.

Wood, Julia. "Liberal Feminism." Gendered Lives. Boston: Wadsworth, 2009. 78 -- 80. Print.

In this piece of literature, the author discusses the effects of liberal feminism. This is when women want to see equality in every sense of the word. Where, they are focused on supporting the idea that men and women are completely equal from: a legal as well as social stand point. As a result, the various organizations supporting these kinds of changes have been challenging the status quo through litigation to: various laws and policies that restrict the rights of women. (Wood 78 -- 80)

The information from this source is useful, because it highlights why liberal feminism has become increasingly popular. Where, many proponents want equality, based upon the merits of the individual vs. A particular gender. In this particular case, they want equality applied in every aspect of life, as men are not allowed to have any kind of unfavorable advantages over women.

Costa, Margret. "Socialist Feminism" Women and Sport. Champaign: Human Kinnetics, 1994. 246. Print.

In this piece of literature, the author discusses the impact of socialist feminism on the views of many women. Where, this philosophy is working off of a number of different principals to include: oppression based upon the economic status of the individual, genders issues that are divided along class lines (i.e. men having the social status / power over a woman's life) and a class style system that is designed to limit the economic mobility of women / their family. When you put these different elements together, it is obvious that social feminism represents a new philosophy of women's studies that was heavily influenced by Marxism.

The information from this source is useful, because it can be used to corroborate the trends that are taking place far as feminism is concerned. Where, the various viewpoints were influenced by the social and economic status of women in relation to men. As a result, this piece of literature is helpful in providing a greater understanding of how the economic issues are having an impact upon gender equality. (Costa 246)

Wood, Julia. "Radical Feminism." Gendered Lives. Boston: Wadsworth, 2009. 70 -- 73. Print.

In this piece of literature, the author discusses how the radical views of the 1960's would help give rise to new ideas that women would have about equality. As they would begin to have a number of distinct views, about evaluating the issues they were facing to include: opposition to subscribing to other popular isms, acknowledgement that male domination is the problem that affects every aspect of society, creating organizations / programs that will empower women, cutting off heterosexual relationships with men and restructuring society to protect the rights of women. These different elements are important, because they highlight how views of feminism are shaped, based upon the cultural challenges and issues that women are dealing with in contemporary society. Where, these views will be incorporated in to feminist theory, to help provide a greater understanding of the challenges facing the world around us. (Wood 70 -- 73)

The information from this source is useful, because it provides insights as to how feminist theory would evolve, based upon political and social issues at the time. Where, these views will be included in feminist thinking; helping to provide a unique way of understanding the world around us. In this aspect, the information that was provided can utilized, with the other theories to instill an appreciation, in how the changes in social views will have on impact upon feminist thinking.

Genz, Stephanie. "Postmodern Feminism." Post Modern Feminism. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University, 2009. 104 -- 124. Print.

Post modern feminists were influenced based upon the more liberalized views that would take shape in the decades after the 1960's. As many groups felt that the more extreme radical views would not help to instill the common emotions felt by women. This meant that they wanted to have their rights respect, while not having to subscribe to more radicalized thinking. As a result, this theory would develop several common attributes that would describe these views to include: all women are different and you cannot generalize the relationship of every man and woman based upon perceptions. (Genz pp. 104 -124)

The information from the source is useful, because it shows how this theory is the least extreme of all of the different ideas that have been examined. Where, it can help to explain the conflict that exists in feminism, as each woman will wrestle with the struggle for equality in many different ways. This significant, because it shows how the actual relationship of the woman with a man, will determine the views that they will have about these issues. As the underlying amounts respect that women are treated with, will play a role in deciding their overall amounts of anger and frustration they could have at society along with men in general.

Pauldi, Michele. "Global Feminism." Feminism and Women's Rights. Santa Barbara: ABC Clio, 2010. 1 -- 14. Print.